when did christianity

when did christianity Latest

Aerial photo of a cross-shaped marble baptistry at the fourth-century church in Laodicea, Turkey. Photo: Dr. Celal Şimşek/Laodikeia excavation.

Nov 13 Blog

When Did Christianity Begin to Spread?

By: BAS Staff

How old is Christianity? Churches are among Biblical archaeology findings that hold the answer.

Sep 9 Blog

The Origin of Christianity

By: Noah Wiener

Geza Vermes explores the origin of Christianity by examining the characteristics of the Jewish Jesus movement to see how it developed into a distinctly gentile religion.

Temple A at Laodicea, Turkey. Photo: © Mark R. Fairchild, Huntington University.

Jul 17 Blog

The Church of Laodicea in the Bible and Archaeology

By: Megan Sauter

Laodicea was a wealthy city in western Turkey that flourished for centuries. Why does the author of the Book of Revelation call the church of Laodicea “lukewarm”—neither hot nor cold? Recent excavations at the site might provide the answer.

Jun 3 Blog

Tomb of Apostle Philip Found

By: BAS Staff

Amid the remains of a fourth- or fifth-century church at Hierapolis, one of the most significant Christian sites in Turkey, archaeologist Francesco D’Andria found a first-century Roman tomb that he believes once held the remains of the apostle Philip.

Late-15th-century painting by the Spanish artist known as the Master of Perea depicts a Last Supper of lamb, unleavened bread and wine. Photo: Christie’s Images/Superstock

May 20 Blog

Was Jesus a Jew?

By: BAS Staff

Was Jesus a Jew? Some people claim that Jesus was a Christian. Some have claimed that he was an Aryan Christian. But in recent decades scholars have been returning to ancient historical settings and discovering the Jewish Jesus.

Jan 23 Blog

What Is Coptic and Who Were the Copts in Ancient Egypt?

By: Megan Sauter

When did the ancient Egyptians stop writing in hieroglyphs, and what came next? From the fourth to ninth centuries C.E., Egypt was predominantly Christian. During this time, the language used by the masses was Coptic.

Apr 9 Blog

The Nicea Church: Where Did the Council of Nicea Meet?

By: Robin Ngo

Off the shores of Nicea, archaeologists have uncovered a basilica, which stands over what appears to be an earlier church. Could this church be where the famous Council of Nicea first met in 325 C.E.?

Dec 24 Blog

The Archaeological Quest for the Earliest Christians

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

In part one of a two-part series, Douglas Boin presents new archaeological and historical research in the study of early Christianity.

Apr 8 Blog

Hierapolis and the Gateway to Hell

By: Noah Wiener

Italian archaeologists excavating the Phrygian city of Hierapolis in southwestern Turkey uncovered the remains of Pluto’s Gate, a site considered an entrance into the underworld in the Greco-Roman period.

Dec 5 Blog

Site-Seeing: The Hometown of Santa Claus

By: Mark Wilson

Myra, hometown of St. Nicholas, is on scholar Mark Wilson’s top-ten list of Biblical sites to visit in Turkey.

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