Epenetus?
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.
They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.” Romans 16:13-5.
I don’t suppose there are many sermons written around Epenetus. I just happened to read his name while reading the book of Romans the other day.
What perked my interest was Epenetus was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Epenetus when he received Christ as his saviour had no one except those who led him to the Lord to fellowship with.
Whatever happened to him we will never know this side of heaven. The thing is however the salvation of souls in Asia had to start with someone and it just so happened to be Epenetus.
Question, if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus can you think of the first person you led to the Lord?
It is the job of every believer in Christ Jesus to evangelize and teach new converts. Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Do you evangelize? I know not everyone can get up in the pulpit and preach. Not everyone can go to a foreign land a present the gospel. Not everyone can teach. Still we can all to something.
Many years ago now I remember a little girl she was eight or nine at the time. Her parents didn’t go to church but they let her go down the street to Sunday school at a nearby church.
That little girl came to know the Lord as her saviour. It led to her brother coming to church and eventually her parents came. All of whom came to know the Lord as their saviour.
All because a little girl came to Sunday school.
If she can do it anyone can do it. They can do it because Christ can use anyone who is willing to let him work in their life.
The reason this little girl was so effective was her parents could see something positive in her life. They also wanted to know what she was being taught. Thus they came.
The pastor and the members of the church welcomed them in love. They never forced anything on them. They never in any way looked down on them. They allowed God to show them the truth. Thus in due time they asked Christ into their life.
I believe is one claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus. It is incumbent on us to present the gospel of Christ in love and let the individual we are presenting it to, to make up their own mind.
I’m sure that’s what happened with Epenetus.
Thus the question becomes, if you are true follower of Christ Jesus are you presenting the gospel in love both in word and in deed to those around you?
Please think about it.
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.
They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.” Romans 16:13-5.
I don’t suppose there are many sermons written around Epenetus. I just happened to read his name while reading the book of Romans the other day.
What perked my interest was Epenetus was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Epenetus when he received Christ as his saviour had no one except those who led him to the Lord to fellowship with.
Whatever happened to him we will never know this side of heaven. The thing is however the salvation of souls in Asia had to start with someone and it just so happened to be Epenetus.
Question, if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus can you think of the first person you led to the Lord?
It is the job of every believer in Christ Jesus to evangelize and teach new converts. Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Do you evangelize? I know not everyone can get up in the pulpit and preach. Not everyone can go to a foreign land a present the gospel. Not everyone can teach. Still we can all to something.
Many years ago now I remember a little girl she was eight or nine at the time. Her parents didn’t go to church but they let her go down the street to Sunday school at a nearby church.
That little girl came to know the Lord as her saviour. It led to her brother coming to church and eventually her parents came. All of whom came to know the Lord as their saviour.
All because a little girl came to Sunday school.
If she can do it anyone can do it. They can do it because Christ can use anyone who is willing to let him work in their life.
The reason this little girl was so effective was her parents could see something positive in her life. They also wanted to know what she was being taught. Thus they came.
The pastor and the members of the church welcomed them in love. They never forced anything on them. They never in any way looked down on them. They allowed God to show them the truth. Thus in due time they asked Christ into their life.
I believe is one claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus. It is incumbent on us to present the gospel of Christ in love and let the individual we are presenting it to, to make up their own mind.
I’m sure that’s what happened with Epenetus.
Thus the question becomes, if you are true follower of Christ Jesus are you presenting the gospel in love both in word and in deed to those around you?
Please think about it.
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