Rome is in error when it claims to have its priesthood prior to the founding of the priesthood in Britain. None of the twelve Apostles were priests, as far as we know. Only priests belonging to prominent families were members of the Sanhedrin (bet din). A prominent family was one whose lineages could be traced back to Horite ruler-priests (what Jews call their Horim). These members of the Sanhedrin served under the presidency of the high priest much as priests today served under the presidency of their bishop. The high priest bore the title nasi (ruler, king, prince) and retained this even after the presidency was transferred to other hands. Similarly, in Anglican orders a bishop remains a bishop even after he has stepped down from serving in that office. The second in charge was a ruler-priest who was called ab bet din (father of the court). The role of the ab bet din appears to have been a combination of the roles of the Bishops chaplain and the chancellor of the Diocese who serves as the chief legal consultant to the Bishop. The third century Rabbi Johanan enumerates the qualifications of the members of the Sanhedrin as follows: they must be tall, of imposing appearance, of advanced age, and scholars. They were also required to be adept in the use of foreign languages. The only followers of Jesus that are known to be members of the Sanhedrin were James the Just, Nicodemus, and Joseph bouleutēs (honorable counselor). Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, was waiting for the kingdom of God according to Mark 15:43. He is designated Joseph Hari-Mathea, that is, Joseph of the Horite line of Matthew. Apparently, he had business and family connections in the British Isles. Eusebius of Caesarea (AD 260–340) may have been referring to this connection in Demonstratio Evangelica when he reports that some of Jesus earliest disciples have crossed the Ocean and reached the Isles of Britain. Since a qualification of membership in the Sanhedrin was facility of languages, Joseph would have been able to communicate with the people of Britain. As a ruler-priest Joseph would have appointed men who were qualified to serve as priests in Britain. Being of advanced age, he would have been older than Jesus and the disciples. This suggests that the priesthood came to Britain very early and is older than generally supposed. It must be nearly as early as the episcopacy of Evodius of Antioch (53–69 A.D.) and the episcopacy of James the Just of Jerusalem (d. 69 A.D.), but would likely precede the episcopacy of Linus of Rome (67-79 AD). Further, the legend about Joseph of Hari-Mathea coming to Britain has basis in science. Genetic studies have confirmed that the Horite Ainu dispersed widely across the ancient world. Some came to the British Isles, Scandinavia and Finland. From there some migrated to Greenland, Labrador and Eastern Canada where they came to be called Micmac by the French.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:47:35 +0000
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