Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. Luke 10:1
Hippolytus of Rome gives us the oldest extant list of the 70 (Luke 10:1-7). Today’s post highlights his account of 1-10.
“1. James the Lord’s brother, bishop of Jerusalem.
2. Cleopas, bishop of Jerusalem.
3. Matthias, who supplied the vacant place in the number of the twelve apostles.
4. Thaddeus, who conveyed the epistle to Augarus.
5. Ananias, who baptized Paul, and was bishop of Damascus.
6. Stephen, the first martyr.
7. Philip, who baptized the eunuch.
8. Prochorus, bishop of Nicomedia, who also was the first that departed, believing together with his daughters.
9. Nicanor died when Stephen was martyred.
10. Timon, bishop of Bostra.”
Hippolytus of Rome in On the End of the World, 49.
What struck you in this first list? One filled “a vacant place” while another “conveyed an epistle.” Five are overseers or bishops. That tells me that board members matter!
One of these 10 was martyred. His story inspired everyone. Two baptized key people. Their lives influenced those they touched personally. Imagine if your role is to inspire others to be worldchangers?
In our GTP meetings in Mexico City we are mentioning the names of many ministry workers in South and Central America, much like the 70. Each one has influence to multiply stewards and help ministries follow standards.
Pray specifically for us to discern where God is working and how to mobilize them to collaborate. God, please guide our service to them by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.