World’s First Christian Church?
Could be, according to archaeologists.
Archaeologists in Jordan have unearthed what they claim is the world’s first church, dating back almost 2,000 years, The Jordan Times reported on Tuesday.
"We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33 AD to 70 AD," the head of Jordan’s Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies, Abdul Qader al-Husan, said.
He said it was uncovered under Saint Georgeous Church, which itself dates back to 230 AD, in Rihab in northern Jordan near the Syrian border.
"We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians — the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ," Husan said.
These Christians, who are described in a mosaic as "the 70 beloved by God and Divine," are said to have fled persecution in Jerusalem and founded churches in northern Jordan, Husan added.
He cited historical sources which suggest they both lived and practised religious rituals in the underground church and only left it after Christianity was embraced by Roman rulers.
[tags]Jordan,Christianity,Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies,Abdul Qader al-Husan,archaeology[/tags]
Filed under: Christianity • Doug • Religion
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Is there any evidence of a baptismal pool?
Couldn’t tell ya’, though they were known to just use any nearby river, eh?
Baptismal pools date back prior to christ, so that would not validate the claim. I would like to see or at least read about the “Evidence” that supports this.
I tend to doubt this find since the book of acts shows that the early church used the goverment buildings, temples, and homes to openly debate christ with the “other” religions in the area.
It seems that from reading that the real first churches were actualy the homes of the new converts.