Megiddo mosaic (Museum of the Bible press release)
Israel365News posted the following:
‘Greatest discovery since Dead Sea Scrolls,’ Megiddo mosaic goes on view at Bible Museum in DC
For hundreds of years, a mosaic lay hidden in Megiddo in northern Israel until, in 2005, it was found and preserved as a local prison sought to expand. The mosaic recently made the trip—in nearly a dozen pieces—across the ocean to Washington, D.C., where it is on exhibit at the Museum of the Bible.
At an opening reception for the exhibit on Sunday afternoon, Carlos Campo, CEO of the museum, said that the mosaic, which dates to around the year 230, like an Impressionist show that opened recently at the nearby National Gallery of Art, requires stepping back to take in the broader, unifying picture.
“Frankly, I’m still stepping back, because as I step back, I learn more about the power of this object and what it’s trying to say to me about ancient history, about the history of Christianity, about the place in Israel and so much more,” Campo said.
“This object really is a way for us to come together—a way for us to see that these tiny little tesserae, these tiny little chips, these beautiful pieces when placed together—they tell a remarkable story of unity,” he told those assembled. “We truly are among the first people to ever see this, to experience what almost 2,000 years ago was put together by a man named Brutius, the incredible craftsman who laid the flooring here.” …
The mosaic, which contains a very early mention of the name of Jesus and includes an illustration of two fish, as well as a variety of geometric patterns, is “the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls,” Campo said. (The exhibit “The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith” is on view until July 6, 2025.)
Gil Lin, the head of the Megiddo Regional Council, agreed in his address at the reception.
“The Megiddo mosaic represents the most significant archaeological find since the Dead Sea Scrolls,” Lin said. “This mosaic, nearly 1,800 years old, is the earliest known house of prayer and the first physical proclamation of Jesus Christ as God. For billions worldwide, it’s not merely an artifact but a tangible link to shared history, tradition and faith.” …
He noted that the symbol of the fish in the center of the mosaic, which scholars think may refer to fish as symbols of Christianity, is on display in Washington as the High Holidays approach, and that the fish head is a Rosh Hashanah symbol for “a new beginning and a good start.”
“This definitely is time for this, too,” he said.
Also in line with the approaching Rosh Hashanah holiday, there was a recitation of the Shehechiyanu blessing at the ribbon cutting that opened the show. 09/17/24 https://israel365news.com/396234/greatest-discovery-since-dead-sea-scrolls-megiddo-mosaic-goes-on-view-at-bible-museum-in-dc/
In its press release about it, the Museum of the Bible had the following:
Megiddo mosaic
(Museum of the Bible press release)
According to Alegre Savariego, curator of the exhibition on behalf of the IAA, “The mosaic presents groundbreaking physical evidence of the practices and beliefs of early Christians, including the first archaeological instance of the phrase, ‘God Jesus Christ.’ Also featured on the mosaic are one of the earliest examples of a fish being used as a Christian symbol and the names of several of the church’s patrons — a Roman centurion, an artist, and five women.” 08/19/24 https://www.museumofthebible.org/newsroom/museum-of-the-bible-to-premiere-megiddo-mosaic
Whether or not this mosaic was prepared by true or false Christians is not yet clear to me. The mosaic does not contain any clear crosses, however, as even the Greco-Roman professors of Jesus were not commonly using them as a symbol until after Emperor Constantine of the 4th century.
I asked Meta.ai for a translation of what is on the mosaic, and here is what it replied with:
The Megiddo Mosaic contains additional inscriptions beyond what I initially provided. Here is a more comprehensive translation:
Main Inscription:
“The God-loving Akeptous has offered this table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial.”Donor Inscriptions:
“Akeptous, also called Justus, son of Publius, constructed [this].”
“[I,] Akeptous, made [this] for salvation.”
“Ektropos and Eutropos and Eusebios and Brennanios, presbyters, made [this].”
Other Inscriptions:
“In the year 292, the fourth indiction.”
“[This] is the tomb of the martyrs.”
Additional Fragments:
A partially preserved inscription mentioning “the bishop [or overseer] Theodoros.”
Another fragmentary inscription possibly referring to “the church.”
Keep in mind that:
Some parts of the mosaic are damaged or incomplete.
Translations may vary slightly depending on the source.
Different scholars might interpret certain words or phrases differently.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult academic publications or reputable archaeological sources.
