more early christian history

 Other information i have come across that is hard to find is a burial cave in Kid Ron Valley discovered in 1941, belonging to Cyrenaica Jews and dating before AD 70, was found to have an ossuary inscribed twice in Greek "Alexander Son of Simon.

Alexander was the son of Simon of Cyrene per the Gospel of Mark 15:21

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenaica, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

A Depository of Inscribed Ossuary’s in the Kid Ron Valley," Israel Exploration Journal 12 [1962]

In 1958 a book called, "Gli Scavi Del Dominus Flevit" was published that detailed the discovery of a tomb on the Mount of Olives. Inside were several ossuary’s (bone boxes)form the 1st century.

The first catacomb found near Bethany was investigated by renowned French archaeologist Charles Clermont-Genera. The other, a large burial cemetery unearthed near the modern Dominus Flevit Chapel, was excavated by Italian scholar, P. Bagatti.

Both archaeologists found evidence clearly dating the two catacombs to the first century AD, with the later finding coins minted by Governor Varius Gratus at the turn of the millennium (up to 15/16 AD). Evidence in both catacombs indicated their use for burial until the middle part of the first century AD.

As Claremont-Ganneau further investigated the tomb, he found inscriptions, including the names of "Eleazar"(="Lazarus"), "Martha" and "Mary" on three different coffins.

When Bagatti began excavating the burial place which he numbered 299, he stumbled upon several unique surprises. On ossuary, number 97, which boor the sign of the cross, Bagatti found a Greek inscription.

The inscription

"[Here are the] bones of the younger Judah, a proselyte [to Christianity] from Tyre." References to Tyre, a port city north of Galilee, is found in Matthew 15 and Mark 7. It was a city visited by Jesus.

What was the reason this find was never widely published?

The discovery of another ossuary with the Hebrew inscription of "Shimon Bar Yonah" or in English "Simon son of Jonah".

Mat 16:17 and Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 I have posted a few things here that I  have researched over the years. 

some more early christian findings

 Here is another picture that rarely sees the light of day. This time form Herculaneum, the sister city of Pompeii, also destroyed and buried in 79 AD.

Interestedly the building where this was discovered has since been razed with the floor now missing in front of the altar. Why?

This was in a private home and the object in front of the altar was a carbonized wooden ledge to kneel on and a shelf to hold a scroll, which was used for prayer. Notice the object the occupants took with them off the wall.

One of the earliest uses of the word 'Christian' outside the Bible found in Pompeii (Buried in 79 AD) inside a building wall

BOVIO AUDI(T) CHRISTIANO'S = BOVIO LENDS HIS EAR TO THE CHRISTIANS

christian artifacts

I believe that Christianity as in the Book of Acts was spread throughout the Empire way before 79 AD. That the Gospels and epistles of the NT were obviously not only written (Prior to 79 AD) but disseminated widely as the Book of Acts indicates.

Most liberal scholars try to tell us that the NT was not completed before the beginning of the 2nd century with some claiming an even later date. I have always contended that Christianity was spread throughout the empire by the mid 1st century.

 Now this picture of an object, an oil lamp from Pompeii, Italy which can be positively dated to 79 AD and most likely even earlier contains Chi Rho. This is the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek.

Used from the earliest days of Christianity on lamps, liturgical objects, sarcophagi with the a & w Greek Alpha & Omega.

( thanks mathetes :) )