1,800-year-old ‘Jesus is God’ inscription discovered, hailed as greatest find since Dead Sea Scrolls

Experts are buzzing with excitement over a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape our understanding of early Christianity. The Megiddo Mosaic, an 1,800-year-old inscription, is being hailed as the "greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls" and is believed to be the earliest physical proclamation of Jesus Christ as God. This remarkable find, which was uncovered beneath the floor of the Megiddo Prison in Israel in 2005, is now housed at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C., where it has attracted global attention.

Dating back to 230 AD, the mosaic was originally part of a private chapel and is regarded as the "earliest known house of prayer," according to Gil Lin, head of the Megiddo Regional Council. It features a Greek inscription that reads, "The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial." This inscription is particularly significant as it represents the earliest known archaeological reference to Jesus as God. Predating Christianity's establishment as the Roman Empire's official religion, it sheds light on the beliefs and practices of early Christians, offering a glimpse into the early declaration of Christ’s divinity.

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The mosaic itself is a large, 581-square-foot floor decoration that was painstakingly excavated over four years by the Israel Antiquities Authority. In addition to the inscription, it has early Christian symbols like fish, which are well-known for being connected to Christ's miracle of feeding 5,000 people with two fish and loaves of bread in the Gospel of Luke.

The discovery also clarifies how early Christians and Romans interacted. The name of Gaianus, a Roman officer who is said to have commissioned the artwork, is included on the mosaic. This, together with the mosaic's closeness to a Roman camp, implies that Romans and Christians lived and interacted more amicably than was previously thought.

Carlos Campo, the CEO of the Museum of the Bible, has referred to the mosaic as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls," while Alegre Savariego, the director of the exhibition, highlights that it offers revolutionary proof of early Christian activities. In addition to showing the devotion of early Christians, the mosaic also emphasises the importance of women in the early church because it bears the names of various women, including Akeptous, who donated the table.

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After its exhibition in Washington D.C. ends in 2025, the Megiddo Mosaic will return to Israel, where it will be displayed at the site where it was originally uncovered, continuing to captivate those interested in the origins of Christianity and its historical context.