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Beginning the Journey (for new Christians).
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1, 2, and 3 John
1
& 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
1 Peter
2 Peter, Jude
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
7 Last Words of Christ
Abraham
Acts 1-12:
The Early Church
Apostle Paul
Christmas Incarnation
Church
Christ Powered Life (Rom 5-8)
Colossians
Conquering Lamb of Revelation
Daniel
David, Life of
Galatians
Gideon
Grace
Great Prayers
Glorious Kingdom, The
Early Church: Acts1-12
Elijah
Ephesians
Hebrews
Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
Isaiah
James
Jacob
Jesus and the Kingdom
John's Gospel
John's Letters
Joshua
Lamb of God
Listening for God's Voice
Lord's Supper
Luke
Mark
Moses
Names of God
Names of Jesus
Philippians
Psalms
Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
Resurrection
Revelation
Sermon on the Mount
Songs of Ascent
(Ps 120-135)
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Fish (Ichthus) as an Early Christian Symbol
The fish symbol is an ancient one in Christianity, representing both Jesus and his followers. Jesus had told Peter, "I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). But the fish through an acrostic also became a symbol of Jesus himself. The ICHTHUS symbol helped Christians identify one another as believers.
![]() Two fish and anchor in the catacomb of Domitilla in Rome. It is the epitaph for one named Antonia. Notice the presence of another important early church symbol -- the anchor -- located between the two fish. Another. |
![]() Anchor, fish, and Chi-Rho symbols from the Catacombs of St. Sebastian. Another. |
![]() Bread and Fish, Cubicle of the Sheep, Catacomb of Saint Callixtus, Rome, Italy. Colored fresco. In another place this is identified as "Eucharistic fish" with the basket of bread and glass of red wine (Crypts of Lucina, cubiculum Y, beginning of the third century). Another. |
Mosaics of Fish
Mosaic of Fish, unknown location.
Mosaic of fish in the floor of Westminster Cathedral, UK.
![]() The Greek name for "fish" is Ichthus, or in Greek characters ΙΧΘΥC. This formed an acrostic, each letter standing for a word: "Jesus Christ God Son Savior" -- an early Christian confession of faith. Found in the catacombs. |
Mosaic of two fish in floor of an ancient church found October 2005, discovered in the grounds of the Megiddo prison, near the Biblical site of Armageddon. The ruins are believed to date back to the third or fourth century and include references to Jesus and images of fish.
Mosaic of fish, unknown location
Iscrizione di Teodoro, con pesce. Dice: " Viviamo in Dio". Roma catacomba di Priscilla
Ichthus Symbol (sometimes spelled Icthus)
- Ichthus symbol , cross, chi-rho from Ephesus.
- Good shepherd, Chi-Rho, swastika, anchor, fish, and ichthus from Catacombs of St. Sebastian, Rome
Іησους | Χριστος | Θεος | Υίος | Σωτηρ |
JESUS |
CHRIST |
GOD |
SON |
SAVIOR |
Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua which means "The Lord saves" . |
Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Messiah. Jesus was the Christ, or the Messiah, promised to Israel and to the world. |
Jesus is God |
Jesus is also the Son of God |
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world |
Matthew 1:20-21 |
Matthew 16:13-20 |
John 1:1-4 |
John 1:32-34 |
Romans 10:9-10 |
Copyright © 2023, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.
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In-depth Bible study books
You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format.
- 28 Advent Scriptures
- 1, 2, and 3 John
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter & Jude
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians
- 1 & 2 Timothy
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Apostle Paul
- Abraham, Faith of
- Christ Powered Life (Romans 5-8)
- Christmas Incarnation
- Colossians and Philemon
- Conquering Lamb of Revelation
- Daniel
- David, Life of
- Early Church: Acts 1-12
- Elijah
- Ephesians
- Galatians
- Gideon
- Glorious Kingdom, The
- Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
- Great Prayers of the Bible
- Hebrews
- Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
- Isaiah
- Jacob, Life of
- James
- Jesus and the Kingdom of God
- JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
- John's Gospel
- Joshua
- Lamb of God
- Listening for God's Voice
- Lord's Supper
- Luke's Gospel
- Moses the Reluctant Leader
- Names and Titles of God
- Names and Titles of Jesus
- Philippians
- Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
- Resurrection and Easter Faith
- Sermon on the Mount
- Psalms
- Seven Last Words of Christ
- Songs of Ascent (Ps 120-134)
- Revelation
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.
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