“CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES” INSCRIPTION POINTS TO THE APOSTLE PETER by Lora Gilb for Patterns Of Evidence
Summary: Archaeologists have discovered a 1,000-year-old mosaic inscription at el-Araj, the contested site of biblical Bethsaida, that points to the Apostle Peter and his role as a leader of the early Church.
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
Contested Location of Bethsaida: el-Araj or et-Tell?
A large Greek mosaic inscription has been newly uncovered at the archeological site of el-Araj on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee during excavations at a Byzantine period basilica. This thrilling discovery presents the strongest case yet that this area is indeed the biblical city of Bethsaida. The basilica was discovered in 2019 and has been given the name “Church of the Apostles” because it is believed to have been built over the childhood home of Jesus’ disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew.
The exact location of Bethsaida is highly contested. There are two leading candidates; el-Araj where this new mosaic has been found and a site at et-Tell called Jordan Park, which for thirty years has been designated by Israel as the city of Bethsaida and draws tens of thousands of visitors every day.
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Both sites are located near where the Jordan River empties into the Sea of Galilee. El-Araj is located right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, while et-Tell is located nearly two miles inland.
The Importance of Bethsaida in the Gospels
Bethsaida’s importance in the Gospels can be seen in that it is the third most referenced city after Jerusalem and Capernaum. According to the Gospels, besides being the hometown of Andrew, Peter and Philip (John 1:44), Bethsaida is near the area where Jesus healed a blind man (John 5:2-9), walked on water (Mark 6:45-52), and fed the five thousand.
