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| Volume 18 Number 1 January 2016 | Page 3 |
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| Volume 18 Number 1 January 2016 | Page 3 |
Adam B. Cozort
When reading the Book of Acts, there are many names that are well known from Paul’s journeys. Men such as Paul, Silas, Barnabas, Timothy, Apollos and others are easily recognized and their exploits remembered. However, there are also a number of disciples whose lives are not as elaborately detailed in Scripture, but they serve just as much a lesson to us today.
Tucked away in a few verses of Acts 17 is the mention of one such disciple by the name of Jason. We know nothing about this man’s background, occupation or personal connection with any of the apostles. He is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture other than a possible mention by Paul in Romans 16:21. Yet in a few short verses of Acts 17, his actions have a lasting impact and bear an eternal reminder of the type of disciples God needs. Consider the text about this disciple.
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 they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. (Acts 17:5-9)
Jason was recognized as a Christian. The unbelieving Jews were looking for Paul and Silas. They had stirred up the entire city because of their anger and disbelief, and they wanted someone to bring before the rulers of the city. They were unable to find the apostle and his companion, so they settled for some others who were known to be Christians; prominent among these was Jason. He had not hidden his Christianity; he was not afraid because of his beliefs or fearful of others knowing who he followed and where he stood religiously. The indication from the text is that these unbelieving Jews did not have to go door-to-door through the city searching for Christians; they knew exactly where to find Jason and others in Thessalonica.
Jason was given to hospitality. Among the accusations that were brought before the rulers of the city was the fact that Jason had received into his home these preachers of the Gospel and housed them during their time in Thessalonica. When they originally came to Jason’s house, it was because they desired Paul and Silas, not Jason himself. It is possible Jason could have spared himself a great deal of grief if he had simply asked Paul and Silas to find other accommodations, but such does not appear to have been Jason’s nature. As a Christian, he opened his home to Paul and Silas, even though it meant having men assault his house in their anger at the preaching of the Truth.
Jason remained godly in the face of turbulence. There are two things that stick out in my mind reading the account of Jason. He never denied that Paul and Silas were staying with him, nor did he deny his faith in Christ. There would have been many, given the pressure of the mob and the local authorities, who would have sought to save their own skin and let Paul and Silas deal with it, but not Jason. He also handled himself correctly before the government. There was no sign of rebellion or insolence from Jason, but he paid his bond (“security” KJV) and handled the situation correctly. It would have been easy for Jason to compromise his faithfulness with anger and rashness in response to his treatment, but his actions were impeccable.
We need more disciples like Jason. One who, though not well known or the center of attention, committed his life to justly serving the cause of Christ. He was not afraid of his Christianity, but he embraced it. In this, we find help to proclaim the Gospel in every way possible. Like Jason and those Christians with him, we need to portray godliness in every aspect of life no matter how much turbulence boils up around.
Though we do not know much about the life of Jason, his example should never be ignored or forgotten. Let each of us endeavor to be an example like this faithful servant of Christ.
Baptism and the Blood of Jesus
Thomas Baxley
It is accepted and agreed upon by all who name the name of Jesus that it is His blood that cleanses us and saves us. The great debate seems to fall around when and where we contact that blood. Some contend that nothing is required of us, but His blood automatically has saved all. Others argue that the blood is applied only through belief or acceptance (sometimes accompanied by the sinner’s prayer). Still others affirm that the blood is only appropriated through obedience to the Gospel. What does the Bible have to say on the subject?
Jesus shed His blood in |
We are baptized into |
Jesus shed His blood for |
We are baptized for |
Jesus shed His blood so we could have |
Baptism is an appeal for a |
Jesus shed His blood so we could be washed from our sins (Revelation 1:5). |
We are baptized to be washed |
[Editor’s Note: God, through the inspired Bible, makes the inescapable correlation between the saving blood of Jesus Christ and immersion (Colossians 2:12) in water for the remission of sins. Hebrews 5:8-9 declares that Jesus Christ saves obedient souls. The penalty for not obeying the Gospel is “flaming fire,” “everlasting destruction” and eternal separation “from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; 1 Peter 4:17). Obedient souls will comply with our Lord’s instruction (Luke 6:46) to believe and to be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16), at which time the sacrificial blood of Christ on the heavenly side is applied to those souls. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]