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Orlando's children continue to participate in the community cooking competition. At stake is a Firestone Star of beauty and authority. Meanwhile, Andronicus's lair may also hold a secret artifact in violation of the GLADYS Accords.... DiCaprio Devereaux trusts in the heart of the cards, dueling an ex for her ingredients. Doc Hop is pursued by the vegetable golem while looking for a hoard vault. Rex Maximus receives an extreme ultimatum, as a consequence of an earlier promise. STARRING - Austin Yorski: https://bsky.app/profile/austinyorski.bsky.social Laura Kate Dale: https://bsky.app/profile/laurakbuzz.bsky.social Quinn Larios: https://bsky.app/profile/rollot.bsky.social SUPPORT - Patreon.com/AustinYorski Patreon.com/LauraKBuzz Patreon.com/WeeklyMangaRecap AUDIO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHrF-ZfdwIk Kirby Super Star OC ReMix by TSori & Others: "Until the Next Dance" [Meta Knight: Ending]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeEvMkYAU1o Katherine Cordova - YouTube Dragon Warrior VII OC ReMix by Bluelighter...: "Deeper in the Heart" [Days of Sadness] (#3762) DISCORD - https://discord.gg/YMU3qUH
Andronicus. Namesake of the Cookie Mountains. Celestial dragon. World famous chef. To infiltrate his impregnable mesa lair, the defenders of the GLADYS Accords will need to take part in a surprise cooking competition organized to celebrate the newest addition to the community. DiCaprio Devereaux disorts da value of da pasta. Doc Hop identifies another blue lady for her collection. Rex Maximus summons a Ratatouille. STARRING - Austin Yorski: https://bsky.app/profile/austinyorski.bsky.social Laura Kate Dale: https://bsky.app/profile/laurakbuzz.bsky.social Quinn Larios: https://bsky.app/profile/rollot.bsky.social SUPPORT - Patreon.com/AustinYorski Patreon.com/LauraKBuzz Patreon.com/WeeklyMangaRecap AUDIO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHrF-ZfdwIk Kirby Super Star OC ReMix by TSori & Others: "Until the Next Dance" [Meta Knight: Ending]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeEvMkYAU1o Katherine Cordova - YouTube DISCORD - https://discord.gg/YMU3qUH
In Episode 517 of For All You Kids Out There," Jeffrey and Jarrett chat with David Roth about Bosch: Legacy, streaming TV schedules, and eventually the Mets bullpen.
"At the time of the holy Patriarch Thomas I of Constantinople (607-610), the relics of some unknown holy Martyrs were discovered buried in the district of Eugenius. As soon as the Patriarch exposed them for the veneration of the people who gathered from all over the city, numerous healings took place. "Many years had gone by when a clergyman named Nicolas, who worked as a book copyist, learnt by divine revelation that among these anonymous relics were those of Saint Paul's disciples, the holy apostles Andronicus and Junia, who are mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans (16:7). The Emperor Andronicus I (1183-5) built a beautiful church at the place where thise relics were venerated." (Synaxarion)
Almost anyone can be used by the Lord to communicate divine revelation. Even a jackass can be the mouthpiece of God (Num 22:28-30). Biblically, Christians are directed to “teach and admonish one another” (Col 3:16), which shows that all believers can teach and counsel one another with the Word of God. Of course, this assumes they've been “constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine” (1 Tim 4:6), are spiritually mature in their walk with the Lord (Heb 5:14), and can “speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine” (Tit 2:1). New believers are to “long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet 2:2). Throughout Scripture, God has used various persons to communicate His Word to others for their instruction and edification. God used mothers and fathers (Deut 6:6-7; Eph 6:4; 2 Tim 1:5; 3:15),[1] wise men (Prov 13:14), noble women (Prov 31:26), older mature women (Tit 2:3), prophets (Deut 4:1; 4:5; Eph 4:11), ruling officials and Levites (2 Ch 17:7-9; Neh 8:7-8), and priests (Lev 10:11; Mal 2:7; Ezra 7:10). In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul listed several communication gifts that Christ gave to His church, saying, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers” (Eph 4:11). This is a list of gifted men who are tasked by the Lord to provide education to Christians. Jesus gave these men to His church “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature person, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:12-13). Christ gave these gifted men to His church to help Christians advance spiritually so that they, in turn, can serve others in their walk with the Lord. In the New Testament, the apostles were entrusted not only with preaching and evangelism but also with instructing the early church in doctrine and Christian living. For example, the apostle Paul explicitly refers to himself as “a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1 Tim 2:7). Paul's ministry involved extensive teaching, as he wrote letters to churches (e.g., Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians) explaining theological doctrines, correcting misunderstandings, and guiding the believers on how to live in accordance with God's will. According to Hoehner: "The apostles include the Twelve, who had the office of apostleship by virtue of being with Christ (Acts 1:21–22) and having been appointed by Him (which would also include Paul; 1 Cor 15:8–9; Gal 1:1; 2:6–9). But “apostles” also included others who were recognized as apostles, such as James (1 Cor 15:7; Gal 1:19), Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14; 1 Cor 9:6), Andronicus and Junias (Rom. 16:7), possibly Silas and Timothy (1 Th 1:1; 2:7), and Apollos (1 Cor 4:6, 9). This latter group had the gift of apostleship but not the apostolic “office” as did the Twelve and Paul. Apostles, then, were those who carried the gospel message with God's authority. “Apostle” means “one sent as an authoritative delegate.”[2] In the New Testament, prophets were not only those who received direct revelation from God but also served as teachers of His Word. Their role involved both the foretelling of future events (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11) and the forth-telling or proclamation of God's truth, which included explaining and applying existing Scripture. This dual function meant that prophets acted as teachers in the early church, helping believers understand doctrine and the teachings of Christ. The role of prophets as teachers is seen in passages like 1 Corinthians, where Paul said, “One who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation” (1 Cor 14:3), which were all aspects of instruction and spiritual growth. According to Chafer, “The message of the New Testament prophet is more one of forthtelling than of foretelling. He declares the message of God with exhortation and unto edification and comfort.”[3] Prophets, by God's guidance, helped to build up the church, teaching what had already been revealed in Scripture while also giving inspired messages. Their role was critical before the completion of the New Testament, as they served as communicators of God's will and truth, similar to how teachers expound upon Scripture today. Hoehner notes, “New Testament prophets were gifts to the church to provide edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor 14:3). They probably revealed God's will to the church when the biblical canon was incomplete. Since the apostles and prophets were foundational, they did not exist after the first generation of believers.”[4] Wiersbe states: "A New Testament prophet is one who proclaims the Word of God (Acts 11:28; Eph 3:5). Believers in the New Testament churches did not possess Bibles, nor was the New Testament written and completed. How, then, would these local assemblies discover God's will? His Spirit would share God's truth with those possessing the gift of prophecy. Paul suggests that the gift of prophecy had to do with understanding “all mysteries and all knowledge” (1 Cor 13:2), meaning, of course, spiritual truths. The purpose of prophecy is “edification, encouragement, and consolation” (1 Cor 14:3). Christians today do not get their spiritual knowledge immediately from the Holy Spirit, but mediately through the Spirit teaching the Word. With the Apostles, the prophets had a foundational ministry in the early church and they are not needed today (Eph 2:20)."[5] Evangelists in the Bible were primarily focused on proclaiming the gospel and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, but their role also included teaching. Evangelists were responsible for bringing the message of salvation to unbelievers and helping new converts understand the basics of the Christian faith. In Ephesians 4:11, evangelists are among the list of communication gifts—or gifted persons—God has provided to His church. This shows that their role, like the others listed, was to build up and strengthen the church (Eph 4:12). Evangelists did not just preach a simple message of salvation; they would have needed to teach the foundational truths of the gospel and explain what it meant to live as a disciple of Christ. Philip the evangelist is a good example. In Acts 8, he not only preached the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch but also explained the meaning of Isaiah 53 and taught about Jesus (Acts 8:26-34). When the eunuch asked Philip about Isaiah 53:7-8, we're told, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him” (Acts 8:35). Philip's role in that encounter included teaching, since he had to guide the eunuch in understanding Scripture. Pastors and teachers, as listed in Ephesians 4:11, likely refer to one person who functions in two ways.[6] Hoehner believes “they refer to two characteristics of the same person who is pastoring believers (by comforting and guiding) while at the same time instructing them in God's ways (overseers or elders are to be able to teach; 1 Tim 3:2; Tit 1:9).”[7] Daniel Wallace is correct when he states that “all pastors were to be teachers, though not all teachers were to be pastors.”[8] Concerning pastors, Wiersbe states: "Pastor means “shepherd,” indicating that the local church is a flock of sheep (Acts 20:28), and it is his responsibility to feed and lead the flock (1 Pet 5:1–4, where “elder” is another name for “pastor”). He does this by means of the Word of God, the food that nourishes the sheep. The Word is the staff that guides and disciplines the sheep. The Word of God is the local church's protection and provision, and no amount of entertainment, good fellowship, or other religious substitutes can take its place."[9] Dr. Steven R. Cook [1] The Mosaic Law instructed the parents, saying, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up (Deut 6:6-7). The phrase, teach them diligently, translates the Hebrew verb שָׁנָן shanan, which means to engrave or chisel on stone. The verb is in the Piel stem, which makes it intensive (i.e., teach diligently). Here, the tongue of the parents is likened to a chisel they keep applying to their children's minds in order to engrave God's Word into their thinking (cf. Prov 6:20-23). Where and when was this activity of training to take place? Moses says, you “shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deut 6:7b). Sitting suggests times of rest, and walking speaks of activity. When you lie down suggests evening time, and when you rise up suggests the morning hours. These form a double merism which encompass of all of life. In this way, Deuteronomy is aimed at subsequent generations, that they might learn God's will and faithfully transmit it to their children, who will pass it along to their children, and so on. [2] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 634–635. [3] Lewis Sperry Chafer, The Ephesian Letter (New York: Loizeaux Brothers, 1935), 131. [4] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 635. [5] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 38. [6] The Granville Sharp rule, which is a Greek grammatical rule, states that when two singular nouns are joined by “kai” and share one article, they refer to the same person or thing. It is not likely that the Granville Sharp rule applies to this passage, since the nouns “pastors” (ποιμένας) and “teachers” (διδασκάλους) are both plural. However, it's possible that the “kai” (and) in Ephesians 4:11 could function as a hendiadys, which is a rhetorical device where two terms are used to express a single idea or a closely connected concept. In this case, “pastors and teachers” (ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους) could be understood as describing one group of people with dual functions. If this is the case, “pastors” and “teachers” would be expressing two aspects of the same role. This interpretation aligns with the idea that the primary responsibility of pastors (or shepherds) involves teaching and instructing the flock. This is reinforced by passages such as 1 Timothy 3:2, which states that an overseer (which would include a pastoral role) must be “able to teach” (διδακτικός), and Titus 1:9, which says that an elder must hold “fast the faithful word” so that he can “exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict.” [7] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 635. [8] Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 284. [9] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2, 38.
