Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Philippians 4:21-23
“I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of God which are with me, who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit. My bonds, which I carry about with me for the sake of Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), exhort you. Continue in harmony among yourselves, and in prayer with one another; for it becomes every one of you, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honour of the Father, of Jesus Christ, and of the apostles. I entreat you in love to hear me, that I may not, by having written, be a testimony against you. And do ye also pray for me, who have need of your love, along with the mercy of God, that I may be worthy of the lot for which I am destined, and that I may not be found reprobate.”
Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Trallians 12 (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).
For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.
These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.
In his letter to the Trallians, residents of the city of Tralles, sent from Smyrna, we see him use a powerful idea employed by Paul in his letter to the Philippians: Salute!
Paul boldly calls the Philippians to salute every saint. And he fearlessly adds that those in Caesar’s household salute them back. And with the salute comes generous refreshment.
Notice again the idea that Ignatius reports that he has received refreshment. Is there someone in ministry that you could salute and refresh in the new year?
At GTP we pray for God to raise up monthly givers. Can you consider sending $10 or $100 per month starting in January. Visit the PayPal link on the GTP giving page to set up your monthly gift.
Your gift sends refreshment and a salute to staff who minister in hard places and live in Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, and USA.