When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. Genesis 14:14-16
“The confession of faith of the three hundred and eighteen Fathers, who were assembled at Nicaea in Bithynia, shall not be abolished, but shall remain, and every heresy shall be anathematized, especially that of the Eunomians or Anomoeans, the Arians or Eudoxians, the Semi-Arians or Pneumatomachians, the Sabellians, Marcellians, Photinians, and Apollinarians.”
Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381) “Canon 1” in History of the Councils of the Church, Volume 2 by Charles Joseph, 282.
Today’s header photo comes from the cathedral at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra that dates back to A.D. 1050. It illustrates the second of the seven councils. This first of three in Constantinople.
1. Council of Nicea (A.D. 325)
2. Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)
3. Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431)
4. Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)
5. Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 553)
6. Third Council of Constantinople (A.D. 680)
7. Second Council of Nicea (A.D. 787)
The canons of this council begin with this statement today. For some reason, the statement about the 318 Fathers really hit me.
At Nicea, 318 fathers made a confession of faith despite the host of heresies that aimed to destroy Christianity. At Constantinople, they started the council meeting by affirming that confession. Their action demonstrated boldness in solidarity.
Long before this council, back in the days of Genesis, in the early part of Abraham’s story, he rallied the same number, 318 trained men, to assist him when his relative and resources had been stolen. They pursued the wrongdoers and recovered everything.
The lesson here seems twofold today as it relates to our generosity. Doing good might mean rallying others to make right what is wrong. And it also appears as standing together for what is true and good in a world filled with lies and evil.
Who might you rally with you to do good? Consider what 318 people did in these two stories. It inspires me to pray for 318 givers to support the purpose and programs of GTP this year. Let me explain.
Our fiscal year runs 1 July through 30 June each year. In 2021-2022, God supplied $611,614 from 209 givers from 47 countries. In 2022-2023, He provided $818,864 from 243 givers in 53 countries.
Today, GTP serves workers in 123 countries, so I pray God moves 318 givers from 100 countries to this year to advance a common purpose: “In obedient service to Jesus Christ, GTP multiplies faithful stewards and mobilizes peer accountability groups (like ECFA in USA) to build trust and grow local generous giving to God’s work.”
That’s how I want to rally 318 people this year. What about you? How might you either catalyze 318 people or join a movement to make a difference?