The Early Christians
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Paul preaching.
By French neoclassical artist Eustache Le Sueur (1617-1655).
By French neoclassical artist Eustache Le Sueur (1617-1655).
The Early Christians
We tend to think that the first Christians were of modest or lowly means. And it's true; many were beggars, servants, and slaves. Others were poor fishermen and shepherds. Another convert was the thief who hung on the cross next to Jesus (Luke 23:39-43). But there were also wealthy, prominent early Christians who held powerful positions.
For example, there was -
Lydia - Lydia was a wealthy merchant from Thyatira who lived and worked in Philippi. She was one of the first Europeans to convert to Christianity. Paul, and his group stayed at her home several times when visiting Philippi (Acts 16:14-15; 16:40).
Joanna - Joanna was the well-connected wife of Chuza, King Herod's steward. Chuza managed the royal palace. After Jesus miraculously healed Joanna (Luke 8:2-3), she became a devoted supporter. Along with Mary Magdalene and Mary (the mother of James and Joses), she was among the first to spread the news of Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24:10).
The man of Ethiopia - This unnamed Christian was a man of "great authority." He was a high-ranking government official who reported to Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia. He was in charge of "all her treasure" (Acts 8:27).
Cornelius - Cornelius was a career army officer in the Roman army. He was a centurion, a rank equivalent to a captain, with the "Italian band" (Acts 10:1) with one hundred men under his command. Although he was part of the dreaded Roman occupation and a Gentile, Cornelius earned Jewish respect because he prayed to the God of Israel (Acts 10:2). Stationed in Caesarea, the capital of Palestine, Cornelius was the first Gentile to be baptized (Acts 10:46-48).
Manaen - A prophet and teacher. We learn in Acts 13:1 that Manaen was raised with King Herod. Some Bible scholars suggest they may have been close childhood friends or even stepbrothers.
Sergius Paulus - The Roman Governor of Cyprus (Acts 13:12). Historians have described Sergius as well-educated. He became a believer after witnessing Paul strike Elymas, the evil sorcerer, blind (Acts 13:8-11).
The leading women of Thessalonica - A notable group who believed (Acts 17:4).
Prominent Greek men and women of Berea - A well-respected group mentioned in Acts 17:12.
Erastus - A devout Christian and the chamberlain (treasurer) for the city of Corinth (Romans 16:23). Erastus handled the city finances and was likely an influential town leader. After his conversion, he gave up his high-profile position to minister in Asia (Acts 19:22).
Emperor Nero's staff - Mentioned in Philippians 4:22.
Joseph of Arimathaea - Joseph was a well-connected Pharisee and wealthy (Matthew 27:57) member of the Sanhedrin, the powerful Jewish high council (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50-51). He was a believer (John 19:38), but initially kept his faith secret out of fear of the Pharisees' (John 12:42). Joseph was not present the night the Sanhedrin convicted the Messiah of blasphemy and condemned Him to death (Luke 23:50-51). After the crucifixion, Joseph begged Pilate for Jesus' body, took Him down from the cross (Mark 15:43-46), prepared the Messiah for burial, and provided the tomb for Jesus to be buried in (Matthew 27:57-60). Joseph appears in all four Gospels.
Nicodemus - Like Joseph of Arimathaea, Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish high council. Unlike most of the Pharisees, Nicodemus believed that Jesus could perform miracles and was "from God" (John 3:1-2). He secretly visited Jesus in the dead of night and defended Him (John 7:50-51). When Nicodemus was absent, the Jewish high council convicted Jesus of blasphemy. After the crucifixion, when Jesus' disciples went into hiding, Nicodemus risked his position to help bury our Lord (John 19:39-42). Many Bible scholars believe that Nicodemus was one of the three wealthiest men in Jerusalem but lost everything to the persecution he suffered for following Jesus.
Can you think of others?
We tend to think that the first Christians were of modest or lowly means. And it's true; many were beggars, servants, and slaves. Others were poor fishermen and shepherds. Another convert was the thief who hung on the cross next to Jesus (Luke 23:39-43). But there were also wealthy, prominent early Christians who held powerful positions.
For example, there was -
Lydia - Lydia was a wealthy merchant from Thyatira who lived and worked in Philippi. She was one of the first Europeans to convert to Christianity. Paul, and his group stayed at her home several times when visiting Philippi (Acts 16:14-15; 16:40).
Joanna - Joanna was the well-connected wife of Chuza, King Herod's steward. Chuza managed the royal palace. After Jesus miraculously healed Joanna (Luke 8:2-3), she became a devoted supporter. Along with Mary Magdalene and Mary (the mother of James and Joses), she was among the first to spread the news of Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24:10).
The man of Ethiopia - This unnamed Christian was a man of "great authority." He was a high-ranking government official who reported to Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia. He was in charge of "all her treasure" (Acts 8:27).
Cornelius - Cornelius was a career army officer in the Roman army. He was a centurion, a rank equivalent to a captain, with the "Italian band" (Acts 10:1) with one hundred men under his command. Although he was part of the dreaded Roman occupation and a Gentile, Cornelius earned Jewish respect because he prayed to the God of Israel (Acts 10:2). Stationed in Caesarea, the capital of Palestine, Cornelius was the first Gentile to be baptized (Acts 10:46-48).
Manaen - A prophet and teacher. We learn in Acts 13:1 that Manaen was raised with King Herod. Some Bible scholars suggest they may have been close childhood friends or even stepbrothers.
Sergius Paulus - The Roman Governor of Cyprus (Acts 13:12). Historians have described Sergius as well-educated. He became a believer after witnessing Paul strike Elymas, the evil sorcerer, blind (Acts 13:8-11).
The leading women of Thessalonica - A notable group who believed (Acts 17:4).
Prominent Greek men and women of Berea - A well-respected group mentioned in Acts 17:12.
Erastus - A devout Christian and the chamberlain (treasurer) for the city of Corinth (Romans 16:23). Erastus handled the city finances and was likely an influential town leader. After his conversion, he gave up his high-profile position to minister in Asia (Acts 19:22).
Emperor Nero's staff - Mentioned in Philippians 4:22.
Joseph of Arimathaea - Joseph was a well-connected Pharisee and wealthy (Matthew 27:57) member of the Sanhedrin, the powerful Jewish high council (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50-51). He was a believer (John 19:38), but initially kept his faith secret out of fear of the Pharisees' (John 12:42). Joseph was not present the night the Sanhedrin convicted the Messiah of blasphemy and condemned Him to death (Luke 23:50-51). After the crucifixion, Joseph begged Pilate for Jesus' body, took Him down from the cross (Mark 15:43-46), prepared the Messiah for burial, and provided the tomb for Jesus to be buried in (Matthew 27:57-60). Joseph appears in all four Gospels.
Nicodemus - Like Joseph of Arimathaea, Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish high council. Unlike most of the Pharisees, Nicodemus believed that Jesus could perform miracles and was "from God" (John 3:1-2). He secretly visited Jesus in the dead of night and defended Him (John 7:50-51). When Nicodemus was absent, the Jewish high council convicted Jesus of blasphemy. After the crucifixion, when Jesus' disciples went into hiding, Nicodemus risked his position to help bury our Lord (John 19:39-42). Many Bible scholars believe that Nicodemus was one of the three wealthiest men in Jerusalem but lost everything to the persecution he suffered for following Jesus.
Can you think of others?