A 3rd-Century Inscription Challenges Long-Held Beliefs About Christian Origins
In a remarkable archaeological find that’s making waves in both historical and religious circles, researchers in Israel have uncovered the earliest physical evidence outside the Bible that confirms Jesus was worshipped as God not just revered as a teacher or prophet.
📍 Found Beneath Megiddo Prison
The discovery took place beneath Megiddo Prison, located near an ancient Roman settlement in northern Israel. There, archaeologists unearthed the remains of what appears to be one of the oldest known Christian prayer halls, dating to around 230 A.D.
Among the ruins was a mosaic inscription bearing the words:
“To God, Jesus Christ.”
This simple yet profound dedication may be the earliest known archaeological evidence of Jesus being directly addressed as God decades before Christianity became a recognized religion within the Roman Empire.
🕊️ Why This Matters: Earlier Than the Council of Nicaea
This discovery predates the Council of Nicaea by over 100 years. The Council, held in 325 A.D., is often cited by skeptics as the moment when the Church “invented” or officially defined Jesus’s divinity.
But this mosaic tells a different story:
It shows that early Christians were already worshipping Jesus as divine long before Christianity became an imperial religion or theological doctrine was standardized.
🔎 A Look at Early Christian Faith
This find reinforces what many historians and theologians have long suggested that the belief in Jesus as divine was not a later development, but central to Christian identity from its earliest days.
It’s also a rare, tangible glimpse into the lives of ordinary early believers. The structure itself likely served as a modest house of worship for Roman soldiers or local residents people who risked persecution for their faith, yet still gathered to honor Jesus as “God, Christ.”
✝️ A Message Written in Stone
This ancient mosaic isn’t just a piece of art. It’s a declaration etched into stone by real people nearly 1,800 years ago of a belief that shaped civilizations and still inspires millions today.
As more excavations continue at Megiddo and across the region, who knows what other secrets from the early Church may still lie hidden beneath our feet?
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