Compelling Evidence

In the ninth chapter of the book of Acts, we can see how God raised up His people to further the growth of the first-century Church. We can find these words:
26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.
29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.
30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Yes, I can understand the skepticism that the early disciples had about Saul, later called Paul - after all, he was a leading persecutor of the Church.  But, he began to win their trust as he preached the gospel of Christ.  Peter, John, Barnabas, Silas, and the apostle Paul - these and so many other provided leadership who sustained the early Church.  We can be thankful for believers throughout the years who have been used of the Lord, who dared step out in faith and continued in the way that God had shown them.

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One of the notable things you notice in the book of Acts is the activity of God through His people - in the faith practice of the early Church and the fervent proclamation of the gospel. In Acts 4, we can see these encouraging words:
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

It's quite an astonishing discovery, and even though there has been a bit of controversy regarding where it may be on display, that should not take away from its significance.  And, it has to do with the early Church.

It's called the Megiddo Mosaic. WORLD Magazine notes:

Archeologists discovered the mosaic in 2005 while clearing the ground to expand an Israeli prison. The centuries-old decorated floor was the site of one of the oldest Christian prayer halls. The mosaic contains one of the earliest references to Jesus as God and currently sits where some Christians believe Armageddon will take place.

The article reported that the Israel Antiquities Authority has been "considering lending the Megiddo Mosaic to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C." But, as WORLD states, "some secular academics have said they oppose the Museum of the Bible getting the mosaic, or even moving the mosaic in any way."

Last year, The Jerusalem Post reported:

The mosaic was excavated between 2004 and 2008 in an Israel Antiquities Authority salvage dig ordered by the Israel Prison Service (IPS) before it began construction of a new prison wing. It is thought to have been part of an early Christian prayer house and includes a Greek inscription dedicated “to the God Jesus Christ.”

The article said that the mosaic was found at the Megiddo Prison. It went on to report: "The inscription on the north side was dedicated to an army officer...who contributed the mosaic floor. The east inscription is dedicated to the memory of four women...," adding, "The name Akaptos is memorialized in the western inscription as 'Lover of God who contributed the altar to the God Jesus Christos, as a memorial.'”

Dr. Yotam Tepper of the Israel Antiquities Authority supervised the dig and is quoted in the article, which says:

Finds from the site area – including remains from a Roman period Jewish village having both Jewish and Samaritan residents, a Roman army legion camp and a Roman-Byzantine city – indicate the presence of diverse cultural, religious and ethnic population groups, he said.

Archaeological evidence also points to an early Christian community – whose members included Roman army officers – and tells the story of Christianity before it became the official religion of the empire.

The mosaic is named after the site at which it was found - the area of Megiddo. Faithwire reports:

As explained by GotQuestions, Megiddo has been predicted as the location of Armageddon, the coming battle between Jesus and the forces of evil in this world. The word “Armageddon” originally comes from the Hebrew “Har-Magedone,” which is translated to “Mount Megiddo.”

This is certainly an amazing discovery, and it will be interesting to see where it ends up - at the current site, or perhaps in Washington at Museum of the Bible.  But, again, while "where" it was found is certainly interesting, "where" it will end up has become a story in and of itself.  But, that aspect should not overshadow what is contained within it - a clear affirmation of the presence of Christianity in the Roman world.  A declaration of the Lordship and divinity of Jesus Himself. 

This discovery lends credence to the pages of the Scriptures, which reported on the First Century spread of Christianity. It's evidence of the Biblical account of the early Church. It is evidence of the authority of Scripture. 

And, I think it lends itself to our own thinking about the evidence that we are leaving.  We can consider if the seeds we are planting here and now will have any effect on this world in the years to come.  And, we can even think about how our works here might be rewarded in eternity.  The Bible teaches that our faithful service will be recognized when we stand before God.  

We can also think about how Christianity has survived.  In this discovery, the actions of believers many centuries ago are echoing throughout the years and telling us about the faithfulness of God to and through His people.  Even during times, such as that of the Judges, when a generation came that did not know the Lord, or the 400-year period after the last prophet, Malachi, a time of supposed silence, God was still working His plan, still fulfilling His Word to His people.  He has given us a Savior and given us the Scripture, and we can be thankful for His great love for us.