To Dawn Street – Reference the Symbol

 

The Symbol of the Early Christian Church

 

 

December 5, 2007

 

 

Shalom Dawn Street;

 

     Archeologists discovered a few years ago the symbol used by the early Christian churches to identify their congregations and places of worship.  The symbol, a temple menorah extending downward to the Star-of-David (to the Jew first) and extending further down to the fish (and then to the Gentile) was used during the time of Christian persecution by the Romans and perhaps even used by some of the earliest churches visited by the Apostle Paul.

 

     It wasn’t until later that the cross became the symbol of the Christian church.  Even the cross has had changes during it’s time in history.  The difference between the cross of the Protestant and the Catholic churches are an example of some of the changes made.  During the Protestant reformation, the depiction or image of the suffering Christ was removed from the cross by the Protestant believers (see Deuteronomy 5: 7-10).

 

     The symbol of the early church which you’ve seen me use was, once discovered, quickly adopted by both Messianic believers and the Messianic Churches of modern times (i.e. Jews for Jesus and others).  The symbol itself is derived from predominately three portions of scripture.

 

Romans 2: 25-29

(v. 25)  For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

(v. 26)  Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

(v. 27)  And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

(v. 28)  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

(v. 29)  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

 

Romans 10: 11, 12

(v. 11)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

(v. 12)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

Galatians 3: 16-29

(v. 16)  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

(v. 17)  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

(v. 18)  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

(v. 19)  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

(v. 20)  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

(v. 21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

(v. 22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

(v. 23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

(v. 24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

(v. 25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

(v. 26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

(v. 27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

(v. 28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

(v. 29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

 

Trusting in Him,

Roger Stillwell