Would you like more details on the historical context or significance of the Megiddo Mosaic?
I then asked, “Who was bishop Theodoros?” Meta.ai responded with:
Bishop Theodoros, mentioned in the Megiddo Mosaic, is not extensively documented in historical records, …
Historical Context:
Bishop Theodoros likely lived during the late 3rd or early 4th century AD, a period of significant Christian growth and development. The Megiddo Mosaic, dated to around 292 AD, provides valuable insight into the early Christian community in the region.
Early Church Hierarchy:
As a bishop, Theodoros would have played a crucial role in the early Christian church, overseeing local congregations and guiding the community.
Limited Information:
Unfortunately, the historical record provides limited information about Bishop Theodoros’ life, teachings, or accomplishments.
Scholarly Debates:
Some scholars debate:
Whether Theodoros was a prominent figure or a local bishop.
The accuracy of identifying him with known historical figures.
It is not clear if Theodoros was a faithful leader or not. Because donors were listed on the mosaic, it would suggest not.
Why? Because Jesus taught:
1 Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. (Matthew 6:1-4)
That said, one reason to mention the Megiddo mosaic was because of the statement, “God Jesus Christ.”
Furthermore, there is much earlier evidence outside of the Bible that Christians considered that Jesus was God.
Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, and also God according to various Christian and professing Christian writers of the second century. And they also taught that He always had existed.
In “the oldest complete Christian sermon that has survived” (Holmes M.W. The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations, 2nd ed. Baker Books, Grand Rapids, 2004, p. 102)–outside those in the Bible–sometimes erroneously referred to as Second Letter of Clement, it seems to support binitarianism. It was given perhaps with a year or so of John’s death (thus may be towards the end of the first century A.D.), begins with the following:
Brothers, we ought so to think of Jesus Christ, as of God, as “Judge of the living and the dead” (An Ancient Christian Sermon (2 Clement), 1:1. In Holmes M.W. The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations, 2nd ed. Baker Books, Grand Rapids, 2004, p. 107)
Ignatius, who was known by Polycarp (and praised in this same Polycarp epistle, which is known as Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians), wrote around 108-120 A.D.:
For our God, Jesus Christ, was conceived by Mary in accord with God’s plan: of the seed of David, it is true, but also of the Holy Spirit. He was born and baptized so that by His submission He might purify the water (Ignatius of Antioch, Letters to the Ephesians 18,2–note this is translated the same by at least three separate translations as done by Dr. Lightfoot, J.H. Srawley, and Roberts & Donaldson).
Polycarp of Smyrna, in the mid-second century, wrote:
But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord and God Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Chapter 12 modified by R. Thiel to correct omission in translation).
For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist (Polycarp, Chapter VII. Letter to the Philippians. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).
Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the dead (Polycarp, Chapter IX. Letter to the Philippians. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).
Melito of Sardis wrote:
For the deeds done by Christ after His baptism, and especially His miracles, gave indication and assurance to the world of the Deity hidden in His flesh. For, being at once both God and perfect man likewise…He concealed the signs of His Deity, although He was the true God existing before all ages (Melito. On the Nature of Christ. From Roberts and Donaldson).
These are the apparent positions of all groups that I am aware of that profess any form of Christianity, except those that are unitarian or affiliated with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thus, early Christians believed and taught that Jesus is God. Regarding Melito’s statement about the Deity hidden in Christ’s flesh after baptism, recall that Jesus taught that it was the Father in Him that did the works, and hence it was not Jesus’ deity that did them (John 14:10).
Even heretics in the second century, like Irenaeus, realized that Jesus was God. Notice excerpts from two of Irenaeus‘ writings:
…there is none other called God by the Scriptures except the Father of all, and the Son, and those who possess the adoption (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book IV, Preface, Verse 4. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).
Thus then the Word of God in all things hath the pre-eminence; for that He is true man and Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God. Jesus the Anointed of God, showing Himself to be the One who was proclaimed beforehand by the prophets (Irenaeus, St., Bishop of Lyon. Translated from the Armenian by Armitage Robinson. The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching. Wells, Somerset, Oct. 1879. As published in SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN CO, 1920).
The fact that various ones in the second century taught that Jesus was God should help dispel the false unitarian position that He was not and that early professors of Christ did not accept Jesus’ deity.
Anyway, the Megiddo mosaic in the third century also supports the view that professors of Christ accepted the fact of Jesus’ divinity.
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