Aristarchus my fellowprisoner
saluteth you, and Marcus,
sister's son to Barnabas,
(touching whom ye received
commandments: if he come
unto you, receive him;) and
Jesus, which is called Justus,
who are of the circumcision.
These only are my fellowworkers
unto the kingdom of God, which
have been a comfort unto me.
Colossians 4:10-11
As we come to the close of this letter to the Colossians we find Paul speaking of those who were laboring in the spread of the Gospel of the kingdom of God. Aristarchus a fellowworker with Paul was mentioned in Acts 27:2. Others were mentioned and one in view is that of Marcus who was a nephew of Barnabas whom Paul has differed with on account of Mark. What we now find is that Paul and Barnabas had reconciled, and even Paul recommends him to the Churches as an example of a true Christian and with a forgiving spirit. There are those in our Churches who are worshipping with us who may have in the past misconducted but are not faithful workers for the kingdom of God, and are beloved brothers. As Authentic Christians we not only forgive, we forget.
We find not only Gentiles converts with Paul, we find Hebrews who were converts to Christianity and all had communion with each other as they served the kingdom of God. Each were working out their salvation and were bringing the gospel to others who too can endeavor in their pursuit to live as an Authentic Christian. This too is our example that we are to be workers for the kingdom of God. We are to be good ministers who take comfort in their fellow workers. This friendship is one of eternal brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ and we converse with them, we refresh each other and take of them when they are facing difficulties. Paul continues his admonition for those who were working for the kingdom of God: "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye man stand perfect and complete in the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis" (Colossians 4:12-13). Those two cities mentioned were only a few miles north of Colossae, and were close enough to each other to be associated with Colossae. Prayer, Epaphroditus had learned to pray and this he did fervently for his friends. Prayer is so important that to forget to pray is be apathetic towards the kingdom of God which we all are as a child of God. Prayer may, and often does, take great pain to be earnest in prayer remembering that our prayers are not just for ourselves, it is for others also.
"Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministgry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. This salutation by the hand of me Paul. remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen" (Colossians 4: 14-18). There were some, if not all, meeting in homes and this may be due to the persecution that was coming upon Christians in many of the localities due much to the turmoil that the emperor Nero was causing in Rome. Nero had gone mad in the sense that he suspected almost everyone and when he needed to be absolved from some of his antics, he burned Rome and placed the blame on Christians. Other cites were already causing grief and this just add fire to their already persecution against Christians. The world is much different today here in the United States where Christians are not under such persecution as the early church, yet, Christians are being affronted by those who would destroy religion and especially Christianity. Therefore, we too must prepare that a time may come when we too must worship together privately, even in fear of the government. This should drive Christians to remain close to one another and not separate themselves just because others are not exactly what they believe a Christian should believe. I am not speaking of false teaching, or heresy, rather that they are not as far along in their walk with Christ and are in need of close relationship with more mature Christians.
Paul reminded Archippus to take heed to the ministry, and so we too should do the same for we all have a ministry. We should not be in a congregation or following some ministers due to flattery, or those smiles that are hiding even heresy. Often those smiles and flatteries are from being associated with this world's culture. True ministers of God are far from deceit, and are not deceptive, having a spirit of error, to be working for self-love, a self-aggrandizement reaching out for power and money. True Authentic Christian ministers are to be examples of Jesus Christ and all preaching the same doctrine as Paul instructed the ministers in the Churches. We all want the blessing of God and to have His Divine favor, then, we follow Jesus Christ and maintain a close relationship with Him.
Keep thy foot when thou goest
to the house of God, and be
ready to hear, than to give the
sacrifice of fools: for they
consider not that they do evil.
Ecclesiasties 5:1
Grace and Peace to You From the Father
Richard L. Crumb
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