**The David RB Show Replay On www.traxfm.org. Ths Week Featured Trax From Victor Axelrod, Andronicus, Slam, Group Home, Max-A-Million, Covergirls, Zhane, Hikaru Utada, Lighter Shade Of Brown, Funkees, Krayon, Renee Geyer & More. #originalpirates #soulmusic #funkmusic #hiphop #contemporarysoul #remix #rnbmusic #boogie #RareGroove #breaksmusic The David RB Show Live Every Wednesday From 8PM UK Time The Station: traxfm.org Listen Live Here Via The Trax FM Player: chat.traxfm.org/player/index.html Mixcloud LIVE :mixcloud.com/live/traxfm Free Trax FM Android App: play.google.com/store/apps/det...mradio.ba.a6bcb The Trax FM Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092342916738 Trax FM Live On Hear This: hearthis.at/k8bdngt4/live Tunerr: tunerr.co/radio/Trax-FM Radio Garden: Trax FM Link: http://radio.garden/listen/trax-fm/IEnsCj55 OnLine Radio Box: onlineradiobox.com/uk/trax/?cs...cs=uk.traxRadio Radio Deck: radiodeck.com/radio/5a09e2de87...7e3370db06d44dc Radio.Net: traxfmlondon.radio.net Stream Radio : streema.com/radios/Trax_FM..The_Originals Live Online Radio: liveonlineradio.net/english/tr...ax-fm-103-3.htm**
Send us a textTo tell the story of the third successor state that popped up after the Sack of Constantinople, The Empire of Trebizond, we must take a deep dive into the History of the Kingdom of Georgia. The reason for this is that the Kingdom of Georgia, under their leader Queen Tamar, financed and organized the two grandchildren of Andronicus into capturing the city of Trebizond. Georgia is a kingdom in the Caucasus Mountains... with fertile plains, rich mines, thick forests, and access to both the Black Sea and the Silk Road. The Monarch of this story is a fantastic woman who rose to power and was crowned King... not Queen... but the King of Georgia. She wasn't messing around and did not let her husbands restle the power bestowed upon her.The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.comMusic by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.comCheck out our 2nd Podcast: www.antecedors.com
Today is All Saints Sunday at Greenfield Presbyterian Church in Berkley, MI. Scripture Reading is Romans 16:1-16 Introduction to Phoebe 16 I'm introducing our sister Phoebe to you, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. 2 Welcome her in the Lord in a way that is worthy of God's people, and give her whatever she needs from you, because she herself has been a sponsor of many people, myself included. Greetings to Roman Christians 3 Say hello to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life. I'm not the only one who thanks God for them, but all the churches of the Gentiles do the same. 5 Also say hello to the church that meets in their house. Say hello to Epaenetus, my dear friend, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. 6 Say hello to Mary, who has worked very hard for you. 7 Say hello to Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners. They are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Say hello to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Say hello to Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Say hello to Apelles, who is tried and true in Christ. Say hello to the members of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Say hello to my relative Herodion. Say hello to the members of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Say hello to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who are workers for the Lord. Say hello to my dear friend Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Say hello to Rufus, who is an outstanding believer, along with his mother and mine. 14 Say hello to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15 Say hello to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Say hello to each other with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ say hello to you.
All three suffered during the reign of Diocletian. Though born in three different places, the three were found to be Christians at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, arrested together, and brought before the Governor, Numerian Maximus. Tarachus was sixty-five years old at the time of his arrest, but his captors showed no respect for his age, tormenting him as cruelly as the others. All three immediately and boldly confessed their faith, and were put to many vicious tortures, during which Probus said to Maximus, 'This bloodshed is oil and perfume for me to anoint myself with joy for further contests.' At one point the persecutors forcibly stuffed Andronicus' mouth with meat and wine that had been offered to idols, thinking that in doing so they were winning a victory. Andronicus only mocked them, explaining that only wilful apostasy brings defeat to a Christian. Finally, Maximus ordered them taken to the theater and thrown to wild beasts for the entertainment of the people. Though the beasts had just torn others to pieces, they would not touch the holy martyrs, but played and fawned around them: A ferocious bear licked their wounds, and a lioness played affectionately around Tarachus. Seeing this, many in the crowd believed in Christ and denounced the Governor. The furious Maximus ordered his soldiers to enter the arena and cut the three to pieces. Three Christians who had witnessed the spectacle came by night to retrieve their bodies, but were unable to distinguish the martyrs' relics amid the general carnage. When they prayed for divine aid, three lights appeared above the bodies of the three holy ones, and they were given honorable burial in a mountain cave.
Andronicus was a goldsmith who lived in Antioch during the reign of Theodosius the Great (379-395). He and his wife Athanasia were devout Christians who strove to follow Christ in all things. They gave a third of all that they earned to the poor, another third to the Church, and lived on the remainder. After they had two children, they agreed to live henceforth as brother and sister. Both their children died on the same day, and they grieved inconsolably until St Justin the Martyr appeared to Athanasia at the children's grave and told her that her children were in the Kingdom of God, happier than they had ever been on earth. Andronicus and Athanasia then travelled to Egypt, where each took up the monastic life in different monasteries. After living for many years in asceticism, they reposed in peace within ten days of one another.
El post metal invade la cabina de @circovolador radio con la presencia de @umbraomega platicaremos sobre su más reciente material y nos harán mover la mata con su gran música, solo por circovoladorradio.org Conduce @seralig_actriz @#alfredoqu Yeaaa!!!! Y el festín Andronicus estará listo para nuestra segunda hora de programa no te lo pierdas será preparado por el Dr. Lecter y tendrá cortesías para que lo puedas presenciar en el Teatro El Milagro. @peregrino_laboratorio_escenico nos acompaña.
Send us a Text Message.The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the Greek people's events from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, through to the Greco-Turkish War from 1919 to 1922 to the present day.Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.comMusic by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.comCheck out our 2nd Podcast: www.antecedors.com
Hosts Rico Basso and Pastor John Durante Question Timestamps: Jeanne, email (3:32) - What advice do you have for reaching my adult kids with the Gospel, since I was saved later in life and didn't raise them to be believers? Trisha, PA (7:48) - My son is telling people about the devil, what can I do to put his focus on God instead? YouTube (13:06) - Does “the Son of Man” refer to Jesus's deity or his humanity? William, FL (16:34) - Who was the “Commander of the Lord” in Joshua 5:13-15? Have any archeologists found the twelve stone monument that was set up in Joshua 4? Were there two stacks of stones set up? Thomas, YouTube (22:47) - How do I not condemn myself after sinning? Marie, NJ (28:16) - What did Paul mean in Romans 16 when he says Andronicus and Junias are “among the apostles?” Caller (33:59) - How do I not allow people to take advantage of my kindness? Naomi, GA (35:58) - Can you explain Hebrews 6:4-8? Thomas, NJ (41:29) - Why did God allow angels to get together with women in Genesis 6:2? Charles, RI (45:44) - How does medical marijuana fit into Christianity? Is my salvation in question because I use marijuana and cigarettes? Moses, KY (54:06) - What does the Bible say about infidelity without consummating the marriage? Questions? 888-712-7434 Answers@bbtlive.org
Andronicus is counted as one of the Seventy. He and his fellow-worker Junia are mentioned by St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). Some, troubled that a woman is mentioned as an Apostle, have attempted to translate "Junia" as "Junias," a man's name; but the Fathers are united in treating her as "Junia." It may be that they were husband and wife, like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18), but the ancient witnesses do not tell us. Andronicus became Bishop of Pannonia, but did not stay in one place, instead travelling throughout the world to proclaim the Gospel. Both Andronicus and Junia were granted the gift of wonder-working. Both of them suffered for Christ and were finally martyred.
Andronicus is counted as one of the Seventy. He and his fellow-worker Junia are mentioned by St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). Some, troubled that a woman is mentioned as an Apostle, have attempted to translate "Junia" as "Junias," a man's name; but the Fathers are united in treating her as "Junia." It may be that they were husband and wife, like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18), but the ancient witnesses do not tell us. Andronicus became Bishop of Pannonia, but did not stay in one place, instead travelling throughout the world to proclaim the Gospel. Both Andronicus and Junia were granted the gift of wonder-working. Both of them suffered for Christ and were finally martyred.
Friday, 19 April 2024 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. The Greek closely reads, “And having boarded a ship of Adramyttium, intending to sail unto among the regions of Asia, we headed out. Aristarchus, a Macedonian, being with us” (CG). Chapter 27 began with a note concerning the anticipated departure of Paul, prisoners, and a centurion named Julius to Rome on a ship. That now continues with, “And having boarded a ship of Adramyttium.” The word translated as “boarded” is epibainó. It is now used for the sixth and last time. It comes from two words meaning “upon” and “step.” Thus, it means “to step upon.” However, for simplicity and clarity, “having boarded” gives the proper sense. Saying it is a ship of Adramyttium could mean either a ship originally built there or a ship that found its home harbor there. It is probably the latter. The ship was sailing on trade and was now returning to its home port which happened to be on the way to Rome. Adramyttium was a town on the coast of Mysia, opposite the island of Lesbos. It was on the Roman road which went from Assos and Troas to the cities of Pergamos, Ephesus, and Miletus. At the time, it was apparently a considerably important city. With that noted, Luke continues the narrative, saying, “intending to sail unto among the regions of Asia, we headed out.” This is referring to the course of the ship as it set out, not the intent of Julius and those with him. Their intent was to get to Rome. However, the ship was a ship of business. Rome would pay for the passage of Julius and the prisoners, but the ship would follow its own set course. If one were to hitchhike on the highway and a big rig stopped, the driver might say, Climb aboard! I'll get you to Tupelo, but we'll be making several out-of-the-way stops as we travel. This is the idea of Luke's words now. Verse 6 will note the change in ships for the continued journey to Rome. Transferring from one ship to another was common and it was seen in Paul's earlier travels. This is no different than taking several buses, trains, or planes today in order to get to a final destination. Understanding this, it next says, “Aristarchus, a Macedonian, being with us.” Aristarchus is now mentioned again. He had come to Jerusalem with Paul as was seen in Acts 20:4. It can be inferred that he had stayed with Paul, just like Luke did, for the entire time that he was in Caesarea. He is probably going to head back to his home in Thessalonica now, but it is also possible that he wanted to continue on with Paul in all of his travels. Either way, he will end up in Rome because of what lies ahead. Concerning this guy, there is speculation about his status with Paul at other times. In Colossians 4:10, he is called Paul's “fellow prisoner.” That seems obvious on the surface, but in Romans 16:7, Paul calls Andronicus and Junia “my countrymen and my fellow prisoners.” However, Paul wasn't in prison when he wrote Romans. Further, in Philemon 1:23, 24, he calls Epaphras his “fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,” but he doesn't say this about Aristarchus who is also named. For this reason, there is speculation as to what Paul is referring to, whether it is being a prisoner either at that time or at some other time and being noted as a badge of honor, or of some other implied meaning in the word “prisoner.” No matter the intent, Luke is careful to mention Aristarchus as a part of those who traveled with himself, Paul, and any others despite him not being mentioned again in the book of Acts. Life application: The idea that is being conveyed in the verse is that Rome is the ultimate destination of those heading out. However, they already know that the ship they are on will only go so far. As it goes, there may be stops along the way. Eventually, they will have to find another ship and continue on towards Rome, repeating this until they finally arrive. For the Christian, we are on a journey. Our ultimate destination is decided, but we cannot get there directly at this time. However, each day that passes and each place we find ourselves brings us that much closer to our place of rest. Let us suppose that each point along that trip has bearing on the quality of our time in our ultimate destination. If we fritter away our stops along the way, we will reduce the gain we might receive. If we live by faith and act according to that faith at each stop, we will increase the gain that comes to us when we finally arrive. Is sightseeing really so important at each stop? Is marking out temporary pleasure what we want? Or is what we will receive at our ultimate destination our target with each passing day? Remembering that the good we receive is something that also pleases the Lord, let us use our time and location each moment of our days with our eyes directed to Jesus and our thoughts always considering Him. May it be so, to the glory of God who sent His Son into the world to bring us safely home to Himself. Lord God, help us to evaluate the time and place we find ourselves from day to day from a heavenly perspective. May we be faithful to do what is right, honoring You, and worthy of reward with each step we take on each new day. Help us to look at this life from a heavenly perspective. May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.
