7 PAGAN FESTIVALS WE STILL CELEBRATE TODAY ~ under the guise of Christian celebrations and names.

[BlessedPeace]

Quirinius and the Census at Jesus birth

Historical evidence for Quirinius and the census held at the time Jesus was born

www.biblehistory.net

​

Quirinius and the Census​

​

For many years, critics of those who believe the Bible to be 100% accurate, used a passage found in the Bible to point out an apparent historical error.

Luke 2:1-2 states: "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria."

Since the Bible states that Jesus was born before the death of Herod, who died somewhere between 4 and 1 B.C., critics claimed that the Bible was in error, since history records Quirinius wasn’t governor of Syria until around 6 A.D. or later.

(Bold highlight is my edit)
But recently, confirmation that Quirinius was governing in Syria, around this time, has been found.

First of all, let's look at a few early census accounts taken from history and see how they match up with the Bible.

The following is a record of a census taken in the year 104 A.D. which contains similar wording to that found in the Gospel:

"From the Prefect of Egypt, Gaius Vibius Maximus. Being that the time has come for the house to house census, it is mandatory that all men who are living outside of their districts return to their own homelands in order that the census may be carried out."

Another census was uncovered from 48 A.D. which also records a return of the people to their native land for the census. It reads as follows:

"I Thermoutharion along with Apollonius, my guardian, pledge an oath to Tiberius Claudius Caesar that the preceding document gives an accurate account of those returning, who live in my household, and that there is no one else living with me, neither a foreigner, nor an Alexandrian, nor a freedman, nor a Roman citizen, nor an Egyptian. If I am telling the truth, may it be well with me, but if falsely, the reverse. In the ninth year of the reign of Tiberius Claudius Augustus Germanicus Emperor."

It is interesting to note that these two census accounts required a person to return to their homeland to be registered. The same is true of the Gospel account.

Two well-respected leaders from the early church, Justin and Tertullian, also believed that a record of the census, along with the registration of Joseph and Mary, could be found in official documents from the reign of Augustus Caesar. In their writings, they mention that if anyone were to question the Lord’s virgin birth they should go and check out the Roman state records for themselves.

And as for Quirinius being the governor of Syria during this census, it is worth noting that the Bible never calls him the governor, at least the New King James Version doesn't. It says he was governing in Syria. And we know that Quirinius was indeed governing in some capacity in this region at this time.

Records also indicate that Quirinius was no minor figure in Roman politics. His name is mentioned in “Res Gestae - The Deeds of Augustus by Augustus” placing him as consul as early as 12 B.C.

After Caesar’s young son Caius was sent to administer Syria as an Imperial Legate in 1 B.C., the Roman historian Tacitus mentions that Quirinius was then sent by Augustus to be an advisor to Caius while in Armenia around 1 A.D.

Evidently, Augustus wanted someone who was experienced in previously administering the region to advise his son. Who better than Quirinius?

The Biblical census was probably implemented by Herod at the command of Rome to coincide with their decree that all peoples should take an oath of allegiance to Augustus, which took place in history around 2 B.C.

This oath, forced upon everyone in Israel, is recorded by the first-century historian Josephus.

Josephus also mentions that Quirinius became governor of Syria many years later after Herod the Great’s son, Archelaus, was dethroned. He wrote:

“Quirinius, a Roman senator who had gone through other magistracies and had passed through them all until he had become consul, was appointed governor of Syria by Caesar and was given the task of assessing property there and in Judea."

So who was in charge as the assessor of property in Judea during the Biblical census? Just as the Bible had said all along, Quirinius.

THE WORDS OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH CAME TRUE DURING THE FIRST CENSUS

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "GOD with us.” Matthew 1:21

​

 

[BlessedPeace]

This article on Quirinius in history is taken from our 4 volume book series "Bible Believer's Archaeology" which can be downloaded for your ebook reader by visiting our resource download page by Clicking Here.

Read Next Chapter - John the Baptist

Links to Artifacts

(deleted image) Census from 48 A.D. Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 255

(deleted image)Census from104 A.D. British Museum Papyrus 904

(deleted image)Res Gestae The Deeds of Augustus Caesar

Sources used in compiling data and illustrations for this article:

The Holy Bible, Author: The Lord God. Scripture is taken from the New King James Version unless noted.

Artwork: “The Nativity,” Illustrated in “Dore’ Bible Illustrations” (1891) Artist: Gustave Dore’, Publisher: Bedford Clarke Publishers.

