Some stories remind us that God’s faithfulness isn’t limited by time.
It stretches across generations… across centuries… and even across a fragile piece of papyrus buried in the sands of Egypt.
For Chris Tomlin, that truth became deeply personal through a discovery now believed to be the oldest known Christian hymn ever found.
To hear the complete conversation, listen to the podcast below.
A Song Born in Faith Under Pressure
Long before modern worship, before church buildings and denominations, early believers gathered quietly, often at great risk.
And they sang.
“These are people… under extreme persecution… and they are singing songs and praise.”
The fragment, discovered in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, dates back to the early centuries of the Church. It contains both lyrics and musical notation—evidence that even in hardship, worship was central.
“This is unbelievable… that there’s a piece of papyrus… with words the early church was singing.”
A Bold Declaration of Faith
What stands out most isn’t just the age of the hymn. It’s the message.
“To the only giver of all good gifts… that was an affront right into culture at that time.”
In a culture filled with competing gods and power structures, these early believers made a clear declaration:
their worship belonged to God alone.
It’s a reminder that faith has never been about comfort. It’s always been about conviction.
The Same God, The Same Song
As Tomlin worked to bring the ancient lyrics into a modern worship setting, one truth stayed with him:
“It reminds us… of the people before us… just a few generations past Jesus.”
The words may be ancient, but the message is not.
The same God they worshiped then…
is the same God we worship now.
“Worship… isn’t just the last 20 years… it goes back centuries… two millennia.”
Connected to Something Eternal
For Chris Tomlin, singing these words changed the way he sees worship.
“It links me to the saints… to all who’ve gone before us.”
That connection is what turns this story into more than history.
It becomes a living reminder that faith is being carried forward— generation by generation.
“We are all a part of an eternal song… the everlasting song.”
Carrying the Torch
The early Church sang these words not knowing who would come after them.
Today, believers are still singing.
“We’re the next ones to take the torch.”
And that may be the most powerful part of this story:
What started in secret gatherings under pressure…
is now echoing around the world.
The First Hymn connects music, faith and history, tracing the journey of an ancient Christian hymn from its discovery in Egypt to its reintroduction as a modern worship song.
The documentary is distributed by Fathom Entertainment and will be in theaters nationwide on March 24 and March 26.
The Takeaway
This isn't just about a song rediscovered.
It’s about a God who has never changed…
A faith that has endured through generations…
And a reminder that no matter the season, we are part of something far greater than ourselves.
Because long before us… and long after us… the song continues.
I’m Crystal Thornton, and this is God Stories — where every story points back to the One who changes everything.