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This passage is by far the most extensive and detailed and intimate expression of love and appreciation in Paul's corpus. In 15:14-33 he focused on his mission of the gospel and ministry to the saints. In chapter 16 he focuses on his relationship to other saints with him in his ministry. He reveals his deep affection for those whom he had served, for those who had served him, and for those who served with him.How does reading/studying a list of greetings compare to reading/studying a long genealogy? Both require some patience, both have some profit. Genealogies are who we're from. Salutations are who we're *with*. # Commendation (verses 1-2) Paul makes a personal recommendation. > I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. (Romans 16:1–2 ESV)Cenchreae was the neighboring port city of Corinth, from where Paul wrote this letter. This is the first time the word **church** is used in Romans, but it appears five times in this final chapter. We remember that the church is identified as *where the people* are, not necessarily a building with a sign (I suppose we could refer to a “church's” building if we wanted to be precise, and yet churches as places were mentioned first sometime in the third century). To **commend** was to endorse or give a favorable reference. Paul's reference for this **sister** as being a **servant** has caused quite a stir in theological circles. The Greek word for servant is *diakanon*, the term from which we get deacon. KJV/NASB/ESV all translate the word here as “servant” (NIV uses “deacon” and notes that it's referring to the office). Paul doesn't just doesn't use the feminine form of “deaconess” (διακόνισσα), a form not found in the NT. Whether or not Pheobe held some official title or not, Paul commended her as a highly-proven servant of Christ and urged the church at Rome to receive her in the Lord.Why is so much attention given to Phoebe? It is almost certain that Phoebe was the one who delivered this letter to the church at Rome, a significant responsibility. Since the letter was hand-written (by Tertius, verse 22) there probably was no second copy. She was to be received into fellowship **in a way worthy of the saints.** There is unreasonable hospitality, and then there is *saints* hospitality. “Welcome one another as Christ as welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).Part of the reason for receiving her was that she had been a helper or **patron**. A “patron” was one who came to the aid of others, especially foreigners, by providing housing and financial aid and sometimes by representing their interests before local authorities when necessary. Phoebe was probably a woman of high social standing and some wealth, who put her status, resources, and time at the services of traveling Christians, like Paul himself, who needed help and support.# Salutations (verses 3-16)Paul offers multiple personal greetings. **Greet** or "salute" is used 13 times in verses 3-16, then 2 more times in verses 22-23. Although he had not yet visited Rome, Paul names twenty-four individuals, seventeen men and seven women, along with many who are unnamed, such as those in the households of Aristobulus and Narcissus. There are Jewish names, Latin names, and Greek names. His greeting of so many specific people also confirms that Paul was aware of the circumstances in the Roman assemblies. The first to be greeted are **Prisca and Aquila**, a husband and wife who were **my fellow workers in Christ Jesus**. This couple is actually mentioned six times in the NT. Paul first met them on his first visit to Corinth, where Prisca (with the diminutive form, Priscilla) and Aquila had fled from Rome when all Jews were driven out by the Emperor Claudius (Acts 18:2). They were tentmakers like Paul, and Paul stayed in their house while he began his ministry in Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). After working together in Corinth Paul dropped them off in Ephesus for a lengthy ministry (1 Corinthians 16:19). They were more than fellow workers with Paul, he says they had **risked their necks for my life**. Then apparently sometime after Claudius died (AD 54) they returned to Rome, where they lived and ministered when Paul wrote this letter. By that time one of the congregations was meeting **in their house**. Paul's next greeting is to **my beloved Epaenetus**, who **was the first convert to Christ in Asia**, or “firstfruits” (KJV). He is mentioned nowhere else in the NT. Paul had kept track of him through the years and was pleased that he was now a part of church at Rome.Then, **Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.** Mary was a common name among Jews and Gentiles, so we do not know where this Mary came from, how or when she was converted, or anything else except that she had worked hard for the church in Rome. Paul calls **Andronicus and Junia**, **my kinsmen**, which indicates that they were not only fellow Jews (there were many other Jews in the list who didn't receive this title), but they were probably Paul's relatives, along with Herodian (verse 11) and Jason and Sosipater (verse 21). They apparently were at one point **my fellow prisoners**, which could have been anywhere since Paul was often in prison (or it could simply be saying that they had been imprisoned for the sake of the gospel like Paul). In verse 8 Paul greets **Ampliatus** who was **my beloved in the Lord.** The next two saints were **Urbanus** and **Stachys**. **Apelles** was a relatively rare name. Here Paul says he was the **approved in Christ**. The word “approved” carries the idea of being tried and tested and was used of precious metals that had passed tests for purity. Paul's next greeting was to a group of believers whose names and number we do not know. They are simply identified as **those who belong to the family of Aristobulus**, who himself is not identified. Because he is not greeted, it seems he was probably not a Christian himself. At least one commentator has suggested that Aristobulus may have been the brother of Herod Agrippa I and the grandson of Herod the Great. So maybe this household was a group of believers within the imperial household.As with Andronicus and Junias (verse 7) Paul greets **Herodian** as my **kinsman**, so a relative to Paul. Like Aristobulus, **Narcissus** was probably not a believer, but some of his household were in the Lord.In verse 12 Paul greets and commends three women. The first two, **Tryphaena** and **Tryphosa** were possibly twin sisters (since it was common to give children names form the same Greek root). **Persis** was **the beloved**, suggesting (from the definite article) that she was loved by everyone who knew her and who had been a beneficiary of her hard work in the Lord. **Rufus** was **chosen in the Lord**. This doesn't refer to every Christian's election, but more like we might say an extraordinary Christian – a choice man. The specific greeting to **(Rufus') mother, who has been a mother to me as well** does not mean that Rufus was Paul's natural brother, but that Rufus' mother had somewhere and in some way during Paul's travel and ministry, cared for him as if he were her own son.Paul makes no comment about **Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, and Hermas**. The mention of the brethren with them indicates that the five names here were leaders of one of the many assemblies of believers in Rome. In verse 15 Paul greets another assembly of saints, which included **Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympia**.Finally, verse 16: **Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.** The kiss gesture of greeting seems more cultural, so not required for us, though a gesture of welcome is certainly appropriate. # ConclusionWho doesn't like to hear their name mentioned aloud from up front (only some, ha)? There's nothing wrong with names; *God* included these in His Word. Nothing wrong with expressing thanks for specific people. There were *many* in the network of saints (“in the Lord” - ἐν κυρίῳ - used in verses 8, 11, 12 (x2), 13, and 22; and see “in Christ” - ἐν Χριστῷ - in verses 3, 7, 9, 10). Men and women. Working, suffering, supporting, the kind of people worth standing with. From the end of Romans 15 and into chapter 16, Paul uses 6 different words beginning with the preposition meaning "with."1. συναγωνίσασθαί - sun-agonisasthai (15:30) = with-struggle2. συναναπαύσωμαι - sun-anapousomai (15:32) = with-rest3. Συνίστημι - sun-istemi (16:1) = with-stand4. συνεργούς - sun-ergous (16:3, 9, 21) = with-work5. συγγενεῖς - sun-geneis (16:7, 11, 21) = with-born6. συναιχμαλώτους - sun-aichmalotous (16:7) = with-prisonedWe are IN so we recognize our WITHS. I urge you to be, or to excel still more at being, anti-isolatist. We want to be with you, not *without*. Saints love the saints they're WITH. Saints are stronger because of their WITHS. ----------## ChargeOne of the saints in our body has fought the good fight, finished her race, kept the faith. She has endured and her faith has been an encouragement to all those who have loved the Lord's appearing. Beloved, work with and suffer with and stand with and sing with each other. Our WITHS are our strength.## Benediction:> May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5–6 ESV)
Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Our encouragement today to live to love with Jesus comes from Andronicus and generally assumed, his wife, Junias. We know four things about this couple. 1. They were Jews. 2. They were fellow prisoners which could mean they were captured and at some time incarcerated with Paul or it could mean their hearts were captured by Jesus as was Paul's. By the way, Paul referred to himself as a prisoner of the Lord (Eph. 3:1; 4:1). Aristarchus (Col. 4:10) and Epaphras (Philemon 1:9) were also fellow prisoners in Christ. 3. Their conversions preceded Paul's conversion (they were in Christ before Paul). 4. They were outstanding among the apostles. The encouragement I draw from this verse and Andronicus' and Junias' example is that they were outstanding, but relatively obscure. If I asked you to name the outstanding apostles, you probably wouldn't have mentioned them. You might have mentioned Peter, James, or John. Paul considered Andronicus and Junias to be outstanding apostles. Eastern Orthodox tradition places Andronicus as a Bishop of the church in Panonnia, which is in the region of present day Hungary and eastern Austria. They possibly were Jews from Rome who were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit swept through the crowd and captured their hearts. They were converted, and thus they were in Christ before Saul/Paul. For Paul to call them apostles means that they were sent out to proclaim the gospel and start a new work. Could they have played fundamental roles in the establishment of the church in Rome? Fourth century theologian, Ambrosiaster wrote, “It is established that there were Jews living in Rome in the times of the apostles, and that those Jews who had believed [in Christ] passed on to the Romans the tradition that they ought to profess Christ but keep the law … One ought not to condemn the Romans, but to praise their faith; because without seeing any signs or miracles and without seeing any apostles, they nevertheless accepted faith in Christ.” Perhaps they were in the first wave of believers in Christ sent out by the original apostles in Jerusalem. Here's my point. The work and ministry of Christ in the world advances through millions of men and women like Adronicus and Junias through the millennia. They are outstanding believers whose hearts have been captured by Jesus and who have embraced His call to make disciples as they go on their way through life living to love with Jesus. They mostly go unnoticed because they aren't trying to do anything big for Jesus. They are faithfully walking with Jesus in their everyday setting, trusting Jesus to love and build His church through them. May we be like Andronicus and Junias—faithfully carrying the gospel wherever Jesus takes us, making disciples who live to love with Jesus, for the glory of God. That's what it means to be outstanding in God's kingdom.
