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ABOVE: Ethiopia, December 2017: Ethiopia is renowned for its rock-hewn churches. The photo above shows worshipers gathering outside the new church of St. Mary of Zion in Aksum. Often the churches are so full that the ceremony is also sent over loud speaker for people outside.
Did you know that history records the East African nation formerly known as Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, as one of the oldest, if not the very oldest Christian nation ever?
Other nations including the Roman Catholic Vatican City-based empire have made similar claims. Romans even invaded Ethiopia on two historical occasions – both ending in embarrassing defeats - including Benito Mussolini and his troops that were blessed by the then-pope of Rome.
But many believe that the Ethiopians seem to have more credibility than any other nation in terms of national Christian history.
Ethiopia’s emperors have long been titled King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah – almost the exact same titles designated for Jesus Christ when He returns to establish the Kingdom of Heaven. (Revelation 1:5; 5:5; 17:14; 19:16)
Here are a few reasons why Ethiopians consider themselves the world’s oldest Christian empire:
[1] The Garden of Eden was in Ethiopia
According to the Holy Bible, the Garden of Eden's river had four headwaters including a river named Gihon that encompassed “the whole land of Ethiopia.” This sounds very similar to Ethiopia’s Lake Tana and its tributaries including the River Nile. (Genesis 2:10-13)
[2] The Queen of Sheba
The Queen of Sheba is historically claimed by Ethiopians as one of their own. She is known as Queen Makeda.
The Bible records the account of her magnificent caravan visiting King Solomon in Jerusalem, as she blessed him with huge amounts of gold, spices and precious jewels.
Solomon in return gave the Queen of Sheba all that she asked for, including some of his royal bounty. (1 Kings 10)
Ethiopia’s first emperor, Menelik is listed in national Ethiopian archives as the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.
Menelik I is described in the epic Kebra Negast or "Glory of Kings" as inaugurating the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia.
[3] Ethiopia’s Davidic-Solomonic Dynasty
The Lord God of Israel promised King David, the second ever King of the Jews, that David would always have a descendant to continue the royal dynasty.
Jesus Christ was King of the Jews, as He was born into the tribe of Judah that is home to the House of David and Solomon (Matthew 1; 2:1; Zechariah 9:9; John 12:12-19).
Ethiopians believe that when David's dynasty ended in Israel due to Babylonian invasion, it was continued concurrently in Ethiopia and birthed 225 emperors into the Solomonic Dynasty.
[4] Emperor Haile Selassie I
Emperor Haile Selassie I, who is considered divine by Rastafarians, in 1930 was crowned the 334th king of Ethiopia, the 225th and final emperor in the Ethiopian Solomonic Dynasty.
He was deposed in 1974 by Communist revolutionaries.
Even though more than one funeral was held for him, the emperor’s remains have never been found. His birth name was Tafari Makonnen and he was born into the Solomonic Dynasty in the royal Ethiopian nobility.
Ras is equivalent to Regent, Duke or Prince: Hence Ras Tafari.
No one doubts the exemplary contributions Haile Selassie I made to the world and especially to Africa.
He led the founding of the Organization of African Unity and served as the elder statesman during the 20th century liberation of Africa from European colonialism.
[5] Apostle Philip Converts the Jewish Ethiopian Royal Official
The Book of Acts describes how the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus, directed the apostle Philip to convert a very high-ranking Ethiopian royal treasurer who had gone to Jerusalem.
This shows that at least one Ethiopian royal court official was practicing Judaism in the first century AD. (Acts 8:28 – 40)
According to Ethiopian history, their nation officially converted to Christianity as a result of the royal eunuchs conversion by Philip.
Conclusion
This concludes our look at why Ethiopians claim to be the world’s oldest Christian nation. Please check out all of our other posts and provide your support by spreading the word about us to help us grow.
Thank you. Godspeed and long live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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