Antiquities of the Jews - The Historian Flavius Josephus.

Book 17 Chapter 2: Account of pharisees refusing to take an oath of good will to Caesar and to that of Herod’s government which was required of all Israel.

Book 17 Chapters 6-8: Account of Herod’s last days and death.

Book 17 Chapter 13: Cyrenius sent by Caesar to confiscate the property of Archelaus and to take account of peoples belongings in Syria.

Book 18 Chapter 1: Quirinius came into Syria with a few others to administer that nation, Cyrenius also came into Judea to take account of their substance as well of to dispose of the estate of Archelaus. Archelaus (Matthew 2:22) ruled for 10 years according to Josephus in Antiquities Book 17, So if Herod died in 1 B.C. this would be 9 A.D., If he died in 4 B.C. this would have been 6 A.D.

Book 18 Chapter 2: The Jewish revolt against the taxation by Quirinius. This taxation is dated between 6-9 A.D. as Josephus states this taxation was held 37 years since Octavian’s victory over Antony at Actium believed to be in the fall of 31 B.C., but the war with Antony didn’t end until 30 B.C. Also Quirinius appoints Annas as High Priest at the end of this taxation. Coponius, who was sent along with Cyrenius, was exercising the office of procurator of Judea at this time.

Josephus The Essential Writings, Author: Paul L. Maier. ISBN 0-8254-2964-1. Pg.260,262 (Quirinius governor of Syria).

The Best of Josh McDowell, Author: Josh McDowell. ISBN 0-89840-281-6. Pg.109 (Inscription found with the name Quirinius placing him in Syria at 7 B.C.)

Archaeology and Bible History, Author: J.P. Free. ISBN 0-310-47961-4. Pg.242-243 (Quirinius background).

Halley's Bible Handbook, ISBN 0-310-25720-4. Pg.490 (Census information).

Radio Ministry: Hope for Today, Speaker: David Hocking. Cassette Luke 2:1-14 #2025 & #SP294 ("Quirinius was governing the affairs of Syria under Varus though he was not named officially as governor until later.")

Smiths Bible Dictionary, Author: William Smith. ISBN 0-8407-5542-2 Pg.132 (Quirinius full name: Publius Sulpicius Quirinius.) (Cyrenius was the Greek form of the name Quirinius).

The Deeds of Augustus: Res Gestae 10: Quirinius consul in 12 B.C., Res Gestae 8: Augustus held three census to count Roman citizens in 28 B.C., 8 B.C. and 14 B.C. It is important to note that in these census counts they were not counting non Romans as citizens, such as those in Judea. So these dates in all likelihood had nothing to do with the Biblical census.

Tacitus Annals: Book 3 Chapter 48: Account of Quirinius as advisor to Caius Caesar as well as a messenger of Rome to Tiberius who was exiled at Rhodes. Earlier was consul under Augustus and garnered fame by capturing the Homonadensian strongholds beyond the Cilician frontier earning the insignia of triumph. Also mentioned as being an active servant and intrepid soldier.

Book 2 Chapter 4: Account of Gaius Caesar appointment to Armenia.

Book 1 Chapter 3: Account of Gaius wounded in Armenia.

Notes and sources for the date of the Biblical registration:

Bible: Luke 3:1 States John the Baptist began his ministry in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar (27-28 A.D.). Luke 3:23 states that at this time Jesus began his ministry when he was about thirty, If He was 30 this would place the date of his birth in 2 B.C. and would mean that Herod would have died in the spring of 1 B.C. right before Passover in that year according to Josephus. But one must be cautious because the Bible uses the phrase “about thirty” which could mean that he could have been anywhere between his late twenties and early thirties.

Article: “When was Jesus Born” December 2006 Author: David Hocking. Evidence for Jesus born in 2 B.C.

DVD: The Star of Bethlehem - Rick Larson. States the earliest copies of Josephus before 1544 A.D. infer a date of 1 B.C. for the date of Herod’s death.

Josephus Re-Examined: Unraveling the Twenty-Second Year of Tiberius, in Chronos, Kairos, Christos II, Author: David W. Beyer, edited by E. Jerry Vardaman, Macon: Mercer University Press, 1998, ISBN 0-86554-582-0 pg. 85 Argument for 1 B.C. date of Herod’s Death as well as 2 B.C. date for Christ’s birth as held by the church historians Tertullian, Origen and Eusibius as well inferred by Josephus. According to his research, most Josephus manuscripts dated prior to 1544 A.D. in Jewish Antiquities chapter 18 Section 106, have Phillip (Herod’s son) dying in the 22nd year of Tiberius, which would be 35/36 A.D. and he ruled for 37 years. Thus giving a date of 1 B.C. or 2 B.C. as for when he was appointed Tetrarch right after Herod’s death.

