Plucking the Eagle's Wings

Healing the Breach Between the Jews and Gentiles

David that is fallen and build up the ruins thereof' (Acts 15:16). In my twenty-one trips to Israel, I have observed the wall of distrust among many Jewish people begin to crumble. The first century church consisted of both Jews and Gentiles. This tells me that it is God's desire that His spiritual tree and its branches bear fruit together. A recent discovery in Israel indicates this. Pottery On Mount Zion An item called the "Messianic Seal of the Jerusalem Church" was discovered on several pieces of first century pottery in Jerusalem. Information about this seal can be found in the book, The Messianic Seal of the Jerusalem Church , printed by Olim Publications in Israel. The book relates the fascinating story of Ludwig Schneider. In 1990, Mr. Schneider befriended a monk who lived alone in the Old City of Jerusalem. The monk was a Greek man named Tech Otheoos. Otheoos invited Ludwig into his tiny dwelling to show him something he found near Mount Zion in 1969. According to Greek tradition, the first church in Jerusalem resided near Mount Zion and was pastored by the Apostle James. To Ludwig's amazement, the monk showed him about forty pieces of pottery, including an oil lamp, clay jars, and other first century vessels that he had uncovered in an old grotto near King David's tomb. It was not the pottery that registered with Ludwig, but an emblem that was either etched or painted on every piece. The emblem looked like a Jewish menorah drawn with a triangular base that had a triangular tail of a small fish overlapping the bottom of the menorah. The triangular base of the menorah and the triangular tail of the fish intersected to form a Star of David. This emblem is presently used on the national flag of Israel ( See Center Section Fig. I ). The monk gave Ludwig eight pieces of the pottery that carried the emblem. Many now believe this emblem was the Messianic seal of the first century church in Jerusalem. In fact, one large stone block that was excavated had etched upon it the words "for the oil of the spirit." Some suggest that the pottery jar in the collection may have held olive oil used for anointing early believers ( See Center Section Fig. 2 ). According to the Bible, James led the first church in Jerusalem. While Peter served the Jewish sect of the first church, Paul served Gentile believers. James wrote about the work of God in restoring the

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