Joel Hendon

Onesiphorus: A Pattern For Christians To Follow


Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009

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http://hebronics.org/index.html

God mentions several people in His words whom He considered special. Enoch is the first one complimented by such as "walked with God", David was a "man after mine own heart", Abraham was called "a friend of God", and Daniel was told by an angel that he was "Beloved of God. All of these people were so recognized because of their unwavering faith and trust in God. Even though they sinned as we all do, their heart was always penitent and they constantly talked with Him in prayers. 

Jesus had another man whom He held in high esteem and He called him after He had ascended back to heaven. The apostle Paul (known as Saul before being chosen by Jesus to be an apostle) who was a Pharisee of the Jews and is thought to have been a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, or at least closely associated with them. He was deeply involved in persecution of the newly founded church of the Lord Jesus Christ and was busy arresting them and consenting to their deaths. He stood by and held the men's coats who stoned the martyr Stephen. But Jesus recognized the strong heart and courage held by this man and his desire to serve God, although mistakenly at that point.

No one is listed in the word of God who underwent more persecution and hardships for Jesus than this apostle, "called out of season".  Following is a list of his persecutions and perils which he had suffered;

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. (2 Corinthians 11:24-33)

But this, Paul is not the one of whom our article is written. During these terrible times of the apostle when he was almost constantly in danger of losing his life, one new Christian whose name is only found twice in the Holy Bible, was an exemplary person in his charity and assistance to Paul and it is the great apostle who commends him.

Paul, in his writing to the young evangelist, Timothy makes the following comments concerning Onesiphorus.

The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. (2 Timothy 1:16-18)
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. (2 Timothy 4:19)

That is not a lot of information in which to base a lot of praise or commendation on. However, many sermons and articles have been written about this virtually unknown man who was full of love and compassion for the Lord's church, his brethren. There were a number of Christians in Rome and surroundings where Paul was imprisoned, but most had forsaken him, out of fear and also embarrassment over his imprisonment. It was not too long after this letter was written, that Paul was executed...beheaded by a Roman Soldier, for no reason other than proclaiming the word of God, as long as he lived, even in prison.

Although Onesiphorus did not live in Rome, when he came, he looked until he found Paul and you can be assured, if there was anything he could do to help the apostle, he did it, as he had done when Paul was near him in Ephesus. The two are now together and their troubles and fears are no longer a problem.
 
Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles.http://hebronics.org/index.html

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Marijo Phelps
 2 years 49 days ago.
139 fans.
Joel, you are "on a roll" - I haven't had my "official" quiet time yet this morning and I feel that I have had one SO full I am about to pop just from reading your postings! Thank you hardly covers this subject... but I will... THANK YOU! Marijo
» left by Joel Hendon 2 years 49 days ago.
125 fans.
Thank you Marijo. I've been writing a lot of political stuff and so far, I don't believe I've helped that end one bit so, I decided to do what the Lord wants done...spreading of His word. Thanks for reading an commenting.
» left by Marijo Phelps 2 years 49 days ago.
139 fans.
I do so appreciate your political ones too - you and JP are great - if you haven't read his new one (front page) on conservatism you should RUN and not walk.... very encouraging!!) I loved your puppy one too - praying Mick and the Lord will see fit for us to adopt a kitty for Christmas - it is all I want - not that we don't have 3 full grown furry purry critters sharing this household but .... there is an emptiness where Katy was and my heart has room
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