Hidden Beneath Israel: The 1,800-Year-Old Message About Jesus Being God

The earliest inscription beside the Bible declaring Jesus as God, uncovered in Israel, has revealed more secrets about early Christian history.

The Bible states:

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

In 2005, a 1,800-year-old mosaic was found by a Megiddo prison inmate. It features the inscription: “The god-loving Akeptous has offered this table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial” and mentions a Roman centurion named Gaianus, who supported the worship site established in 203 AD, where the mosaic was discovered.

Researchers are analyzing the mosaic, and recent findings suggest that the presence of a Roman centurion indicates that Christianity spread within the military earlier than many historians thought.

The Roman Empire adopted Christianity as its state religion on February 27, 380 AD. Centurions commanded groups of soldiers, giving Gaianus significant authority and influence in Roman society.

Researchers have found that his involvement challenges the belief that early Christians were mostly poor or marginalized. The inscription indicates that individuals linked to the Roman establishment were supporting Christian worship by the early third century.

This discovery offers rare evidence that belief in Jesus had already reached influential circles in the Roman world well before Christianity was legalized.

The mosaic originates from the floor of an early Christian worship hall, likely a house-church rather than a formal basilica. Discovered in 2005 beneath a prison, it is now on loan to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. The inscription reads: “Gaianus, also called Porphyrius, centurion, our brother, has made the mosaic at his own expense as an act of generosity.”

The team discovered a nearby Roman camp, supporting the notion of peace between the two groups. Gaianus, a Latin name, is paired with the Greek name Porphyrius, suggesting he may have come from the eastern provinces, according to the Museum of the Bible.

His choice to use only the colloquial name implies he dedicated the mosaic personally rather than officially. While Christians commonly refer to each other as “brother,” it is unclear if Gaianus was actually a Christian.

A professor from George Washington University noted that the phrase “Gaianus also called Porphyrius” resembles language used in the New Testament for the apostle Paul. In Acts, Paul is called “Saul also called Paul,” demonstrating how individuals in antiquity often had both a traditional name and a more widely recognized one.

Acts 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

Paul was born a Roman citizen and actively arrested Christians, even approving of their executions. After encountering Jesus following the resurrection, he converted to Christianity. Though Christians referred to him as Paul, he did not change his name; he used Saul in Hebrew-speaking settings and Paul with Gentiles.

Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Acts 9:8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

Acts 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Acts 9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Acts 9:19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

The “double-name phenomenon” was common in the ancient world, especially among Jewish communities outside Israel. This practice allowed individuals to retain their religious identity while adapting to broader cultural systems.

In the case of the Megiddo mosaic, it suggests that Gaianus was a significant figure in Roman society, potentially explaining his support for the early Christian worship site.

Linguistic analysis revealed that the inscription includes abbreviations common in Roman military contexts. He confirmed that the shortened form for Gaianus’ rank as centurion matches known abbreviations in ancient Roman inscriptions.

An artisan named Brutius created the mosaic, believed to be Roman. The prayer hall was likely abandoned and covered over when the Roman Empire’s Sixth Legion moved to Transjordan, east of the Jordan River.

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Immanuel = “God with us” or “with us is God”

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Read more at: Born Again by the Word of God

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