"At the time of the holy Patriarch Thomas I of Constantinople (607-610), the relics of some unknown holy Martyrs were discovered buried in the district of Eugenius. As soon as the Patriarch exposed them for the veneration of the people who gathered from all over the city, numerous healings took place. "Many years had gone by when a clergyman named Nicolas, who worked as a book copyist, learnt by divine revelation that among these anonymous relics were those of Saint Paul's disciples, the holy apostles Andronicus and Junia, who are mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans (16:7). The Emperor Andronicus I (1183-5) built a beautiful church at the place where thise relics were venerated." (Synaxarion)
"At the time of the holy Patriarch Thomas I of Constantinople (607-610), the relics of some unknown holy Martyrs were discovered buried in the district of Eugenius. As soon as the Patriarch exposed them for the veneration of the people who gathered from all over the city, numerous healings took place. "Many years had gone by when a clergyman named Nicolas, who worked as a book copyist, learnt by divine revelation that among these anonymous relics were those of Saint Paul's disciples, the holy apostles Andronicus and Junia, who are mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans (16:7). The Emperor Andronicus I (1183-5) built a beautiful church at the place where thise relics were venerated." (Synaxarion)
All three suffered during the reign of Diocletian. Though born in three different places, the three were found to be Christians at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, arrested together, and brought before the Governor, Numerian Maximus. Tarachus was sixty-five years old at the time of his arrest, but his captors showed no respect for his age, tormenting him as cruelly as the others. All three immediately and boldly confessed their faith, and were put to many vicious tortures, during which Probus said to Maximus, 'This bloodshed is oil and perfume for me to anoint myself with joy for further contests.' At one point the persecutors forcibly stuffed Andronicus' mouth with meat and wine that had been offered to idols, thinking that in doing so they were winning a victory. Andronicus only mocked them, explaining that only wilful apostasy brings defeat to a Christian. Finally, Maximus ordered them taken to the theater and thrown to wild beasts for the entertainment of the people. Though the beasts had just torn others to pieces, they would not touch the holy martyrs, but played and fawned around them: A ferocious bear licked their wounds, and a lioness played affectionately around Tarachus. Seeing this, many in the crowd believed in Christ and denounced the Governor. The furious Maximus ordered his soldiers to enter the arena and cut the three to pieces. Three Christians who had witnessed the spectacle came by night to retrieve their bodies, but were unable to distinguish the martyrs' relics amid the general carnage. When they prayed for divine aid, three lights appeared above the bodies of the three holy ones, and they were given honorable burial in a mountain cave.
All three suffered during the reign of Diocletian. Though born in three different places, the three were found to be Christians at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, arrested together, and brought before the Governor, Numerian Maximus. Tarachus was sixty-five years old at the time of his arrest, but his captors showed no respect for his age, tormenting him as cruelly as the others. All three immediately and boldly confessed their faith, and were put to many vicious tortures, during which Probus said to Maximus, 'This bloodshed is oil and perfume for me to anoint myself with joy for further contests.' At one point the persecutors forcibly stuffed Andronicus' mouth with meat and wine that had been offered to idols, thinking that in doing so they were winning a victory. Andronicus only mocked them, explaining that only wilful apostasy brings defeat to a Christian. Finally, Maximus ordered them taken to the theater and thrown to wild beasts for the entertainment of the people. Though the beasts had just torn others to pieces, they would not touch the holy martyrs, but played and fawned around them: A ferocious bear licked their wounds, and a lioness played affectionately around Tarachus. Seeing this, many in the crowd believed in Christ and denounced the Governor. The furious Maximus ordered his soldiers to enter the arena and cut the three to pieces. Three Christians who had witnessed the spectacle came by night to retrieve their bodies, but were unable to distinguish the martyrs' relics amid the general carnage. When they prayed for divine aid, three lights appeared above the bodies of the three holy ones, and they were given honorable burial in a mountain cave.
Andronicus was a goldsmith who lived in Antioch during the reign of Theodosius the Great (379-395). He and his wife Athanasia were devout Christians who strove to follow Christ in all things. They gave a third of all that they earned to the poor, another third to the Church, and lived on the remainder. After they had two children, they agreed to live henceforth as brother and sister. Both their children died on the same day, and they grieved inconsolably until St Justin the Martyr appeared to Athanasia at the children's grave and told her that her children were in the Kingdom of God, happier than they had ever been on earth. Andronicus and Athanasia then travelled to Egypt, where each took up the monastic life in different monasteries. After living for many years in asceticism, they reposed in peace within ten days of one another.
Andronicus was a goldsmith who lived in Antioch during the reign of Theodosius the Great (379-395). He and his wife Athanasia were devout Christians who strove to follow Christ in all things. They gave a third of all that they earned to the poor, another third to the Church, and lived on the remainder. After they had two children, they agreed to live henceforth as brother and sister. Both their children died on the same day, and they grieved inconsolably until St Justin the Martyr appeared to Athanasia at the children's grave and told her that her children were in the Kingdom of God, happier than they had ever been on earth. Andronicus and Athanasia then travelled to Egypt, where each took up the monastic life in different monasteries. After living for many years in asceticism, they reposed in peace within ten days of one another.
Property and Freedom Podcast, Episode 235. This talk is from the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Property and Freedom Society. Sean Gabb (England), “Emperor Andronicus I Comnenos (1118–1185)—The Trump of Constantinople”. Slides below (ppt). PFS 2022 Playlist.
Romans 16:1-16 Paul's Hall of Friendship 1. Phebe — A Servant of the Church 2. Priscilla and Aquilla — Sacrificial Helpers 3. Epenaetus — A Courageous First Convert 4. Mary — A Woman who Labored Much 5. Andronicus and Junia — Early Converts and Fellow Prisoners 6. Amplias — Beloved in the Lord 7. Urbane — Helper in Christ 8. Stachys — One Beloved 9. Apelles — Tried and Proven 10. Household of Aristobulous — Serving the True Master 11. Herodian — Paul's Relative 12. Household of Narcissus — Christian Slaves 13. Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis— Hard-working Women 14. Rufus — A Special Saint 15. Mother of Rufus — A Second Mom to Paul 16. Unknown Servants — Unknown to Us but not to God
Andronicus is counted as one of the Seventy. He and his fellow-worker Junia are mentioned by St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). Some, troubled that a woman is mentioned as an Apostle, have attempted to translate "Junia" as "Junias," a man's name; but the Fathers are united in treating her as "Junia." It may be that they were husband and wife, like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18), but the ancient witnesses do not tell us. Andronicus became Bishop of Pannonia, but did not stay in one place, instead travelling throughout the world to proclaim the Gospel. Both Andronicus and Junia were granted the gift of wonder-working. Both of them suffered for Christ and were finally martyred.
Andronicus is counted as one of the Seventy. He and his fellow-worker Junia are mentioned by St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). Some, troubled that a woman is mentioned as an Apostle, have attempted to translate "Junia" as "Junias," a man's name; but the Fathers are united in treating her as "Junia." It may be that they were husband and wife, like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18), but the ancient witnesses do not tell us. Andronicus became Bishop of Pannonia, but did not stay in one place, instead travelling throughout the world to proclaim the Gospel. Both Andronicus and Junia were granted the gift of wonder-working. Both of them suffered for Christ and were finally martyred.
"At the time of the holy Patriarch Thomas I of Constantinople (607-610), the relics of some unknown holy Martyrs were discovered buried in the district of Eugenius. As soon as the Patriarch exposed them for the veneration of the people who gathered from all over the city, numerous healings took place. "Many years had gone by when a clergyman named Nicolas, who worked as a book copyist, learnt by divine revelation that among these anonymous relics were those of Saint Paul's disciples, the holy apostles Andronicus and Junia, who are mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans (16:7). The Emperor Andronicus I (1183-5) built a beautiful church at the place where thise relics were venerated." (Synaxarion)
"At the time of the holy Patriarch Thomas I of Constantinople (607-610), the relics of some unknown holy Martyrs were discovered buried in the district of Eugenius. As soon as the Patriarch exposed them for the veneration of the people who gathered from all over the city, numerous healings took place. "Many years had gone by when a clergyman named Nicolas, who worked as a book copyist, learnt by divine revelation that among these anonymous relics were those of Saint Paul's disciples, the holy apostles Andronicus and Junia, who are mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans (16:7). The Emperor Andronicus I (1183-5) built a beautiful church at the place where thise relics were venerated." (Synaxarion)
Welcome to the History of Latin literature told in beginner-friendly, easy Latin (historia litterarum Latinarum lingua Latina simplici narrata). Listen to the episodes in order to navigate through history and learn the Latin language (the difficulty of my spoken Latin increases progressively throughout the episodes). The same episodes with Latin subtitles are available on my YouTube channel. This is a Satura Lanx production.
