Oldest Church Found?

Archaeologists in Jordan have discovered what they think may be the world’s oldest Christian Church. The spot is actually a cave. It is found beneath a church building which is already thought to be one of the oldest on record. It is estimated that St. George’s Church, located in the Jordanian city of Rihab, was built around the year 230 AD.

Archaeologist Abdel-Qader al-Housan, head of the Rihab Center for Archaeological Studies, said that excavation has shown evidence of early Christian rituals. He described a circular worship area with stone seats separated from a living area that had a long tunnel leading to a source of water. He said the early Christians likely hid there from persecution.

The bishop deputy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Amman called the finding an important milestone. He commented concerning early believers, “Christians in this region are not strangers. They are real citizens who have always had roots in this region from those days until the present." Other experts are not so sure and feel that additional proof is needed before accepting the ‘oldest Christian church ever’ claim.

While religious archaeological discoveries are fascinating and often important, the real question concerning the age of the church has to do with actual definition of the church.The New Testament makes general reference to a few specific churches in specified locations. But generally speaking, the writer was always addressing the people there. There was seldom, if ever, some physical structure in mind. (1 Corinthians 1:2)

The term ‘church’ is from the Greek word ‘ekklesia’. It basically means ‘that which is called out.’ Biblically it refers to those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and thereby been called out of the world to form a new and living spiritual organism. In this sense, the ‘church’ is the universal body of Christ. It includes every one who has been redeemed and have entered God’s family through faith alone.

While archaeologists continue to search and research religious artifacts, including the oldest church dwelling, the book of Acts relates the specifics about the official start of the living church on earth. Not long after the ascension of Jesus into Heaven, we are told in Acts 2:1-4, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The true church was born at the arrival of the Holy Spirit after the departure of Christ to His Father. (John 16:7-8) It was at that exact time that God began building this new supernatural and spiritual entity. A great example of the dramatic expansion of the early church is found in Peter’s forceful message in Acts 2. After a brutally honesty and fiery gospel proclamation, his efforts brought astonishing results as referenced in verses 40-42. “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." Verse 47 then adds, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

The church is all about Jesus Christ. He gave himself for His church. (Ephesians 5:25) He is the head of His church. (Ephesians 1:22) He nourishes and cherishes His church. (Ephesians 5:29) He sanctifies His church. (Ephesians 5:26) And He will someday present His church as holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27) But the Lord also uses His church for His eternal purposes and will protect it until His mighty redemptive plans are achieved.

This final aspect was revealed in a telling moment when Peter proved that he finally got it! When the Apostle was questioned by Jesus concerning the Lord’s identity and position he answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:16-18)

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Bill Breckenridge