Read: Colossians 1:24-28
Colossians was an epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, a city in Phrygia in Asia Minor. Asia Minor is the place where the continents of Asia and Europe meet. It is also known by its Greek name, Anatolia. In the past, Asia Minor was a meeting point for travelers passing between Asia and Europe. Today it is part of the country of Turkey.
At that time, the gospel was reaching regions beyond where it started, which is in Jerusalem. Colossae, 1,463 kilometers away from Jerusalem, was one of the far flung places reached by the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and where a local church was eventually founded. The church in Colossae was apparently pioneered by Epaphras (Colossians 1:3-8).
Indeed Colossae, at that time when travel was mainly by foot or by camel ride, was a region way beyond Jerusalem. It must have taken weeks or even months for missionaries to get there.
But they were reached by the gospel, the news about the risen Jesus! Paul was so happy when he heard about the thriving church in Colossae. The letter to the Colossians was written approximately in the latter first century, possibly AD 62.
Even though Paul may not have visited Colossae, he certainly heard about the believers there as reported by Epaphras. It is interesting to note that Epaphras was converted by Paul in Ephesus.
According to the Apostle Paul, at one time the Collosians were unsaved, too, but now they are saved (Colossians 1:21-23).
From verses 24-27 we can see how they came to receive the gospel:
- First, Paul was called and received the mystery of Christ
- Second, Paul preached the gospel and many believed him, including Epaphras
- Third, Epaphras went to Colossae as a missionary
- Fourth, the Colossian church was founded
Hence, through the ministry of the Apostle Paul, the Colossian believers became sharers of the glory of Christ, holders of the great hope that is in Him.
By now you could tell that this is our exact same experience. God called the Apostle Arsenio T. Ferriol. He preached the gospel and people believed his message about Jesus, including the ones used by God to share us as well the gospel. And so we came to understand that Christ is our hope of glory.
So now, it is our turn to lead others to take hold of Christ, the hope of glory. Like Epaphras, let us go and reach regions beyond us as well. Let us not be stuck in one place. It is now possible to reach regions beyond because of the technology that we have at the present time. You can have virtual Bible Studies, virtual contacts, virtual guests.
This summer we have the Summer of Great Commission. Let us make ourselves a part of it. People, like the Colossians used to, are alienated from God – v. 21. Paul was saying, “God called me to preach the gospel, therefore, it was for your sakes, Colossians, that I became a minister of God.
With God’s calling of His sent one are guaranteed souls to be won to God.
So as partners of the Apostle, let us preach the gospel, because God wants to make the hope of glory known.
The calling of the Apostle is the guarantee of our success in evangelism.
So, who will go and preach the gospel? Who will say, “I will be a partner of the Apostle, the way Epaphras was a partner to the Apostle Paul?
It starts in prayer. Colossians 4:12 says, Epaphras wrestled in prayer for the Colossian church.
Reflect:
Will you be like Epaphras? One who is going to be used for the salvation of others? One who will reveal the hope of glory?
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