Greetings! It's good to have you with us as we continue our journey through the book of Acts together, this week continuing to look at Acts 23. If you were with us last week, you'll remember that some unbelieving Jews have just seized Paul and stirred up the crowd against him with false accusations. And that's a common theme we find regarding the unbelieving Jews Paul comes across. They're kind of like atoms. They make up everything. And here that leads to Paul being violently beaten, arrested, and taken into Roman custody in Jerusalem. He has addressed the Jewish mob (giving his first defense); and we know that they listened until he shared with them God's giving him a mission to take the message of salvation to the Gentiles. They react violently to that and he is taken back into the Roman barrack for protection. After that, he is brought before the Jewish governing body known as the Sanhedrin, during which he gives his second defense. But the Sanhedrin is not at all friendly to him. I mean, they had already killed Jesus. And that was a part of an ongoing trend. Jerusalem was one of the first non-prophet organizations, you might say; they killed all those sent to her, as Jesus pointed out. And in the midst of this trial, during which Paul is illegally struck just for saying that he has a clean conscience, he realizes he is probably not going to receive a good verdict from them; and so he, knowing that the council was one part Pharisee and the other part Sadducee (and himself being a Pharisee) emphasizes his having been a Pharisee and that all of this dissension had to do with the issue of the resurrection from the dead, which he knew the Pharisees accepted but the Sadducees rejected. And so an argument breaks out between the two parties and the Pharisees actually end up defending Paul, saying in verse 9 “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” And after this Paul is removed because of how violent things had gotten; and he's taken back to the barracks. Now all of this is incredibly discouraging for Paul, who remember has this deep desire to bring the message of the Gospel to Rome, the epicenter of the empire and a very important strategic target for Christianity. But things are not looking very promising, as he's sitting there in imprisonment. He doesn't know it this point, but he's going to remain imprisoned for the next four years. However that night Jesus comes to Paul and gives him a word of encouragement and a promise. It says… Acts 23:11 (ESV)— 11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” God's Preserving Promise— Now in reflecting on that promise, it suddenly dawned on me that Jesus never promises Paul that he's gonna get through all this unscathed or anything like that. He doesn't even tell him that his endeavors will prove successful. He doesn't promise a great response after he eventually gets to Rome; only that he is going to grant the desire of Paul's heart to do the next right thing. Now that next right thing was pretty big for Paul, because it meant that God was going to keep and preserve his life for the time being. And so, in a sense, Paul was greater than all the gods of the pantheon; because while they could be killed, Paul couldn't. He was more immortal than they could ever be; because the One true God, who has authority over all things, was holding him up. No outside force (no matter how strong) could pluck him out of God's hand or this next step God had promised Paul success in. And you know, that same God holds you and me. Now He may not promise you tomorrow, but He is every bit in control of your tomorrow as He was of Paul's. And He will be just as faithful to help you fulfill His plan and purpose through your life as well. Refocusing on Paul— Now when the controversy between the Pharisees and the Sadducees of the Sanhedrin dies down, we find that they re-focus their attention on Paul. They had gotten to the point where all reverence for God and the desire to do His will and to act in way that was in accordance with His written Word took a back seat to what was really the center of their concern; politics and position. A that being the case, they perceived Paul as being a real threat and were ready to dispense with him. And we will see in our passage today that, just as they had done with Jesus, they begin making plans to murder Paul. It says in… Acts 23:12 (ESV)— 12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. We'll See— And so we see that hatred and vengeance is eating them up. And that's not a good place to be. Somebody recently told me they felt I have an unhealthy preoccupation with revenge. And I said “Well, we'll see about that.” Okay, kidding. But these guys certainly aren't. They bind themselves with a very serious oath. anathematized— Now the phrase bound themselves by an oath is literally translated “anathematized”, which means to curse or condemn. And so they have invoked divine judgment if they fail in their mission to kill Paul. And we see this thing a number of times in scripture… 1 Samuel 14:44 (ESV)— 44 And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 2 Samuel 3:35 (ESV)— 35 Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, “God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!” 2 Samuel 19:13 (ESV)— 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.'” 1 Kings 2:23 (ESV)— 23 Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life! 2 Kings 6:31 (ESV)— 31 and he said, “May God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today.” Serious Resolve— Yikes! Those are some pretty serious threats and curses. And the last is most like the one we find here in Acts 23. These Jews who have set themselves Paul are absolutely determined, which we see in their resolve to engage in a total fast from all food and drink until their mission is complete. And it's not a small group of men either. It says in… Acts 23:13-14 (ESV)— 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Going To The Sadducees— Now note that they do not go to the Pharisees. Why? Well, the Pharisees had just sided with Paul during the trial before the Sanhedrin; and so they have shown their willingness to defend Paul. And so these Jews go to those of the chief priests and elders because (remember) the chief priests and elders are of the other party, the Sadducees. These Jews knew that the chief priests and elders would be more likely to join them in this murder plot. Note also they do not go to the scribes because the scribes also were mostly Pharisees. No, they go to those of the Sadducees. And they tell them of their oath and their fast and then give their request, saying… Acts 23:15-16 (ESV)— 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” 16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. Paul's Family— Now amazingly, this is the only clear reference in the Bible that we have to any of the members of Paul's family. Romans 16:7 and 11 possibly give us a few others, as he makes reference to Andronicus, Junia, and Herodion as being his kinsmen. But there are no other references. Some scholars believe that when Paul became a Christian he was disowned by his family. His father, probably a wealthy person, very likely cut him off and wanted nothing to do with him. Paul may indicate some of this in Philippians 3:8 when he describes how he had suffered the loss of everything for the sake of Jesus Christ. But, you know, that is the case for a lot of men and women who have chosen to follow Jesus. Families do not always understand, which is why Jesus said… Matthew 10:35-39 (ESV)— 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Crucified by Family— And interestingly, that is what Jesus Himself had experienced. His own family was at odds with him. John 7:5 tells us that not even his brothers believed in him. Now that eventually changed, as His half-brother James converted and became a very important leader in the Church. Jude (another half-brother of Jesus) also was converted and wrote the book of Jude. But before that Jesus carried the weight of his siblings' scorn and that enmity against him during much of His life and ministry. And that's a hard burden to bear. And it's interesting that Jesus seems in this passage in Matthew to be equating that kind of familial pain to taking up your cross. And keep in mind, that was before He had been crucified on an actual cross, which leads me to make the assumption that before being crucified in the body on the cross, He had first been crucified in a metaphorical sense by his family. And Paul definitely seems to be bearing that same kind of cross now. Meeting The Folks— I don't know if any of you every brought your boyfriend or girlfriend home to meet your parents, but that can be pretty tense. You're wondering if they are going to like her, And if momma doesn't like her, you're in trouble. But bringing Jesus home to meet the family is often just as hard (if not worse); and especially in Paul's culture. Paul had become an outcast for the sake of Christ. I mean it must have been hard. But if that is what needs to happen for you to follow Jesus, then you have to do it. That is just part of what it means to be a Christian. And if we are faithful to suffer like that for Jesus, we will be blessed. 1 Peter 4:12-14 (NKJV)— 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. Romans 8:16-17 (NKJV)— 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Sharing in Christs Sufferings & Glory— So let us gladly share in Christ's suffering, so that we also will share in His glory. Let's do so. Amen.
All three suffered during the reign of Diocletian. Though born in three different places, the three were found to be Christians at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, arrested together, and brought before the Governor, Numerian Maximus. Tarachus was sixty-five years old at the time of his arrest, but his captors showed no respect for his age, tormenting him as cruelly as the others. All three immediately and boldly confessed their faith, and were put to many vicious tortures, during which Probus said to Maximus, 'This bloodshed is oil and perfume for me to anoint myself with joy for further contests.' At one point the persecutors forcibly stuffed Andronicus' mouth with meat and wine that had been offered to idols, thinking that in doing so they were winning a victory. Andronicus only mocked them, explaining that only wilful apostasy brings defeat to a Christian. Finally, Maximus ordered them taken to the theater and thrown to wild beasts for the entertainment of the people. Though the beasts had just torn others to pieces, they would not touch the holy martyrs, but played and fawned around them: A ferocious bear licked their wounds, and a lioness played affectionately around Tarachus. Seeing this, many in the crowd believed in Christ and denounced the Governor. The furious Maximus ordered his soldiers to enter the arena and cut the three to pieces. Three Christians who had witnessed the spectacle came by night to retrieve their bodies, but were unable to distinguish the martyrs' relics amid the general carnage. When they prayed for divine aid, three lights appeared above the bodies of the three holy ones, and they were given honorable burial in a mountain cave.
All three suffered during the reign of Diocletian. Though born in three different places, the three were found to be Christians at Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, arrested together, and brought before the Governor, Numerian Maximus. Tarachus was sixty-five years old at the time of his arrest, but his captors showed no respect for his age, tormenting him as cruelly as the others. All three immediately and boldly confessed their faith, and were put to many vicious tortures, during which Probus said to Maximus, 'This bloodshed is oil and perfume for me to anoint myself with joy for further contests.' At one point the persecutors forcibly stuffed Andronicus' mouth with meat and wine that had been offered to idols, thinking that in doing so they were winning a victory. Andronicus only mocked them, explaining that only wilful apostasy brings defeat to a Christian. Finally, Maximus ordered them taken to the theater and thrown to wild beasts for the entertainment of the people. Though the beasts had just torn others to pieces, they would not touch the holy martyrs, but played and fawned around them: A ferocious bear licked their wounds, and a lioness played affectionately around Tarachus. Seeing this, many in the crowd believed in Christ and denounced the Governor. The furious Maximus ordered his soldiers to enter the arena and cut the three to pieces. Three Christians who had witnessed the spectacle came by night to retrieve their bodies, but were unable to distinguish the martyrs' relics amid the general carnage. When they prayed for divine aid, three lights appeared above the bodies of the three holy ones, and they were given honorable burial in a mountain cave.
Andronicus was a goldsmith who lived in Antioch during the reign of Theodosius the Great (379-395). He and his wife Athanasia were devout Christians who strove to follow Christ in all things. They gave a third of all that they earned to the poor, another third to the Church, and lived on the remainder. After they had two children, they agreed to live henceforth as brother and sister. Both their children died on the same day, and they grieved inconsolably until St Justin the Martyr appeared to Athanasia at the children's grave and told her that her children were in the Kingdom of God, happier than they had ever been on earth. Andronicus and Athanasia then travelled to Egypt, where each took up the monastic life in different monasteries. After living for many years in asceticism, they reposed in peace within ten days of one another.
Andronicus was a goldsmith who lived in Antioch during the reign of Theodosius the Great (379-395). He and his wife Athanasia were devout Christians who strove to follow Christ in all things. They gave a third of all that they earned to the poor, another third to the Church, and lived on the remainder. After they had two children, they agreed to live henceforth as brother and sister. Both their children died on the same day, and they grieved inconsolably until St Justin the Martyr appeared to Athanasia at the children's grave and told her that her children were in the Kingdom of God, happier than they had ever been on earth. Andronicus and Athanasia then travelled to Egypt, where each took up the monastic life in different monasteries. After living for many years in asceticism, they reposed in peace within ten days of one another.
Daily commemoration of the Great Feasts and the lives of the saints of the Orthodox Church.
