THE GENEALOGY OF PAUL

By Don Hollifield

This study combines historical data with Biblical facts plus some analysis of my own. The study will also attempt to answer the following questions about Paul.

1. How did Paul, a Benjamite born in Tarsus, become a Roman citizen?
2. Why did Emperor Claudius pardon Paul when he was sent to Rome to be tried and executed?
3. What happened to Paul during the 4 to 5 years missing after his release?
4. What connection to royalty did Paul have?
5. Why was Paul so concerned about Aquilla and Priscilla?
6. Did Paul have a brother?
7. What was the relationship between Paul and Timothy?
8. How did Paul die?
9. What happened to the bodies of Paul and Peter?

The genealogy of Paul begins with possibly the most powerful and richest Senator in Rome, Senator Prudentius. The senator had married a much younger girl, named Priscilla, probably a Jewish girl. Soon after their marriage, she gave birth to a son named Rufus Prudentius, or Rufus Prudens in the Greek, also mentioned in the Bible. Shortly after their son's birth, Senator Prudentius died.

According to Jewish tradition, when a woman is widowed, the nearest male relative is responsible for finding a husband for the woman. As such, Pricilla remarried, this time to a man from the tribe of Benjamin, named Aquilla. They also had a son, born in Tarsus and his name was Saul. Rufus and Saul were half brothers.

This is also verified by Paul in his letter to the Romans: Romans 16v13: Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord and his mother and mine...

Roman records reveal that Priscilla was the mother of both Rufus and Paul. I would imagine that Rufus was 2 or 3 years older than Saul. And as you know Paul was one year older that Jesus. Aquilla and Priscilla are not mentioned in the Bible as being the parents of Paul due to the concern for their safety. The Apostles probably knew, but they did not mention it as they also kept the names of their parents to themselves for the same reason.

I would also like to call your attention to a previous verse:

Romans 16v10: Salute Apellis, approved in Christ. Salute them which are of the Aristobulus household. Aristobulus is the Roman name of Peter's father-in-law. The family of Peter's wife was in Rome including Peter's wife. But Peter is not mentioned. Why? And where could Peter be?

The book of Romans was written in 58 AD. This date is important and will be covered later. Now we know how Paul being Jewish from the tribe of Benjamin and born in Tarsus, was also a Roman citizen, since his mother was a Roman citizen,

This also explains Paul's concern for Aquilla and Priscilla: Acts 18v1-3: After these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth. V2: And found a certain Jew named Aquilla, born in Pontus, lately came from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Laudus had commanded all Jews from Rome.

Due to the disturbances caused by the Christians, Emperor Claudius ordered all Jews from the city of Rome in 52 AD. Aquilla and Priscilla probably remained and had to be told by Claudius himself before they left, several months later. Rufus is now the complete owner of Senator Prudentius wealth.

V3: And because he (Paul) was of the same craft, he abode with them and wrought for their occupations. They were tent makers. Since Aquilla had taught Saul the craft of tent making, it is only natural for them to work together in the same trade. Also since Aquilla and Priscilla had previously left Rome they would have known that Peter had also left Rome and the family of his wife had remained when Claudius had ordered the Jews from Rome in 52 AD.

Since the letter to the Romans was written in 58 AD, Paul mentioned Peter's in-laws but did not mention Peter himself. I could not find anything in history about Peter other than he may have journeyed north into the Baltic nations and into Russia. Is it possible that Peter preached in Russia at a small fishing village and the location was named after him? Is it possible that Peter preached in Saint Petersburg? Very possible.

When Lenin, an atheist, became the ruler of Russia, he could not stand for the most beautiful city in Russia to be named after an Apostle of Jesus. He changed the name of the city from Saint Petersburg to Leningrad. He also had historical documents concerning Christianity destroyed, possibly evidence of Paul's visit.

Acts18v18-19: And Paul tarried there (Corinth) yet a good while, and he took leave of the brethren and sailed to Syria, and took with him Priscilla and Aquilla, having shorn his head in Cenchrea for he made a vow. V19: And he came to Ephesus and left them there.

Paul left his parents Priscilla and Aquilla there in Ephesus. But why? Also, Paul had shaved his head which is a means of verifying a vow. And since the vow was in the same sentence dealing with Priscilla and Aquilla, the vow must have been to them or for them. But why did Paul leave his parents at Ephesus?

Also note that Timothy resides in Ephesus as recorded in: 1 Timothy 1v1-2: Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith, grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. V3: As I brought thee to abide in Ephesus... Paul personally brought Timothy to abide in Ephesus. Why? Later.

Let us continue with: Acts 18v25-26: This man (a Jew named Apollis) was instructed in the way of the Lord and being fervent in the spirit, and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. V26: And he began to speak boldly in the synagogues whom Aquilla and Priscilla had heard. They took him to them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. The mother and father of Paul would certainly have known, "The way of God more perfectly."

