As I continue to explore the theme of “abundance” in the writings of the early church in the 40 days between Christ’s resurrection and ascension, I came upon the letter from Theophilus to Autolycus. Theophilus of Antioch (c. 120-183) was bishop and overseer of the Christian Church in Antioch in the second century. Antioch was the place that Luke recounts where disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians” (see the Scripture below). Today’s meditation follows from Theophilus to Autolycus 14, and describes the sharing of the good news in ancient terms (specifically calling Autolycus to believe in the resurrection) as well as celebrating the “abundance of good things” found only in Jesus Christ.
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:19-26
“Therefore, do not be skeptical, but believe; for I myself also used to disbelieve that this would take place, but now, having taken these things into consideration, I believe. At the same time, I met with the sacred Scriptures of the holy prophets, who also by the Spirit of God foretold the things that have already happened, just as they came to pass, and the things now occurring as they are now happening, and things future in the order in which they shall be accomplished…
But do you also, if you please, give reverential attention to the prophetic Scriptures, and they will make your way plainer for escaping the eternal punishments, and obtaining the eternal prizes of God. For He who gave the mouth for speech, and formed the ear to hear, and made the eye to see, will examine all things, and will judge righteous judgment, rendering merited awards to each. To those who by patient continuance in well-doing seek immortality, He will give life everlasting, joy, peace, rest, and abundance of good things, which neither hath eye seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.
But to the unbelieving and despisers, who obey not the truth, but are obedient to unrighteousness, when they shall have been filled with adulteries and fornications, and filthiness, and covetousness, and unlawful idolatries, there shall be anger and wrath, tribulation and anguish, and at the last everlasting fire shall possess such men. Since you said, “Show me thy God,” this is my God, and I counsel you to fear Him and to trust Him.”
The last line from the bishop really stuck with me today. “I counsel you to fear Him and to trust Him.” Most people in our world trust in riches rather than Christ. This is evidenced by how they store up riches. My wife, Jenni, and I talk to people often who proclaim to be Christ followers but their lives neither exhibit the fruit of fear and trust, nor do they handle money any differently than the world. They are a mess with regard to money (and much more)!
What is our counsel to them?
It’s the same as that of Theophilus to Autolycus: fear Him and trust Him. Do what He says to do. You won’t figure out what Jesus is teaching you until you obey. That’s why He commands us to follow. As the bishop states, “He will give life everlasting, joy, peace, rest, and abundance of good things, which neither hath eye seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.”
The paradox is that you must exchange the things of this world for the things of God to get the abundance Jesus offers.