One of the things scripture teaches is that each individual matters and is important. The Bible contains the names of many individuals. We know details about some of the people listed in the Bible. Other people we only know because their name is written in God’s book. Each and every person is important … consider this, people have been reading their names for over 2,000 years … even if it is only a name, it is an identifier of someone who is important to God.
The Scripture contains many details about some people, such as the Apostles. Bible studies have been developed around their personalities, their good points, and their bad points. We can learn because this grouping of people lived and became examples for us.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are listings of people of whom we know nothing but their names. Consider the following passage:
“Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.” (Romans 16)
The things we know about each person are that they were believers, they were important to their community ( ἐκκλησία), they were known to the Apostle Paul (who wrote the letter), and they mattered to God (who made sure their names were included in His book).
Sometimes, unless it is pointed out to us, we miss some information about people who are included in the Scripture. Take the formerly blind man named Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52), or Simon of Cyrene (and his sons, Alexander and Rufus - Mark 15:21), these, and a host of other named individuals became Christians, and known members of the church (ἐκκλησία). If these individuals did not join the body of the early church, there would have only been the mention of a nameless blind man who was healed or the foreigner who was forced to carry the cross of Jesus. The Bible is able to name these people and tell what they did because God used their lives to advance His kingdom.
There are, of course, too many Christians to name in the Bible. Acts 2:41 mentions 3,000 individuals (a reflection of Exodus 32:28 or Joshua 7:3?). Acts 4:4 tells about 5,000 who believed. The Word of God would become too long if each and every individual was called by name. But the early Christians each served God according through the unique Spiritual Gifts God gave them. Some lived life peacefully. Others went to prison like John the Apostle (Rev. 1:9). Some died as martyrs (Hebrews 11-12; Rev. 6:9-11) at the point of the sword, because they were mauled by wild animals, or by burning at the stake or as a lantern along the road to the Coliseum.
Each and every Christian who lived out God’s calling has a story of valor and accomplishment. No one who obeyed God is insignificant, only those who faded and did not follow God’s calling. Now, the question is, will you live a life of significance, or will you hide in the shadows, finding redemption only because God is merciful. (Luke 19:12-26)
Sometimes, unless it is pointed out to us, we miss some information about people who are included in the Scripture. Take the formerly blind man named Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52), or Simon of Cyrene (and his sons, Alexander and Rufus - Mark 15:21), these, and a host of other named individuals became Christians, and known members of the church (ἐκκλησία). If these individuals did not join the body of the early church, there would have only been the mention of a nameless blind man who was healed or the foreigner who was forced to carry the cross of Jesus. The Bible is able to name these people and tell what they did because God used their lives to advance His kingdom.
There are, of course, too many Christians to name in the Bible. Acts 2:41 mentions 3,000 individuals (a reflection of Exodus 32:28 or Joshua 7:3?). Acts 4:4 tells about 5,000 who believed. The Word of God would become too long if each and every individual was called by name. But the early Christians each served God according through the unique Spiritual Gifts God gave them. Some lived life peacefully. Others went to prison like John the Apostle (Rev. 1:9). Some died as martyrs (Hebrews 11-12; Rev. 6:9-11) at the point of the sword, because they were mauled by wild animals, or by burning at the stake or as a lantern along the road to the Coliseum.
Each and every Christian who lived out God’s calling has a story of valor and accomplishment. No one who obeyed God is insignificant, only those who faded and did not follow God’s calling. Now, the question is, will you live a life of significance, or will you hide in the shadows, finding redemption only because God is merciful. (Luke 19:12-26)
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