Paul writes in: 1 Corinthians 16v19: The churches of Asia salute you. Aquilla and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord with the church that is in their house. I repeat, "With the Church that is in their house."

Three years after the crucifixion of Christ, several Christian leaders were exiled from Judah. Peter moved his family and Church to Antioch. The following year, Jesus converted Paul on the way to Damascus. Peter then met Paul and they became great friends. Five years later in 42 AD, ten years before the Jewish people were forbidden to live in Rome. Peter moved his family and Church to Rome in a portion of the home of Aquilla and Priscilla, Paul's parents. The Church truly was in the house of Aquilla and Priscilla.

Now let's examine some of the people that had an impact on both Paul and Christianity. Joseph of Arimathea is recorded in the Royal History of England as converting King Caractacus and his family to Christianity. As a result, Britain was acclaimed to be a Christian nation before the invasion of the Roman Army.

After two years of ceaseless fighting, Emperor Claudius offered a six month truce to seek peace through an armistice. As an inducement to peace, the emperor offered his daughter, Venus to the king's son and Commander-in-Chief, Duke Arviragus. In turn King Caractacus offered his younger daughter, Gladys to the emperor's Commander-in-Chief, Aulus Plautius.

After a short period, war resumed and King Caractacus was betrayed resulting in the Romans capturing the king and his immediate family. King Caractacus and his family were take to Rome where he was tried as a war criminal. The king and his family spoke fluent Latin and during his trial, he emphasized that he was not defeated, but captured only because he was betrayed. King Caractacus was greatly respected and was set free providing he and his family remained in Rome for seven years on parole. And upon returning to Britain, he must vow never again to bear arms against the Romans. Which he obeyed.

After the pardon, a close relationship developed between King Caractacus and Emperor Claudius. Claudius greatly admired the character and beauty of the king's daughter, Gladys, named after her aunt. Claudius then adopted Gladys for his daughter and renamed her Claudia. Also, it is possible this may have been a ploy to insure King Caractacus remained true to his vow, "Never to bear arms against the Romans."

Claudius may have also kept Linus, the king's son, since he is mentioned in the Bible as being in Rome; or Linus may have departed with his father and later returned.

One year later, Claudia was given in marriage to Rufus Prudentius; the son of Priscilla and the demised Senator Prudentius and the half brother to Paul. Since Rufus was the heir to the vast estate of his father, he later gave a portion of it to Peter for the Church of Rome and headquarters of the Christian Church. Also the home of Aquilla and Priscilla.

Now the study gets interesting. Rufus and Claudia had a son and his name was Timotheus. It's written in the Church of Rome that Paul called him Timothy and helped raise him on his knee. Paul loved him as a son.

This immediately threw up a red flag. Every time I come upon what may be a coincidence in Biblical events, I immediately have my concerns. Is it coincidence or is there more than what meets the eye? The question is: "Is it possible that Paul's half nephew is the same Timotheus or Timothy as recorded in the New Testament? Very possibly: Yes. What I am now going to cover is strictly my own analysis, but let us examine scripture for a possible answer.

Timotheus is mentioned 17 times in the New Testament: 6 times by Luke in the Book of Acts, and 11 times by Paul in various other books. However, Timothy is only mentioned 6 times and each time by Paul only.

We know according to: Acts 16v1: And behold, a certain disciple was there named Timotheus. The son of a certain woman which was Jewish, and believed his father was Greek.

We know that Timothy's mother was Jewish since she came from the royal family of the British King. British Royalty can be traced to King David. Queen Elizabeth II is the 144th descendent of King David and the 12th descendent of King James.

Also, since Paul's father was Greek and his mother was Roman, Paul had dual citizenship. Timotheus is called "Brethren" twice, which is a widely used word, meaning brother, like brother, like family or like a close relative.

Timothy on the other hand was called "Brother" 3 times by Paul only when included in different Epistles to different Churches, but Timothy is only called "Son" when directly addressed to Timothy in the Epistles of Timothy.

There is far more evidence that Timothy was Paul's half nephew. Now let us examine the cog in the wheel that disputes the above analysis in: 2 Timothy 1v3-5: I thank God whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience and without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day. V4: Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with Joy. V5: When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and that I am persuaded in thee also.

Now let us examine these verses:
1. Why is Timothy in Paul's prayer night and day? This certainly indicates there is a greater concern that Paul has for Timothy than just one of his disciples.
2. Why is Paul mindful of Timothy's tears? This would certainly show the love Timothy has for his uncle who is imprisoned in Rome destined to die a terrible death.
3. Paul identifies Timothy's mother as being Eunice and his grandmother as Lois.

First of all, how did Paul know who his mother and grandmother were? Do you know the names of your friend's mother and grandmother? This is very doubtful, but Paul would certainly know them if Timothy was his half nephew. Also, back in Biblical days, everyone had more than one name, usually according to various languages.