Episode 162 – Paul’s Places – Part 3: When in Rome 2 Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The goal of Anchored by Truth is to encourage everyone to grow in the Christian faith by anchoring themselves to the secure truth found in the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God. Script: Greet my relatives+ Andronicus and Junia, who were in jail with me ... Greet Narcissus and the others in his family, who have faith in the Lord… Greet Rufus, that special servant of the Lord, and greet his mother, who has been like a mother to me. Romans, chapter 16, verses 7, 11, and 13, Contemporary English Version ******** VK: Hello! I’m Victoria K. Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. We’re very happy to join with you today as we continue forward with our new series on Anchored by Truth. We’ve entitled this series “Paul’s Places.” By “Paul” we’re referring to the Apostle Paul who wrote at least 13 of the books out of the 27 books that comprise the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, of course, started out life named “Saul.” But after an encounter on the road to Damascus with the risen Christ he became the foremost apostle to the gentiles. God used Paul to write almost half of the New Testament including the book we’re focusing on today – the epistle to the Romans. To help us learn more about “Paul’s Places” we have RD Fierro back in the studio. RD is an author and the founder of Crystal Sea Books. RD, in our last episode we started focusing on the book of Romans but we had so much to say we didn’t get finished. Why don’t you give us a brief summary of what we learned and where we’re heading? RD: Well, I’d like to start by also greeting our listeners. The people who regularly listen to Anchored by Truth know that we are focused on demonstrating the inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of scripture. And sometimes that means we undertake subjects you won’t hear on other Christian radio shows or podcasts. This is not a criticism in any way but we want our listeners to understand that we do recognize that we frequently ask them to more deeply probe the scripture and the story behind them more deeply. And we ask them to think carefully about not only the Bible but also the logic that emerges from the point of view that denies the Bible. VK: Like the fact that if someone denies the truth of scripture they would be hard pressed to explain the large volume of fulfilled prophecy that scripture contains. The only good explanation for the hundreds of prophecies that we can demonstrate that have been fulfilled is that those prophecies were given to human writers by a God who, in the words of Isaiah, chapter 46, verse 10, says “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.” Denying the authenticity produces an incoherent worldview that cannot explain well documented historical events. RD: Right. But in order for us to demonstrate in our shows we must ask listeners not to just read the Bible but also come to know something about ancient history including the places and cultures that existed thousands of years ago. VK: And that’s the big reason we wanted to undertake this study series on “Paul’s Places.” Paul’s Places is all about the epistles, or letters, that the Apostle Paul wrote to various churches. And in our Bibles the titles assigned to those epistles, which we also call books, are geographic names like Romans, Corinthians, Philippians, etc. RD: Right again. One of the reasons we can have complete confidence in the accuracy, the truth, of the Bible is because you can locate those cities on a map. We know where Rome, Corinth, and Philippi were located during the first century AD and we know things about their history that allow us to get greater insight into why a particular epistle, or letter, was sent to that group. VK: For instance, we know that at that time Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome, Rome as a city and an empire was pretty much at the peak of its power. So Paul wrote the most complete description of the doctrines and principles of the Christian faith to a church located in the most important city in the empire. And, as we mentioned last time, the Roman Empire was where God began the distribution of the gospel. Later, including today, the gospel would spread far beyond the boundaries of the old Roman Empire but God chose to begin the gospel’s spread within the Roman Empire. So, at the time Paul wrote Romans we can be very sure he knew he was writing an important letter to the church located in the most important city of his time. This makes sense. Paul knew his letters would circulate beyond his initial recipient or audience. And he knew people from all over the empire would travel to and through Rome. So, it was simply good common sense for him to ensure that the letter, he wrote to the church in Rome was a thorough discussion of the foundations of the Christian faith. Wow. I guess I sort of answered my own question about summarizing what we discussed last time. RD: Pretty much. VK: But that still leaves where do we go from here? You said you wanted to also do today’s episode of Anchored by Truth to the book of Romans. RD: Yes, I do. Today I want to focus on a part of the book of Romans that I suspect most people just skip right over – the greetings and salutations. VK: Really? With all of the deep doctrine that the book of Romans contains you want to go right to the last chapter where there is essentially just a laundry list of names that Paul sends greetings to. Why is that? RD: Because the greetings and salutations help illustrate our basic point for doing this series. Paul’s letters, even the seemingly mundane details, like a list of people he sends greetings to, illustrate the coherence of scripture. And buried in amongst one of the most extensive list of greetings in all of Paul’s letters there are some very interesting names. VK: Such as? RD: Such as the name we heard about in our opening scripture that is found in Romans 16:13. Paul told the recipients of his letter to the church in Rome to “Greet Rufus, that special servant of the Lord, and greet his mother, who has been like a mother to me.” VK: Well, obviously Rufus and his mother were pretty special to Paul, but why is his inclusion in the list of greetings so significant? RD: To understand that we have to flip over to the Gospel of Mark, specifically Mark, chapter 15, verse 21. VK: In the contemporary English Version that verse reads “Simon from Cyrene happened to be coming in from a farm, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross. Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.” Hmmm. Interesting. So, the gospel writer Mark mentions the same name as Paul does in his closing to the book of Romans. Why is that? RD: For a variety of reasons. Tradition says Mark wrote his gospel while he was living in Rome or at least that his gospel was written to the Roman church. If so, it would make good sense that he would include this seemingly incidental note in his gospel. Rufus would have been well known within the church in Rome. So, the fact that his father was the one who actually was pressed into service to carry Jesus’ cross would have been of great interest to that church. And while we can’t be sure of exactly when it is obvious that at some point Paul had spent some time with Rufus and Rufus’ mother. And while we can’t be exactly sure when that might have happened, one possibility is in the city of Antioch in Syria. We learn that from Acts 13:1. VK: In the Contemporary English Version that verse says, “The church at Antioch had several prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon, also called Niger, Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen, who was Herod's close friend, and Saul.” Saul, of course, is the Apostle Paul before Luke, who wrote Acts, began to refer to him as Saul. We covered that in our last episode. But how does this verse give us any insight into the relationship between Paul and Rufus and Rufus’ mother? RD: Well, the first thing that we have to know is that “Simon” is just another form of the name “Simeon.” The second thing is that we know from Acts 11:20 that one of the first recorded outreaches of the gospel beyond the Jews was to people who were called “Grecians” in Antioch. And we know that outreach was done by men from Cyprus and Cyrene. So, notice we now know of two men from Cyrene who are mentioned by name. Lucius in Acts 13:1 and Simon from Mark 15:21. Cyrene is on the northern coast of Africa in what is modern day Libya. Also remember that Cyrene was mentioned in the list of places which had people attending that first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection. VK: So, what you are saying is that the Simon of Cyrene who was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross may have been one of people who made that outreach in Antioch. Cyrene is on the North African coast of the Mediterranean. Simon had come up to Jerusalem for the Passover feast because that was one of the 3 mandatory feasts for faithful Jews. Simon, like very many of the strangers who came to the Jerusalem for the feast, probably had trouble finding a room in the city. So, he probably had to go to one of the outlying villages to stay while he was at the feast. He may have been going to the city from his lodging when he encounters the procession leaving the city heading to place where Jesus was going to die. Staying outside the city he probably knew nothing about Jesus’ trial that morning. RD: Right. Simon of Cyrene (not Simon Peter who was one the disciples) had no idea he was going to encounter the crucifixion procession as it is passing out of the gate. The centurion leading the procession grabs Simon at random to help the fainting Christ to carry the heavy Cross. Simon probably thought Jesus was a common criminal, and would resent what he was being compelled to do it. But I like to think that when he got close to Jesus he was touched by the soul-conquering power of Christ. As such, Simon of Cyrene was quite likely an eyewitness to the crucifixion. But it is also possible that he was also an eyewitness to the resurrection. Remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:6. VK: 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 6 says, “After this, [Jesus] appeared to more than five hundred other followers. Most of them are still alive, but some have died.” So, you are thinking that it possible that Simon of Cyrene might have been among that group of 500? RD: Yes. The Bible does not tell us exactly when that group of 500 saw the risen Christ, but many scholars think that it might have been at the time of ascension – when Jesus went back to heaven. That is described in Acts, chapter 1. That chapter tells us that many of the future apostles were there but since the ascension happened right outside Jerusalem it’s quite possible many more members of the church were there. It would make sense that Simon of Cyrene, having carried the cross, would have remained around Jerusalem through at least the end of the Passover feast. Well, by that time Jesus had risen. One commentator, Alexander MacLaren has said, “It is possible that this may be our Simon, and that he who was the last to join the band of disciples during the Master’s life and learned courage at the Cross was among the first to apprehend the world-wide destination of the Gospel, and to bear it beyond the narrow bounds of his nation.” VK: So, you are following MacLaren’s line of thinking with respect to Simon of Cyrene. Simon of Cyrene was at Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover feast but he winds up encountering Jesus in a very unique way. Having encountered the living Christ he stays in Jerusalem where, just a few days later, he might have encountered the risen Christ. He may even have been among the group that saw Jesus ascend and then stayed in Jerusalem for a little while longer and been one of the Cyrenians [sigh-ren-ee-ans] mentioned at Pentecost. Well, certainly that would have been a transformative experience – so transformative Simon of Cyrene might have been in the group that began carrying the gospel outside Judea to places like Antioch in Syria. RD: Yes. And we know from Acts, chapter 11 that Paul spent over a year in Antioch. That would have been plenty of time for him to come to know Simon and his family which would have included Rufus and Rufus’ mother. We also know that Paul returned to Antioch several times even after he began his series of missionary journeys so he would have had the opportunity to renew his connection with the family. So, if sometime during Paul’s long missionary career he found out that Rufus and his mother had moved to Rome it would make perfect sense that Paul would have send very warm greetings when he finally wrote to the Roman church. VK: Well, how long was it between the time Paul might have first encountered Simon and Rufus in Antioch and Paul wrote the letter to the Romans? RD: Probably more than a decade. VK: So, Rufus and his mother would not have been just friends of Paul’s but old friends? I see what you mean that the information in the greeting and salutations isn’t something that we can just gloss over. There’s a whole story buried underneath those 15 or 20 words. RD: Exactly. And let’s remind everyone of the really big point. Contrary to some uniformed critics, the Bible is not filled with “myths and fairy tales.” The Bible does contain reports of supernatural events but it reports those events in the same way it reports mundane or secular matters. But the entirety of the story that the Bible reports, when examined carefully, is coherent and consistent with what we know from extra-Biblical sources about people, places, and culture. VK: As we said last time, it’s a very simple principle. If we have a friend who we know to be honest and truthful and then one day that friend tells us they saw something extraordinary our first impulse should be to trust their report. We can trust their report because we have a track record and history with that person that tells us that person consistently tells the truth. Naturally, the opposite might be true. If we know somebody who consistently lies then we might have reason to doubt them, even if occasionally they tell us something that is true. RD: Right. Character matters. And when the Bible’s character is tested in ways we can verify it always stands up to the test. VK: So, are there any other items you want to point out from the greetings and salutations in Romans? RD: Sure. Let’s take a look at 3 of the other names: Andronicus, Junia, and Apelles. Andronicus and Junia were, like Paul, Jews. Apelles is a common Greek name. This helps illustrate the point we made last time that in the book of Romans Paul spent a lot of time discussing the relationship between the Jews and Gentiles with respect to redemptive history and the emerging 1st century church. Also, the name Aristobulus [air-is-tahb-u-lus] is interesting. VK: The name Aristobulus is the same name as one of Herod the Great’s grandsons who was known to be a friend of the Roman Emperor Claudius. Claudius reigned from 41 AD to 54 AD. The book of Romans was likely written in 57 AD, but no earlier than 55 AD. So, the inclusion of Aristobulus is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, we know that that name was in use during that period of history and was known in the city of Rome. But, second, Paul says to “Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.” So, that greeting is not necessarily to