The Star that Astonished the world, Author Ernest L. Martin. Chapter 8 makes the case for a Lunar Eclipse account recorded in Josephus Antiquities Book 17 Chapter 6 that occurred some time before Herod’s death as most likely the total lunar Eclipse that occurred in mid January of 1 B.C. allowing time for the events of Herod’s illness, death and funeral before the Passover that year.

Josephus Book 17 chapter 9 also mentions that when a dispute over who should rule the deceased King Herod’s territories. One of the people he sought an opinion from was his adopted son Caius Caesar who would became legate in Syria in 1 B.C. or 1 A.D. If Herod died in 1 B.C. it would correspond with Caius being installed as legate to that region.

In 2 B.C. Caesar wrote that "while I was administering my thirteenth consulship the Senate and the equestrian order and the entire Roman people gave me the title Father of my country and decreed that this title should be inscribed upon the vestibule of my house and in the senate-house and in the Forum Augustum beneath the quadriga erected in my honour by decree of the senate.” (Res Gestae, VI.35)

Suetonius, Life of Augustus, 58, also mentions this title “Father of thy country” given to Augustus. In 59-60 it states: “Many of the provinces, in addition to temples and altars, established quinquennial games (games every five years) in his honour in almost every one of their towns. His friends and allies among the kings each in his own realm founded a city called Caesarea. This event in 2 B.C. may have led Herod to place a large Roman Golden Eagle on a gate of the Temple in Jerusalem to honor Caesar right before his death which probably early in 1 B.C. This is recorded by Josephus in Antiquities Book 17 Chapter 6. It also goes hand in hand with Josephus stating that his allies, one being Phillip, who renamed the city of Panias to Caesarea Phillipi shortly after Herod Death. (Note: Herod the Great earlier built another Caesarea, Caesarea Maritime which would later become the Roman governing center of Judea.)

(Res Gestae. The deeds of the Divine Augustus,.22: “Consul for the thirteenth time (2 B.C.), I (Augustus) celebrated the first games of Mas, which after that time thereafter in following years, by a senate decree and a law, the consuls were to celebrate.” (Note: Herod the Great began celebrating games for the 192nd Olympiad in 9/10 B.C. at Caesarea Maritime. So there was probably games held there as to Caesars decree in 2 B.C. as well.)

Copyright © 2021 BibleHistory.net All Rights Reserved. No permission is granted to download these images.

*No images were shared in this copy and paste under allowance by Fair Use alotment and guidelines*

 

[Philip James]

Verse 63. He was not talking of giving His actual flesh to anyone to eat - but you cause people to believe they are cannibals eating the actual flesh of the One who you crucify over and over.

Hello FoG,

Verse 63 is telling us that OUR flesh counts for nothing. That would be OUR perceptions and thoughts. Believe HIS words because of Who He IS!

And far from saying His own flesh counts for nothing, He says it counts for the life of the world!

and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world

PS: Jesus never gave anyone His flesh to eat.

Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body."


You too! Are welcome to come to the wedding Feast of the Lamb of God!

Pax et Bonum

 

[David in NJ]

Yes but that also goes for the blood of the Lamb on your 'doorpost' also saving you. So every festival (firsfruits being the day of his resurrection) speaks of our Savior. Day of Atonement also, which comes at the mid-point of every seven-year cycle. Jesus was crucified, making atonement for our sin, in the midst of seven weeks, on Passover. Tabernacles being Jesus tabernacled among His people. Etc.

I go with Jesus being born around the time of Tabernacles.

FEAST OF Tabernacles makes perfect sense = "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

Passover is His Self-Sacrifice so He could of been born around then as well = John 18:37
Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

 

[David in NJ]

Hello FoG,

Verse 63 is telling us that OUR flesh counts for nothing. That would be OUR perceptions and thoughts. Believe HIS words because of Who He IS!

And far from saying His own flesh counts for nothing, He says it counts for the life of the world!

and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world



Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body."


You too! Are welcome to come to the wedding Feast of the Lamb of God!

Pax et Bonum

RCC sacrifice of the mass is not the wedding feast of the Lamb of God.

It mocks God by continually 'sacrificing' God's Son.