I was stationed in England for 7 years, and the name Eunice and Lois are very common throughout the British Isles. So Timothy's mother was probably named Lois, but was also called Gladys after his aunt.

Now let us examine some of the mysteries of Paul's genealogy and some of his actions:
1. When Paul left his parents in Ephesus, they were left with Timothy, Priscilla's grandson.
2. This also explains why Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus. It may also have been related to the vow that Paul took.
3. Paul addressed him as Son because he loved him as a son and helped raise him.
4. When Paul was in prison condemned to die in 66/67 AD, Paul begs Timothy to visit him 3 different times in 2 Timothy 4v9, v11 and v21.

Now let's examine: 2 Timothy 4v21: Do thou dilligence to come before winter. Eubulus, greeteth thee, and Prudens, and Linus, and Claudia and all thy brethren.

"Ebulus" is short for Aristobulus, Peter's father-in-law. Arisobulus had returned to Rome from England where he is recorded as preaching the word of God. Aristobulus probably returned to Rome after hearing that Peter had been captured and condemned to die. Then Paul mentions Prudens (Greek for Prudentius), Linus and Claudia, which would be the names of Timothy's father, uncle and mother. If Timothy was not Paul's half nephew, why would he mention these names???

It is interesting to note that Linus became the head of the Church of Rome following the death of Peter. Linus is also known as the Second Pope succeeding Peter. I certainly have my doubts, but I also have far stronger convictions. There are too many facts to be ignored, I believe.

Also see Act's 23v16 concerning Paul's sister's son which would be Timothy. In 61/62 AD, Paul was captured and sent to Rome for trial and execution, but the Emperor pardoned him. Why?

I can only assume that his political influence with the Emperor influenced his release. Also, his half-brother Rufus was a powerful and rich person. But what happened to Paul after his release from prison. He did not travel back to the Holy Land which may have been part of a condition for his release.

According to the Lost Chapter of the Book of Acts, chapter 29, Paul with a small group of followers which probably included Luke, traveled and preached in Spain, Britain, Gaul (France), Helvetia (Switzerland), and Illtricum (Yugoslavia) .

Why was Chapter 29 omitted from the Bible? I can only conclude that it was political. Both France and Italy are very jealous of Brittan as demonstrated throughout history.

It is most interesting to read of Paul's preaching in England: Acts 29v9: And on the morrow he came and stood on Mount Lud (Lud Hill) and the people thronged at the gate. And assembled in the broadway. And he preached Christ unto them, and they believed the word and testimony of Jesus.

There must have been a gate between the bottom of Lud Hill and the broadway which would be an open area or an open area for passage. Today, Saint Paul's Cathedral stands on the corner of Lud hill Road and Broadway Avenue. According to the history of the Cathedral, it stands on the very spot that Paul preached to the assembly. This is the same Saint Paul's Cathedral that Queen Elizabeth was married in!

Paul was later captured and returned to Rome, but since Paul was a Roman citizen, by law he could not be crucified, nor could he be executed in the city of Rome.

Peter was also in prison at the same time, but was held in a pit of human waste, 9 months before his execution. This pit was about 5 or 6 feet wide and 8 to 10 feet deep. They would place a prisoner in this pit, pass down food to him and keep the top covered so he could not see daylight while there. After approximately 2 weeks the prisoner would go start raving mad. Then they would turn him lose in the arena. Being blinded by the sun light he would scream and yell running and falling as they would chase him by a gladiator on a horse. Sometimes they would turn a wild animal lose to chase and kill him. It was a special attraction for the audience.

You can see the hand of God as Peter remained sane and healthy for 9 months. In Catholic records, Peter converted two of his jailers plus 46 other prisoners while there. The converted jailers must have allowed Peter some freedom within the prison, or how could he have converted the other prisoners?

Paul remained in prison for over a year before his head was chopped off just outside the city of Rome on the same day that Peter was crucified upside down in the year of 67 AD. The Church of Saint Paul of Rome stands on the very spot that Paul was beheaded. Paul was 68 years of age and Peter was 77. According to Roman records, the bodies of both Paul and Peter were divided into three parts with their parts being buried in three different locations.

Catholic records state that Paul was divided into 3 parts, but only states that Peter was buried in Rome. The Romans must have heard how Jesus had arisen from the dead and they wanted to be sure that these two did not follow suit.

Paul is also recorded as being buried at the Church of Saint Paul of Rome, while Peter is buried in the Holy Catholic Cemetery of Saints. When Constantine became ruler of the Roman empire, he declared Christianity the official religion of the empire. He also sent teams of men to the various places where the Apostles were buried and had them exhumed and brought to Rome for a proper burial. In all probability, he had the body parts of Paul and Peter dug up and also given a proper burial.