Aristobulus [air-is-tahb-u-lus] himself but either to members of his family or servants of the family. This means that by the time Paul wrote Romans the gospel had been heard at even the upper levels of Roman society. RD: Right. And among the list of names Paul includes in his salutations and greetings are names of people who were, in all likelihood, servants or slaves. The names Urbanus and Stachys were common slave names. Urbanus was a Roman name. Stachys was a Greek name. And in the greeting Paul calls Stachys “my beloved.” This demonstrates that Paul was indifferent to the social or economic status of people he associated with or ministered to. Paul brought the gospel to all levels of his society – whether high or low, rich or poor, slave or free. VK: And one person on the greetings list in Romans who may have been from a high level is Narcissus. There was a person named Narcissus who was an aide to the Emperor Claudius who was forced to commit suicide by Agrippina [eh-grip-peen-a]. Agrippina was the younger sister of Emperor Caligula, the niece and fourth wife of Emperor Claudius and the mother of emperor Nero. She forced Narcissus to kill himself after Nero became the emperor probably because he would have been a rival when it came to giving Nero advice. Yikes. As we’ve said, there are stories buried in this seemingly simple list of names. RD: Yes. But all this reinforces the primary reason we are doing this “Paul’s Places” series. The Apostle Paul wrote his epistle, our Bible book, Romans in or around 57 AD. By that time he had been on the “missionary road” for over a decade – likely up to 15 years. He had travelled widely through the Roman Empire and he knew who was influential within the empire. VK: He also knew how the people within the Roman world thought about things and of course, he knew the essential elements of the emerging Christian faith as well or better than anyone. What you’re saying is that when he sat down and wrote his letters, the epistles that would become the books of our Bible he did so carefully and thoughtfully. And that’s just Paul operating as a human being. He was also under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. So, when he penned these letters he was teaching and encouraging throughout the letter even in the parts we might tend to skip over like the salutations and greetings. But what we see in those salutations and greetings reinforces what we know about the churches in the cities to which he was writing – their world, the things they were dealing with generally and specifically, and what they needed to mature in their faith. RD: Very well said. In Romans Paul was writing to a church composed of Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and Romans, well-educated leaders and ordinary servants, and people he knew well and some he had never met. So, in the main body of the letter he addressed issues of doctrine and principle that the people of that church (and all subsequent churches) needed to hear. And because Rome was the hub of the Roman Empire he knew whatever he sent to them would travel far and wide. So, he was thorough in what he wrote and comprehensive in areas that were or might be confusing. The character of the church made it sensible for him to do that and the city in which the church was located made it essential that he do that. VK: And when it came to deciding who to greet specifically and how to greet them he was equally careful. He pointed out a couple of people who had been Christians longer than he had, he gave special credit to Rufus whose family may very well have played a unique role in church history, and he recognized people from all up and down the social status ladder. And he greeted women as well as men which would have been somewhat out-of-the-ordinary in that world. All of that points to the authenticity of the letter and therefore increases our confidence in the letter’s accuracy and trustworthiness. RD: Yes. Paul took more time in the book of Romans to discuss the interaction between Jews, gentiles, the church, and the history of salvation than in any other book he wrote but his concern for doctrine did not overcome his concern for the people. Paul wanted his readers to be as passionate about the gospel as he was but he knew that passion for faith had to be tied to genuine love among believers. VK: This harkens back to the Gospel of John, chapter 13, verse 35 where Jesus said, By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” That’s from the New International Version. The New Living Translation says, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Paul proved he was a genuine disciple by expressing love for the people he was writing to. First, he did so by writing them truth even when he knew those truths would be hard on some of the readers. Second, he did so by forming friendships and remembering people by name. RD: In its day the Roman church was unique. As the earliest manifestation of an emerging church in the center of the world’s most powerful empire of the time its influence eclipsed that of what most of its members probably thought. But think about this. There were names of Roman slaves that have been commemorated for all eternity because of their participation in that church. The names of those slaves are, in many ways, truly exalted beyond the names of most of the world’s kings, emperors, generals, presidents, and corporate bigwigs. VK: The New Living Translation of James, chapter 4, verse 10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” In a very real way in composing those greetings and salutations that is what Paul did. RD: Right. The letter to the church in Rome was a real letter written by a real man to real people – people just like us. Like all of the parts of the Bible, Paul’s letters are perfectly consistent with what we know about the larger context in which they were written. But not only are they consistent with the people, places, and facts of history they are consistent with God’s eternal proclamations. Part of the evidence of the truth of the book of Romans is the un-designed consistency that it shares with other books in New Testament. That consistency makes Romans coherent even at a granular level that few people ever both to look. VK: This sounds like a great time for a prayer. Today, let’s listen to a prayer that we may all be faithful stewards of the resources that have been entrusted to us. Faithful stewardship is evidence of our own faithfulness to the cause of Christ. ---- PRAYER TO BE A FAITHFUL STEWARD VK: Before we close we’d like to remind our audience that a lot of our radio episodes are linked together in series of topics so if they missed any episodes in this series or if they just want to hear one again, all of these episodes are available on your favorite podcast app. To find them just search on “Anchored by Truth by Crystal Sea Books.” If you’d like to hear more, try out crystalseabooks.com where “We’re not perfect but our Boss is!” (Opening Bible Quote from the Contemporary English Version) Romans, chapter 16, verses 7, 11, and 13, Contemporary English Version Mark 15:21 Commentaries: They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross. (biblehub.com) Romans 1 Barnes' Notes (biblehub.com)
Andronicus is counted as one of the Seventy. He and his fellow-worker Junia are mentioned by St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). Some, troubled that a woman is mentioned as an Apostle, have attempted to translate "Junia" as "Junias," a man's name; but the Fathers are united in treating her as "Junia." It may be that they were husband and wife, like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18), but the ancient witnesses do not tell us. Andronicus became Bishop of Pannonia, but did not stay in one place, instead travelling throughout the world to proclaim the Gospel. Both Andronicus and Junia were granted the gift of wonder-working. Both of them suffered for Christ and were finally martyred.
Andronicus is counted as one of the Seventy. He and his fellow-worker Junia are mentioned by St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). Some, troubled that a woman is mentioned as an Apostle, have attempted to translate "Junia" as "Junias," a man's name; but the Fathers are united in treating her as "Junia." It may be that they were husband and wife, like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18), but the ancient witnesses do not tell us. Andronicus became Bishop of Pannonia, but did not stay in one place, instead travelling throughout the world to proclaim the Gospel. Both Andronicus and Junia were granted the gift of wonder-working. Both of them suffered for Christ and were finally martyred.
"At the time of the holy Patriarch Thomas I of Constantinople (607-610), the relics of some unknown holy Martyrs were discovered buried in the district of Eugenius. As soon as the Patriarch exposed them for the veneration of the people who gathered from all over the city, numerous healings took place. "Many years had gone by when a clergyman named Nicolas, who worked as a book copyist, learnt by divine revelation that among these anonymous relics were those of Saint Paul's disciples, the holy apostles Andronicus and Junia, who are mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans (16:7). The Emperor Andronicus I (1183-5) built a beautiful church at the place where thise relics were venerated." (Synaxarion)
Our New Testament reading comes from Romans 15. It's connected to our sermon text. In fact, we'll be in the book of Romans for 3 weeks.There are a couple of reasons why. First, you may remember that our very first sermon series was in the book of Romans, chapter 8. We were launching as a church plant at the very beginning of COVID – and what better chapter in the Bible to give us encouragement than Romans 8!Remember chapter 8 verse 18 - “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” And then a couple of verses later… “the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” Romans 8 helped us navigate the fear and suffering that COVID has brought.And the book of Romans is full of foundational theology. Understanding God, his world, redemption, and ourselves.But rather than someday taking 2-3 years to preach through Romans, we're going to occasionally come back to Romans between other book studies. So maybe we'll get through it in 10 years.The second reason we're in Romans also answers why we are jumping to the end of chapter 15 and chapter 16. Here's why: our Acts series concluded about a month ago. It concluded our study of the history of God's work in the early church. But, in some way, we were left with questions about Paul. What happened to him and what about the church in Rome? So, we'll get some answers today about Paul and the church in Rome. So, hopefully that gives you some background.Paul wrote Romans while he was in the city of Corinth – he was on his third missionary journey. And he was about to head to Jerusalem for the last time.Reading of Romans 15:22-33, Romans 16:1-16PrayerAt the end of Acts, you may recall, Paul finally arrived in Rome. And as we read earlier, he longed to be with the church there. He even mentioned in chapter 15 that he desired to not only make it to Rome but also head to Spain.We know from the last chapter of Acts, that Paul spent a couple of years in Rome. He was under house arrest, but he had complete freedom to meet with people. Share the Gospel. And he was protected by the Roman soldiers that were chained to him. But if you're like me, you've probably asked the question, what happened to Paul next?Well, Scripture doesn't exactly tell us. We're given some hints like in Paul's second letter to Timothy. However, a couple of the early church fathers indicate that eventually Paul was exonerated. No surprise there. His trial was a sham, anyway. If the historical accounts are accurate, the next thing that Paul did was travel to Spain. We don't have any surviving letters to the church in Spain, but his desire had been to make it there.Regardless of whether he made it to Spain, what did happen was a major persecution arose against the church in the Roman kingdom. Nero, the Roman Caesar, began to fiercely oppose the Christians and the Jews. Nero burned Rome and blamed the Christians. We have many accounts of his persecution against the believers. And we know from the book of 2 Timothy, which was the last book that Paul wrote. Paul was back in prison. Likely this was a separate imprisonment from his first imprisonment in Rome. Paul knew his time in this world was short. According to the early church historian Eusebius, soon after Paul wrote his last letter, Nero had him beheaded. Assuming that's true, not only was Paul an apostle, but in the heavenly kingdom, he will be regarded as one of the honored martyrs who gave his life for the Gospel.But what of the church in Rome? Well, Romans 15 and 16 here give us names and some details of the church. Even though Paul had never been to Rome before his arrival at the end of Acts, we get the clear sense here that he loved the church. Chapter 15 verse 23, he “longed for many years” to visit them. He even has this confidence in chapter 15 that he will soon be with them. Look what he writes to them in verse 32. “by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.”And that turned out to be true. It had been only a couple of years between Paul's letter to them and his arrival in Rome. Can you imagine the reception that he received!? Paul's joy and the church's joy.And that brings us to the beginning of chapter 16. Which, you know, sometimes we skip over lists of names in the Bible. I know you do that. Like in the book of Numbers. So and so begat so and so, …and we're so tempted, when no one's looking, to just jump ahead to the next chapter. Right!? I personally know the temptation! But I want you to think about the names. They each represent someone created in God's image. In this case, they were either servants in the church, or their households were.Paul knew them or knew of them. In many cases, he had served alongside them at other churches he helped establish.As we work through these people and Paul's comments, I want you to think through the people you've served alongside or worshiped with in the church in years past. For me, lot's of people come to mind. Like going back to the church I attended in college. People I served alongside in the youth group ministry there, others with whom I sang in the choir. I also have dear friends and ministry partners from our parent church, Westminster. And now, the Lord has brought us together here at Tucker Pres.You see, the beginning of chapter 16 is a beautiful picture of the local church. God had brought them all together from different places, called to faith at different times, from different backgrounds. Just as he has done for us here. And it's encouraging to read.Rather than having points this morning, as we look at these verses, I want to draw out several principles. As we get to them, I'll make them clear.And like I mentioned earlier, one of the most amazing things here is that Paul had never been to Rome! Yet look at all the people and households that he is greeting. It's an amazing testimony to God's work. And it's a picture of the church for us. Paul was intensely relational. Think of the hundreds and hundreds of people he met, many he led to faith, others he served with. He never forgot them. And Paul dearly loved these people.