What is IXTHYE?

We Do Not Own This image, It was taken at a site in Ephesus, Yes that Ephesus. In what Is Modern Day Turkey

Perhaps a short history of what ICHTHYS is and was would be helpful, but first something that should be set straight before any assumptions on the symbol itself are made. The symbol itself bears no power nor protection, Nor is part of a conspiracy but rather what it meant and may perhaps need to mean again for the world we live in today, that is of importance.

In the 1st and 2nd Century After Christ Ascended, The Church was being persecuted by local Pagans (Worshippers of Artemis) at the time for the same reasons outlined in

Acts 19:21-41

Because they spoke of The One true God and his only begotten son The Christ. Those who made money from selling Artemis artifacts and pagan blessings etc, had seen what appears to be a rather drastic decline in business as many had begun to come to be known by God, and left the teaching of Idolatry behind.

While it began with that (which history corroborates) It became far more dire when Emperor Domitian came into power, at which point the persecution of Christians in Ephesus became something that was funded by the government directly. This was due to Followers of Christ in Ephesus refusing to burn incense to the Emperor which was of pagan origin. Which they saw as illegal and uprising of sorts. (This is the only sort of thing we are to refuse to follow of the temporal law, being that of our leaders).

Thus the ICHTHYS

Had become used in this region and others as a symbol of both safety and to indicate where Christians could meet and gather together to study and pray together, and teach and learn.

"What Does ICHTHYS mean?"

Iesous-Jesus

Christos-Christ

Theo-God's

Yious -Son

Soter-Savior

So...If you have been paying attention to the News at all in the last few years then you know that in many places there has been growing persecution , India, China, Much of Africa, USA, Canada, And Even the UK and Ireland as well as many other places.

This persecution is nothing new and has been happening in smaller though no less brutal ways since the beginning, though we wont get into that here as of now. Thus we have begun to re-buse this symbol as a way to reach out to those persecuted around the globe to gather under Christ, as it once was used.

To be used as both a call and announcement to those that seek to follow the Lord, and through him The Father whom sent him. That we neither add to, remove from, nor alter the word of God, as it was shown in the light of Christ.

We offer no Denominational doctrine, No teaching of any Sect nor Faction/Heresy, -Denomination-. (Of Which Scripture translates the Word Heresi -Koine Greek- To Division, Heresies, Sect or Faction.) Galations 5:16-26 which in scripture if looked upon with a true heart in seeking only to learn the way of the narrow path, that which Christ taught and the word ever taught, you will see ample enough examples of warnings against such things.

There are a massive multitude of Denominations out there...including those who claim non-denomination, though they have turned that into a denomination in offering individual interpretation unto the word of God and that of Christ as well. In truth there are around 50,000+ of them. This number grows daily.

Unfortunately many of the so tend to make the same claim "We only teach the scripture", though they make this claim as they teach scripture only in the interpretation of many of the "Mainstream Denominations".

They forgo much if not all of the context of the single or 2 or 3 verses they wrap in their Doctrine, Often encouraging inclusion of other Sects or Factions regardless of their Doctrine or how damnable it is shown within The Word.

You have likely read or heard "We are a John 3:16 Church" Or "We are a Romans 3:22-23 Church". There are as many variations as there are individual sentences to be taken out of context. We however are a Genesis 1-Revelation 22 Congregation. We mean this not that we include regulations of the Old Covenant into the New Covenant under Christ, but that through the teachings of scripture and all that lead to Christ, we refuse no teachings. Understanding them through the whole of scripture as they were told and shown by example, for

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All of Scripture is inspired by God, and beneficial for teaching, to amend, and to instruct in righteousness, so that the Man Of God may be complete, fully equipped for every Good Work"

We Deny none of the most basic of foundations in following Christ, Including (True) Repentance from dead works, of Faith In God, AND YES of baptism by water (and its true teaching as by the word in full, and of laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement. Hebrews 6:1-6.

In short, Brothers and Sisters, we are not ashamed of the word of God nor of what Christ taught, that which is sin, we call sin. For the Lord came to turn sinners to repentance, how can he do that if the world around us calls evil good?

There is no hatred for the sinner, but acknowledgement that if we had not been forgiven then we would be under the same damnation, and to love our neighbors enough to want them to live by choosing Christ and the Light, and repenting of their ways no matter how heinous. As was shown through Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians and many other examples, of which these early brothers and sisters had been under many of the same sins that are shown as shameful pride today.

If you seek to learn the full truth of the scriptures and to have hard questions answered so that you can learn to follow as Christ taught all those who would hear and those who could see, then you are WELCOME.

We are not here to ARGUE,

We are not here to SELL YOU ANYTHING.

Due to the many false teachers seeking money, we will not ask for DONATIONS. Until far down the line, and only in showing exactly where every cent is put and with understanding by ALL. NOTHING is hidden.

Welcome...To IXTHYE. Praise Our Lord Jesus Christ, And May Your Eyes Be Opened And Ears Hear. All Glory To The Father. Amen.