Christian Baptism Sign
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Christian Baptism Sign
Page 144

Early Floor Tiling

Fish In Early Floor TilingThe writer Tertullian (160-220 AD) in thinking of the Christian baptism sign wrote, "We Christians are little fishes, and, like our "Ichthus" which is a short form of the term "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior", are born in the water. The way to kill little fishes is to take them out of the water." Tertullian meant that, if Christians forgot their Christian baptism vows, that was the end of them.✞

Tertullian

TertullianTertullian wrote this in Carthage in North Africa about 197 AD. He also wrote about giving, "we do have our money box, contributed to by those who wish, and who are able, once a month. The money is used, not for feasting and drinking, but to help the poor, orphaned children, the old, the shipwrecked, Christians sent to forced labor in the mines, or exiled to islands, or shut up in prison. This is why people say of us, 'See, how these Christians love one another!'"✞

Emperor Julian

Emperor JulianAbout the year 250 AD, the house churches in Rome, besides supporting their bishop, 46 presbyters, and a large number of lesser officers from readers to doorkeepers had according to the historian Eusebius, "more than 1,500 widows and poor people, all kept by the grace and loving care of the master" that is Christ. Later still, in 362 AD, the anti-Christian Roman Emperor, Julian complained, "The Christians feed not only their own poor but ours as well, while no one in need looks to the temples."✞

"Christian Baptism Sign"
by Ron Meacock © 2019

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