Hebrews 9:23-28
Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Not true. JW's don't abide by actual scripture. Their 1870 man made via Charles Taze Russell , tradition operates through Eisegesis tenets. Not Biblical Exegesis..

LOL....the armchair JW expert is on the job again....where do you get your information? From our opposers?

Would you like someone who dislikes you to give out information on your perceived character from their perspective?

Or ex JW's are also a wonderful source of information.....have you ever been on the receiving end of an ex's testimony about you?

Why not ask us directly? We have nothing to hide and we can explain exactly what we believe and why...

 

[Zao is life]

Hello FoG,

Verse 63 is telling us that OUR flesh counts for nothing. That would be OUR perceptions and thoughts. Believe HIS words because of Who He IS!

And far from saying His own flesh counts for nothing, He says it counts for the life of the world!

and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world



Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body."


You too! Are welcome to come to the wedding Feast of the Lamb of God!

Pax et Bonum

And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth.

It is the Spirit that makes alive, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life.

Jesus did not take the flesh of the passover lamb and hand it to His disciples saying, "Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you".

He took the unleavened bread which represents His flesh, broke it, and gave it to them to eat.

He was not talking about eating His actual flesh.

 

[Philip James]

RCC sacrifice of the mass is not the wedding feast of the Lamb of God.

Hello David,

ah but it IS! The Groom offering Himself to the bride, and she receiving Him, the 2 are made one flesh..

"For this reason a man shall leave (his) father and (his) mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."

This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

In this we already anticipate and participate in the eternal Feast with all our brothers and sisters who have gone before us..

It mocks God by continually 'sacrificing' God's Son.

Hardly,

In offering the ONE sacrifice of Christ the Church is fulfilling Malachi 1:11

Pax et Bonum

 

[Zao is life]

LOL....the armchair JW expert is on the job again....where do you get your information? From our opposers?

Would you like someone who dislikes you to give out information on your perceived character from their perspective?

Or ex JW's are also a wonderful source of information.....have you ever been on the receiving end of an ex's testimony about you?

Why not ask us directly? We have nothing to hide and we can explain exactly what we believe and why...

Thanks for popping your hand up. I was wondering who the JW was I heard rapping on the door.

 

[David in NJ]

Hello David,

ah but it IS! The Groom offering Himself to the bride, and she receiving Him, the 2 are made one flesh..

"For this reason a man shall leave (his) father and (his) mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."

This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

In this we already anticipate and participate in the eternal Feast with all our brothers and sisters who have gone before us..



Hardly,

In offering the ONE sacrifice of Christ the Church is fulfilling Malachi 1:11

Pax et Bonum

TRUTH - "For this reason a man shall leave (his) father and (his) mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."

TRUTH - This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

Did you read Hebrews 9:23-28?

 

[Philip James]

It is the Spirit that makes alive, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life.

And what are those words again?

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

Pax et Bonum

 

[Aunty Jane]

WRONG.

They weren't celebrating GOD - they were worshipping a FALSE god.
Try again . . .

Read Exodus ch 32......they were worshipping Yahweh with the idol of a false god....a left over from their years in pagan Egypt. 3000 of them were punished.

 

[David in NJ]

Quirinius and the Census at Jesus birth

Historical evidence for Quirinius and the census held at the time Jesus was born

www.biblehistory.net

​

Quirinius and the Census​

​

For many years, critics of those who believe the Bible to be 100% accurate, used a passage found in the Bible to point out an apparent historical error.

Luke 2:1-2 states: "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria."

Since the Bible states that Jesus was born before the death of Herod, who died somewhere between 4 and 1 B.C., critics claimed that the Bible was in error, since history records Quirinius wasn’t governor of Syria until around 6 A.D. or later.

(Bold highlight is my edit)
But recently, confirmation that Quirinius was governing in Syria, around this time, has been found.

First of all, let's look at a few early census accounts taken from history and see how they match up with the Bible.

The following is a record of a census taken in the year 104 A.D. which contains similar wording to that found in the Gospel:

"From the Prefect of Egypt, Gaius Vibius Maximus. Being that the time has come for the house to house census, it is mandatory that all men who are living outside of their districts return to their own homelands in order that the census may be carried out."

Another census was uncovered from 48 A.D. which also records a return of the people to their native land for the census. It reads as follows:

"I Thermoutharion along with Apollonius, my guardian, pledge an oath to Tiberius Claudius Caesar that the preceding document gives an accurate account of those returning, who live in my household, and that there is no one else living with me, neither a foreigner, nor an Alexandrian, nor a freedman, nor a Roman citizen, nor an Egyptian. If I am telling the truth, may it be well with me, but if falsely, the reverse. In the ninth year of the reign of Tiberius Claudius Augustus Germanicus Emperor."

