Jesus instructed believers in Jesus by faith to go out into the world and preach the gospel. The Word that was with God and was God, and was made flesh so that we could receive His precious gift of salvation. And, as a consequence of repenting, and acknowledging that Jesus Christ is Lord of all in our hearts, being water baptized by immersion in His name -- the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 2:36-47)
Often, when we think about Jesus, we think of His twelve appointed disciples, and how Judas fell by transgression, which later led to the appointing of Matthias to replace Judas. (Acts 1:24-26) And it is like these twelve remain a stagnant figure within our mind. Yet, as the disciples waited in Jerusalem for the promised power from on high, the number of followers of Jesus had multiplied -- the number of names together were an hundred and twenty. (Acts 1:13-15)
And then when the day of Pentecost had fully come, we see three thousand souls were pricked in their hearts, having just learned that this same Jesus whom ye had crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
"Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, and fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." (Acts 2:37-43)
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)
This brings me back to my original point. While we like to think of Jesus with the twelve, there were so many more disciples of Jesus whom are mentioned in passing in the scriptures, but of which we know very little about. Apostle Paul in writing to Philemon "our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer" and to Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house, mentions several believers.
In mentioning these disciples of Jesus by name, we begin to see how the body of Christ works together in one accord to fulfilling the mission of the gospel in the world today. In other words, we begin to see glimpses of real people and their response to Jesus call to "follow Me." (Matthew 4:19; Matthew 8:22; Matthew 9:9; Matthew 16:24; Matthew 19:21; Mark 2:14; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:2;1 Luke 5:27; Luke 9:23, 59; Luke 18:22; John 10:27; John 12:26;John 21:19)
First, there is "beloved Apphia" mentioned only once in Philemon 1:2, but worthy of mention as beloved nevertheless.
Then there is Archippus "our fellow soldier" -- also mentioned in Colossians 4:17. And says to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, and thou fulfill it." (Colossians 4:17)
To both Paul wrote, "Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of they love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus and toward all thy saints." (Philemon 1:1-5)
Marcus mentioned briefly as a fellow labourer with Aristarchus, Demas and Lucas in Philemon 1:24, is also referred to in Colossians 4:10. "Aristarchus my fellow prisoner salutes you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him)." He is also referenced in I Peter 5.
"But the God of all grace who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, amen. By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of god wherein ye stand. The church [that is] at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you, and [so does] Marcus my son. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace [be] with you all, that are in Christ Jesus. Amen." (I Peter 5:10-14)
Silvanus is mentioned three other times. He preached with Paul, as did Timotheus, and described as a "faithful brother unto you."
"By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand." (I Peter 5:12)
"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, [even] by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in Him was yea. For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him, amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now He which stablish us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, God -- who hath sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts ... not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand." (II Corinthians 1:19-24) Silvanus and Timotheus are also mentioned when writing unto the church of the Thessalonians. (I Thessalonians 1:1; II Thessalonians 1:1)
The faith journey and discipleship of Timotheus -- a fellow worker and brother to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ is well recorded in the scriptures. (Romans 16:21; Colossians 1:1-2)
"Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek. (Acts 16:1)
- "And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus, abode there still. And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed." (Acts 17:14-15)
"And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ." (Acts 18:5) "So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season." (Acts 19:22) "And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus." (Acts 20:4)
"Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he works the work of the Lord, as I also do ... My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (I Corinthians 16:10, 24; II Corinthians 1:19)
"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons ... But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state." (Philippians 1:1; Philippians 2:19)
"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 1:1)
"And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith .... but now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you." (I Thessalonians 3:2; I Thessalonians 3:6; II Thessalonians 1:1)
"Timotheus my work fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you." (Romans 16:21)
We first see Jason -- (a kinsman according to Romans 16:21) when the Jews that believed not were moved with envy and assaulted the house of Jason.
