by Gordon Franz
Introduction
When the apostle Paul penned the epistle to the Ephesians in AD 62, Aquila and Priscilla were back in Rome after living and serving the church in Ephesus for several years. I am sure; however, they were not forgotten by the saints there. Perhaps the Apostle Paul had Aquila and Priscilla in mind [...]
-
27Sep
-
28May
by Gordon Franz
Introduction
In 1980, the country singer Willie Nelson released an album entitled Honeysuckle Rose. On it was one of Nelson’s most memorable tunes, “On the Road Again.” You know the words:
On the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin’ music with my friends
And I can’t wait [...] -
21May
by Gordon Franz
Introduction
Sometimes I will see this little ditty on the marquee of a church: “The family that prays together – stays together.” There is a lot of truth to that statement. I suspect that it was true of the household of Stephanas. Not only did they pray together, but they also poured their lives [...] -
20Oct
by Gordon Franz (continued)
The Reasons for Two-by-Two
As we have seen, there are no “Lone Ranger” missionaries in the New Testament; the pattern is always disciples going forth two-by-two with the gospel in order to plant churches. I believe that there are at least four reasons why Jesus and the Holy Spirit set this pattern.The first [...]
-
20Oct
by Gordon Franz
Introduction
Several reasons for a high attrition rate among missionaries are discouragement and loneliness on the mission field. An individual or couple may go out for a few years and when they return home for furlough, decide not to go back to the field again for these reasons. One wonders if following a Biblical [...] -
20Oct
by Gordon Franz (continued)
Applications
We have conjectured on the ethnicity and social status of some of these saints in the church in Rome. When we get to Heaven, we will be able to sit down and talk with them, hear their own testimonies as to how they came to faith in the Lord Jesus, when and [...] -
20Oct
by Gordon Franz (continued)
Greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobus, Hermes, and the brethren – 16:14
This group of five names seems to be greetings to the leadership in one of the local assemblies within the city of Rome. Paul addresses these individuals as well as those that meet with them as “brethren”. Interestingly, the next group [...] -
20Oct
by Gordon Franz (continued)
Greetings to Amplias – 16:8
This name was derived from the Latin name Ampliatus, a name which was common in the Roman imperial household. The name has been found at least eighty times on inscriptions in Rome. This cognomen was used by one of the branches of the gens Aurelia. One interesting inscription [...] -
20Oct
by Gordon Franz (continued)
Greetings to Epaenetus – 16:5b
The next person to be greeted is Epaenetus. Paul described him as “beloved” and the “first fruit of Achaia.” The city of Corinth was the capital of Achaia so we can assume that he was the first person Paul led to the Lord upon his arrival in Corinth [...] -
16Oct
by Gordon Franz (continued)
The Apostle Paul Sends Instructions to Greet Various Saints in the Church in Rome. 16:3-16
Before we look at the names of the people in the church at Rome, we should look at the formation of the church in the “eternal city.” When did the gospel first arrive in Rome and what was [...]