It is interesting to note that these two census accounts required a person to return to their homeland to be registered. The same is true of the Gospel account.

Two well-respected leaders from the early church, Justin and Tertullian, also believed that a record of the census, along with the registration of Joseph and Mary, could be found in official documents from the reign of Augustus Caesar. In their writings, they mention that if anyone were to question the Lord’s virgin birth they should go and check out the Roman state records for themselves.

And as for Quirinius being the governor of Syria during this census, it is worth noting that the Bible never calls him the governor, at least the New King James Version doesn't. It says he was governing in Syria. And we know that Quirinius was indeed governing in some capacity in this region at this time.

Records also indicate that Quirinius was no minor figure in Roman politics. His name is mentioned in “Res Gestae - The Deeds of Augustus by Augustus” placing him as consul as early as 12 B.C.

After Caesar’s young son Caius was sent to administer Syria as an Imperial Legate in 1 B.C., the Roman historian Tacitus mentions that Quirinius was then sent by Augustus to be an advisor to Caius while in Armenia around 1 A.D.

Evidently, Augustus wanted someone who was experienced in previously administering the region to advise his son. Who better than Quirinius?

The Biblical census was probably implemented by Herod at the command of Rome to coincide with their decree that all peoples should take an oath of allegiance to Augustus, which took place in history around 2 B.C.

This oath, forced upon everyone in Israel, is recorded by the first-century historian Josephus.

Josephus also mentions that Quirinius became governor of Syria many years later after Herod the Great’s son, Archelaus, was dethroned. He wrote:

“Quirinius, a Roman senator who had gone through other magistracies and had passed through them all until he had become consul, was appointed governor of Syria by Caesar and was given the task of assessing property there and in Judea."

So who was in charge as the assessor of property in Judea during the Biblical census? Just as the Bible had said all along, Quirinius.

THE WORDS OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH CAME TRUE DURING THE FIRST CENSUS

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "GOD with us.” Matthew 1:21

​

Does it say what month or time of year those other census were given?

 

[David in NJ]

And what are those words again?

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

Pax et Bonum

i FULLY believe these words of Christ - Do you?

 

[Zao is life]

And what are those words again?

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

Pax et Bonum

You just showed how your theology twists the meaning of scripture and Christ's theology, and you did it all in a few posts in one thread. Well done.

Jesus is telling you in that short section of passage that the bride of Christ are those who believe His words, and who live by them. Not those who twist His words so badly that they believe they keep actually eating His actual flesh after they crucify Him over and over.

 

[Zao is life]

Does it say what month or time of year those other census were given?

Personally I don't understand these types of arguments. LOL. I don't care who was the governor, and who was the emperor. It wasn't the Pope. What matters is Jesus was born.

Herod was not the emperor. He was the king of Judea, under the emperor. Not sure but I think someone here has the office confused.

 

[BlessedPeace]

Does it say what month or time of year those other census were given?

Didn't read the link?

 

[David in NJ]

Personally I don't understand these types of arguments. LOL. I don't care who was the governor. It wasn't the Pope. What matters is Jesus was born.

The reason for the question is that during those times the only travel was #1 by foot and #2 by donkey and/or beast of burden

Since this form of travel was very slow and time consuming, the edict for the census would of been during spring/summer/fall and NOT during winter.

 

[Rella ~ I am a woman]

I researched it by who was in charge of the census at the time of his birth. It was NOT DEC.Thanks @David in NJ .
Emperor Augustus
Contrary to the Gospel of Matthew, which places Jesus's birth in the time of Herod I, the Gospel of Luke (2:1–5) correlates it with the census: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.

@L.A.M.B.

I posted the following in another thread this afternoon as it did not fall under the Op title here.

But you mention about the census and this link shows something , until a few days ago, I had never considered because I was unaware.

I had to trim the content a lot due to size or I would post it over here.

Here is the link.

The birth of Christ and what we have always understood to be fact. Calling all historians........

I had always been taught, and came to believe biblically the following............................. WE ALL know Luke's accounting of this. 2 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all [a]the inhabited earth. 2 [b]This was the first census taken...

www.christianityboard.com

 

[David in NJ]

Didn't read the link?

Nope - i am leaning on your reading of it - thank you Sis