"But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also ... whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus ... and when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go." (Acts 17:5-9)
It would appear that not much is known of Soipater, only being mentioned once in the scriptures -- "Timotheus my work fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you." (Romans 16:21)
Then there is Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, "who is for you a faithful minister of Christ," who is one of you, a servant of Christ, "always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." (Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12; Philemon 1:23)
Lucas is described as a fellow labourer in Jesus and a friend to Paul while imprisoned. (Philemon 1:23)
Indeed, Paul and Timotheus to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are in Colosse acknowledges these and Tychicus too. Tychicus "declared unto you, who is a beloved brother and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate [circumstances] and comfort your hearts." (Colossians 4:7-8)
"And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus, and Trophimus." (Acts 20:4)
"But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things ..," (Ephesians 6:21)
"And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus." (II Timothy 4:12) "When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to winter." (Titus 3:12)
Artemus, like Sopater of Berea, Quartus a brother, and Secundus are mentioned only once. But Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minster and fellow servant in the Lord much more often, having been sent to Ephesus, and possibly to Nicopolis, wherein Paul was determined to winter. (Colossians 4:7; II Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12)
"And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus." (Acts 20:4) Paul instructs Tychicus in Ephesians, saying, "But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things ... grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, amen." (Ephesians 6: 21-24)
The faith journey of Gaius of Derbe is also elaborated on, Gaisu mine host (whom Paul had baptized and whom he loved in the truth), and of the whole church, writes Paul, "saluteth you." (Romans 16:23; I Corinthians 1:14; III John 1:1).
"And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre." (Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4)
"Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother." (Romans 16:23)
Erastus was sent with Timotheus into Macedonia to minister unto the man in whom the evil spirit was, and as a consequence, the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified, while Paul himself stayed in Asia for a season. (Acts 19:1-23) Erastus abode at Corinth. (II Timothy 4:20)
"Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick," writes Paul, which is an interesting sidebar given that Paul sent handkerchiefs to those who were sick and they were healed. (II Timothy 4:20) Trophimus was an Ephesian, "whom they supposed that \Paul had brought into the temple." (Acts 21:29) After the uproar over the Ephesian goddess Diana had ceased, and the people somewhat appeased, Paul called unto him certain disciples and had given them much exhortation. Trophimus is one of those disciples who accompanied him into Asia -- these going before tarried for us at Troas. (Acts 20:1-5) Nothing more is said.
" ... with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. " (Colossians 4:18)
"I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds ..." (Philemon 1:10)
"And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus." (II Timothy 4:12) "When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to winter." (Titus 3:12)
Artemus, like Sopater of Berea, Quartus a brother, and Secundus are mentioned only once. But Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minster and fellow servant in the Lord much more often, having been sent to Ephesus, and possibly to Nicopolis, wherein Paul was determined to winter. (Colossians 4:7; II Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12)
"And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus." (Acts 20:4) Paul instructs Tychicus in Ephesians, saying, "But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things ... grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, amen." (Ephesians 6: 21-24)
The faith journey of Gaius of Derbe is also elaborated on, Gaisu mine host (whom Paul had baptized and whom he loved in the truth), and of the whole church, writes Paul, "saluteth you." (Romans 16:23; I Corinthians 1:14; III John 1:1).
"And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre." (Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4)
"Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother." (Romans 16:23)
Erastus was sent with Timotheus into Macedonia to minister unto the man in whom the evil spirit was, and as a consequence, the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified, while Paul himself stayed in Asia for a season. (Acts 19:1-23) Erastus abode at Corinth. (II Timothy 4:20)
"Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick," writes Paul, which is an interesting sidebar given that Paul sent handkerchiefs to those who were sick and they were healed. (II Timothy 4:20) Trophimus was an Ephesian, "whom they supposed that \Paul had brought into the temple." (Acts 21:29) After the uproar over the Ephesian goddess Diana had ceased, and the people somewhat appeased, Paul called unto him certain disciples and had given them much exhortation. Trophimus is one of those disciples who accompanied him into Asia -- these going before tarried for us at Troas. (Acts 20:1-5) Nothing more is said.
" ... with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. " (Colossians 4:18)
"I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds ..." (Philemon 1:10)
"They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellow servant salutes 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 fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me ...
... Epaphras who is one of you, a servant of Christ saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all 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, 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 ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you, Amen." (Colossians 4:7-18)
And then there is Demas who along with Luke the beloved physician greets us, and "salutethe brethren which are in Laodicea and Nymphas, ad the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also int he church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the [epistle] from Laodicea, and say to Archippus, "take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." (Colossians 4:14-18; Philemon 1:24)
According to these particular scriptures, all was well with Demas, and then we read, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia." (II Timothy 4:10)
Be blessed in the name of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ. Stand in the offering plate.
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