Dr Paul Allen

Archaeologists recently announced the discovery of a 1,500-year-old pool that may have been the site of the Ethiopian eunuch ’s baptism. Unearthed between 2012 and 2016, the pool was part of a system of pools on the site of an ancient church near Jerusalem. It’s now part of at Ein Hanniya national park. Ancient Pool Unearthed According to the Israel Antiquities Authority , the pools date back from between the 4th and 6th centuries A.D. The excavation director, Irina Zilberbod, said the pools were the most significant finding in the excavation. “This pool was built in the center of a spacious complex at the foot of a church that once stood here. Roofed colonnades were built around the pool that gave access to residential wings.” “It’s difficult to know what the pool was used for — whether for irrigation, washing, landscaping or perhaps as part of baptismal ceremonies at the site,” Zilberbod continued. She noted that the pool’s water drained to a fountain. The fountain is the first o...

The upper part of The Transfiguration (1520) by Raphael, depicting Christ miraculously discoursing with Moses and Elijah. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this ( Luke 4:28). After Jesus began to preach, the people in Nazareth started questioning His words. He was claiming to be the Messiah, but they remembered Him as Joseph’s son, a young carpenter who grew up in their midst. They wanted to see proof. Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your home town what we have heard that you did in Capernaum .’ I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his home town” (Luke 4:23–24). As if to alienate them further, Jesus went on to tell the people that the new kingdom was going to go to the Gentiles . It was going to go wherever people believed the Word. But it was not going to go to faithless Israel , unless they repented and accepted this “home town prophet.” He...