ESPAÑOL: Los arqueólogos descubren la primera mención de Jesucristo en el puerto de Alejandría

In 2008, archaeologists working in the ancient harbor of Alexandria located off the coast of Egypt discovered what is believed to be the earliest reference to Jesus Christ.

The Dailymail recently reported that the words ‘DIA CHRSTOU O GOISTAIS’ (Through Christ the Enchanter) were inscribed on the side of a cup.

It was in remarkable shape and only missing its handle. It has since been named the ‘Jesus Cup.’

The French marine archaeological team led by Franck Goddio, discovered it on the now submerged island of Antirhodos located in the harbor. The famous Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra, also had a palace on the island.

According to New Testament scholar, Dr. Jeremiah Johnson, what is even more incredible is that this cup is dated to the first century. This 2,000 year old cup shows that Jesus’ reputation was already spreading by word of mouth through the Roman empire in the first century.

“Jesus’ reputation was that he was a healer, miracle worker, and exorcist,’ Johnston said in an interview with TBN. ‘This Jesus Cup gives evidence to that legacy.’

The term ‘enchanter’ suggests that the individual who created the cup was not necessarily a Christian. This was someone who was trying to invoke the mystical and magical powers of Christ in dealing with evil spirits.

Cups were used in fortune telling ceremonies. Oil and water were poured into the cups. The practitioners would enter into trances to interpret the oil distribution on the water and to contact the spirits.

“Invoking Christ, already recognized as a powerful wonder-worker, may have lent authority to the ritual,” writes Stacy Liberatore in her Dailymail article.

Archaeologists have found evidence that others involved in pagan rituals were also using Christ’s name.

This isn’t all that unusual. The Book of Acts reports that similar things were happening in the formative days of the early church.

As the Apostle Paul preached Christ throughout Asia, he was successfully driving out demons by claiming the authority of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:16-18).

Seeing this success, Luke writes that “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed” (Acts 19:13).

Luke then reported on one incident where seven Jewish exorcists tried to deal with an evil spirit by using Christ’s name. The demon said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” (verse 15).

The possessed man then became violent and turned on the seven men sending them fleeing.

But stories of the power available to believers through Christ’s name was spreading. Many outside the faith were obviously trying capitalize on this.

“For believers today, discoveries like the “Jesus Cup” remind us that the name of Jesus has always carried undeniable power,” writes Abby Trivett in her article for Charisma News.  “Long before church buildings or denominational structures, the fame of Jesus spread by word of mouth, testimony and the undeniable evidence of miracles.“