Written in Stone

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, Author Gerd Eichmann
(CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

Early Christians at first met in individual homes.  The oldest building known to have housed a Christian church was constructed between 293 and 303 AD in Aqaba, Jordan [1].

This structure predates the famous Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, both of which date from the 320s AD [2][3].

Another 3rd or 4th Century church has been located beneath a modern prison in Megiddo [4][5].  Plans are underway to move the prison, so that full-scale excavations can proceed.

Greek mosaics have been found here, including one inscribed “to the memory of the Lord, Jesus Christ.”  This is believed to be the earliest mosaic dedicated to Christ.

That is not the only concrete evidence for our faith.

The Christian Broadcasting Network has produced a video titled “Written in Stone:  Kings and Prophets” which outlines some of the archaeological discoveries made in and around the Holy Land which support the biblical account of history [6].

Though thousands of facts contained in the Bible can no longer be proven because of the passage of time, the Bible has been vindicated again and again [7][8].

Christians know, of course, that the Bible is the inerrant, revealed Word of God.  It does not require “verification” by archaeology or otherwise.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3: 16-17).

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[1]  Guinness World Records, “First purpose-built church”, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-purpose-built-church.

[2]  Wikipedia, “Church of the Nativity”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Nativity.

[3]  Wikipedia, “Church of the Holy Sepulchre”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre.

[4]  C4i – Israel:  the Prophetic Connection, June 22 Edition, “Earliest mosaic in Israel dedicated to Jesus may soon be sprung from prison” by Amanda Borschel-Dan (3/28/22).

[5]  Wikipedia, “Megiddo church (Israel)”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megiddo_church_(Israel).

[6]  Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), “Written in Stone:  Kings and Prophets”, https://www.cbn.com/giving/special/kingsandprophetsdvd.aspx.

[7]  Answers in Genesis, “Chapter 25 – Does Archaeology Support the Bible?” by Clifford Wilson, 8/27/14, https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/does-archaeology-support-the-bible/.

[8]  Crossway, “10 Crucial Archaeological Discoveries Related to the Bible” by John Currid, 4/26/18, https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-crucial-archaeological-discoveries-related-to-the-bible/.

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