“Greet my beloved Epaenetus… Ampiliatus, my beloved in the Lord… my beloved Stachys… beloved Persis.” Do you hear that heart felt love for these dear saints? He longed to be with each of them. For many reasons. Besides serving alongside of some of them, in the case of Andronicus and Junia, he had been in prison with them. Maybe that was in Philippi. Kinsman there likely indicates they were his relatives as well. Or consider Rufus's mother – Paul says, greet her, for she “has been a mother to me as well.”Here's the first principal for the church: 1. Cherish one another in Christ. God has brought us together to worship, to disciple and minister to one another, to pray for and serve others. And we're to cherish, to love each other.I think part of that is captured in the beginning of verse 16. “Greet one another with a holy kiss” Now, I'm not advocating that you kiss one another. No, that's not culturally common for us. Maybe we should translate it, “greet one another with a holy side-hug.” In seriousness, it gives us a glimpse of the affection we're to have for one another. In these first 16 verses, that word greet is used 18 times. 16 of them, it's Paul sending his specific greetings to specific people. But here, he directs them to greet one another. Not just with a “hi, good to see you” No, but to cherish one another in the church. To deeply care for one another. We're called to be a church that embodies Paul's model and the encouragement he gives for us to love one another.And part of what that involves, and this is going to lead us to a second principle… part of what that involves is giving and receiving people for the expansion of the church. I'll give you several examples here and explain it more, but here's the second principle for the church:2. Embrace the global work of the church in Christ.We're not isolated congregations. No, the church is one church with many local manifestations. We're to minister alongside one another, share people, and resources, and participate together in planting new churches.Look at the sentiment that Paul highlights at the end of verse 16. “All the churches of Christ greet you.” He was affirming to this new congregation in Rome… that the churches in Asia Minor, in Macedonia, in Greece, in Jerusalem, in Syria, they all greet you. We're in this together.In fact, many of those in the church in Rome had come from those various churches. Isn't that amazing to think about? We don't often think of the people of the first century as moving around a lot. But for the sake of the church, they did!We see a personal glimpse of that right in verses 1 and 2. Pheobe was moving to Rome. She's the one delivering Paul's letter to them. She was a servant in the church in Cenecrae – that's right near Corinth. It's where Paul wrote this letter. He affirmed her service, he wrote “Welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints.” Care for her needs. She'll need help resettling. Sending and receiving people. That's the hardest part of this principle. It will be hard for us if and when we get to the place of wanting to plant a church. I'm not saying we're near that point. But Lord willing we will get to that point, maybe that's years away. But that's what the church should do. It's how the church in Rome started. And it will be hard. Difficult to send dear friends away, partners in ministry.But think about the Lord's work here at TPC. How God brought us all together. Think about what God has been doing to deepen our relationships and work together. For the purpose of starting a new church. Take a second. Look around the room. I'm being serious. This is not a ploy to get you to wake up. Well, maybe. Look around. God has brought us together. We're developing new relationships, new ministry together, discipleship, and worshipping together. I was thinking of listing your names. But even thinking of that made me a little teary at what God has been doing. We are an example of the local church embracing the global work of the church in ChristAnd it's not that we're just receiving. No, we're also sending out. You see, the sending and receiving of people includes people moving for work and other reasons. Priscilla and Aquilla are an example of that. If you remember, they were originally from Rome. They had to flee because of persecution. They met Paul in Corinth, served alongside him there. Then went to Ephesus. But we learn here that they are back in Rome, back home. Even in our short time, we've said goodbye to some for jobs, and school, and marriage. And we can say to the church in Jackson, MS, and Lynchburg, VA, and Durham, NC, and Huntsville, AL, and Copper Mountain, CO. We can say to the church in all those cities… “greet our beloved in the Lord.”Why? because the local church is part of the global church. It's a web of relationships and ministry together, and greetings in Christ. And we are called to embrace the global work of the church in Christ.And related to that second principle is a third thing that the local church should be seeking. Striving to represent the global church. That's the third principal. 3. Strive to represent the global church in Christ. Let me put it this way, because I don't want to be confusing. We should strive to represent, in part, the global church. “strive to” meaning more than just desire. For the sake of the Gospel, we welcome people to the church from any background and any situation, whether similar or different from each of us.Why am I saying this? Well, look at this list of people in the church in Rome. They represented people from all over the northern Mediterranean region including people from different of societal divisions. Priscilla and Aquilla were Jewish. We know that from Acts 18. Also Jewish were Paul's kinsman whom he identified. Likely Mary was, too, named after the Hebrew Miriam. A couple other names like Appeles and Rufus were common Jewish names found in inscriptions and graves in Rome. Rufus is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark chapter 15.And I should add, names in the first century were much more indicative of a person's heritage. Several Greek names are scattered throughout Paul's list like Asyncritus, Phlegon, Patrobus and Philologus. The list includes names derived from Greek mythology like Hermes and Olympus.Two households are mentioned, Aristobulus and Narcissus. It's not clear whether they were also believers, but the Gospel had reached their households – which would include servants and perhaps extended family. On the other hand, the name Amplias, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis were all common names in Roman imperial households. So quite a diversity in the church in Rome.Yes, a lot of that is deduction based on names and brief comments and cross references. But overall, it points to a first century church that brought the Gospel to every tribe, tongue, and nation, and every situation in life and societal status. One that welcomed people from all over. Supported and cared for all who would believe in Christ. To be sure, every church's context is different and the Lord is the one who brings people. But it's something for the church, for us, as a church, to strive for - to represent the global church in Christ.But how does this all happen? What brings people together from all these backgrounds and situations. Think of the cultural and societal differences that each brought to the church community in Rome. What would give them that unity to be a people committed to love one another, living in fellowship and working in ministry together?Well, the answer is also lies here in these verses. In fact, it's the how to all of these principles. How to cherish one another, how to embrace the global church, and how to welcome and love people no matter where we are each from, no matter our situation in life.Here's the last principle… and I would say, the most important and unifying principle for the local church: 4. Unite together in Christ.Meaning, we should make our union in Christ the main thing that makes us a local church. That unity in Christ is all throughout these verses. It's the most prevalent theme that brings this all together. It's what connected Paul to these believers. It's what connected them to one another. And it's what connected them to all the churches. Do you see it in these verses? I think it's easy to skip right over, but it's right there. “In the Lord,” “In Christ,” “In Christ Jesus.” For example, “Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ.” or “Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.” 10 direct references to these believers being in Jesus. The only other idea in these verses used more is the word “greet.” But that greeting is because each one of these saints is “in Christ.”It's what unites them. It's what unites us.And allow me to get a little theological here. This is more than just saying that Christians are united because we believe the same thing about Jesus. No, it's much deeper than that. The Holy Spirit unites us to Christ. We are ingrafted into the vine – Christ. That's one of the metaphors Scripture uses to describe our union. He abides in us and we in him. Through that work of the Holy Spirit, we are in Christ. We draw our strength from him, are forgiven and justified in him. Earlier in the book of Romans, chapter 6, Paul explains the benefits of our union with Christ. We've died in him and will be raised in him. We have a future hope because of that union. In other words, through our union with Christ, we receive all the blessings and benefits of Jesus's death on the cross and his resurrection. And part of that. Part of our union in Christ, is we become united to one another. We're adopted into the family of God. And that's what's emphasized here. We're united together because we're united in Christ.That little phrase, “in the Lord,” “In Jesus” “In Christ” is used all throughout the New Testament. It's full of meaning and grace.It's what unites all these church principles together. Did you hear that phrase “in Christ” in each of them?1. The first principle, cherish one another in Christ. It's the reason and the means to call one another beloved.2. The second principle, embrace the global work of the church in Christ. Our union in Christ is the reason the local and global church are partners together.3. Third, strive to represent the global church in Christ. We're united in Christ to all believers – no matter our ethnicity, our age, our job or neighborhood or income.We are the body of Christ. And in that union, we can seek to unite to one another in him.So, for our little congregation, may we love one another… and see our church as the Lord's church and part of his broader church, here in Tucker and all over the world. All of it in and through Jesus.
Andronicus is counted as one of the Seventy. He and his fellow-worker Junia are mentioned by St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). Some, troubled that a woman is mentioned as an Apostle, have attempted to translate "Junia" as "Junias," a man's name; but the Fathers are united in treating her as "Junia." It may be that they were husband and wife, like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18), but the ancient witnesses do not tell us. Andronicus became Bishop of Pannonia, but did not stay in one place, instead travelling throughout the world to proclaim the Gospel. Both Andronicus and Junia were granted the gift of wonder-working. Both of them suffered for Christ and were finally martyred.
In the third week of the farewell tour arc it's time to empty out the mailbag as Jake and Blake answer all sorts of questions about the show and music, like; their favourite CHP episodes, what record was affected most by the "night before", dream guests for the podcast and what song is playing as the credits roll on the podcast.Come join the Patreon family for bonus episodes, mailbags, show notes and even more goodness: https://www.patreon.com/columbiahouseparty Follow @ColumbiaHP on Twitter! While you're there say hello to @BlakeMurphyODC and @JGoldsbie. If merch is your thing, be sure to check out the store: http://bit.ly/chpmerch Or reach out to the show and say hey: podcast@columbiahouseparty.com If you enjoyed today's show, please rate Columbia House Party 5-Stars on Apple Podcasts.See you next week for an all new episode of CHP.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4114831/advertisement
In this bonus pod Blake and Jake break down their favourite albums of the last decade. And if you're afraid of this being a uni-genre grouping, fear not. They've got tunes to tickle every fancy. This episode hits the best-of-the-best from 2010 to 2019, but if you want even more content head over to The Stringer for Blake's Top 100 & Jake's Top 50 lists.Come join the Patreon family for bonus episodes, mailbags, show notes and even more goodness: https://www.patreon.com/columbiahouseparty Follow @ColumbiaHP on Twitter! While you're there say hello to @BlakeMurphyODC and @JGoldsbie. If merch is your thing, be sure to check out the store: http://bit.ly/chpmerch Or reach out to the show and say hey: podcast@columbiahouseparty.com If you enjoyed today's show, please rate Columbia House Party 5-Stars on Apple Podcasts.See you next week for an all new episode of CHP.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4114831/advertisement
"At the time of the holy Patriarch Thomas I of Constantinople (607-610), the relics of some unknown holy Martyrs were discovered buried in the district of Eugenius. As soon as the Patriarch exposed them for the veneration of the people who gathered from all over the city, numerous healings took place. "Many years had gone by when a clergyman named Nicolas, who worked as a book copyist, learnt by divine revelation that among these anonymous relics were those of Saint Paul's disciples, the holy apostles Andronicus and Junia, who are mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans (16:7). The Emperor Andronicus I (1183-5) built a beautiful church at the place where thise relics were venerated." (Synaxarion)
Andronicus was a goldsmith who lived in Antioch during the reign of Theodosius the Great (379-395). He and his wife Athanasia were devout Christians who strove to follow Christ in all things. They gave a third of all that they earned to the poor, another third to the Church, and lived on the remainder. After they had two children, they agreed to live henceforth as brother and sister. Both their children died on the same day, and they grieved inconsolably until St Justin the Martyr appeared to Athanasia at the children's grave and told her that her children were in the Kingdom of God, happier than they had ever been on earth. Andronicus and Athanasia then travelled to Egypt, where each took up the monastic life in different monasteries. After living for many years in asceticism, they reposed in peace within ten days of one another.
Andronicus is counted as one of the Seventy. He and his fellow-worker Junia are mentioned by St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). Some, troubled that a woman is mentioned as an Apostle, have attempted to translate "Junia" as "Junias," a man's name; but the Fathers are united in treating her as "Junia." It may be that they were husband and wife, like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18), but the ancient witnesses do not tell us. Andronicus became Bishop of Pannonia, but did not stay in one place, instead travelling throughout the world to proclaim the Gospel. Both Andronicus and Junia were granted the gift of wonder-working. Both of them suffered for Christ and were finally martyred.
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