SATURDAY November 21, 2020
Fellow Believers in Christ
Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
Romans 16:8-11
In the final chapter of Romans, Paul named numerous people who God used in the Church. Historical records tell us Amplias was a slave, but apparently he served among the high-ranking people in society and was thought to have been rich. Paul mentioned Urbanus as a fellow worker. His name was found by an archeologist, side by side with the name Ampliatus, in a list of imperial freedmen , on an inscription, 115 AD. These findings confirm the Bible to be genuine.
Paul greeted Apelles who was approved in Christ. The word approved means “to be put to the test.” Apelles was proved––tested––although we do not know what exactly happened to him. Historically, Aristobulus was thought to be the grandson of Herod the Great, and a friend of Emperor Claudius. Imagine, Paul had influenced people in government. He touched people’s lives in the high places and low places of life. He went to preach to those who were poor people and those who were rich. Paul shared his faith with them, and many were converted, as we see their names appear in Romans 16.
Sometimes we do not really realize how many people’s lives we are touching with the Gospel of Christ. At church one evening, a man stopped me and apologized for breaking into my car. He stole my Bible! God touched his life as he read my notes, and he got saved! Incredible! God does the work in people’s lives all across the entire country.
As you read the names in Romans 16, think of your own life and consider your name. It is written in the Book of Life! As you remain in the Lord, your legacy will continue in the kingdom of God.
Keep company with the soundest Christians that have most experience of Christ.
~John Bunyan~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!