My Archives Are Jesus Christ

Even though some wanted to mislead me on the human side of things, the Spirit is not misled, because it comes from God. It knows where it comes from and where it is going, and it exposes what is hidden. I called out while I was there in your midst. I spoke in a loud voice, in God’s own voice: “Pay attention to the overseer, and to the council of elders, and to the deacons.” The ones who suspected me thought I said this because I already knew about the division some were causing. But he for whose sake I am in chains is my witness: I did not learn it from any human being. It was the Spirit that was making the announcement, and this is what it said: “Do nothing apart from the overseer. Keep your flesh as God’s temple. Love union. Run from divisions. Be imitators of Jesus Christ, as he himself is of his Father.” [a]

So I did my own part, as a man built for union. Where there is division and anger, God does not live. The Lord forgives everyone who repents, if their repentance brings them back into the unity of God and into the council of the overseer. I trust the grace of Jesus Christ: he will loose every chain from you. And I urge you to do nothing out of rivalry, but according to what you have learned from Christ. I heard some people saying, “If I do not find it in the archives, I do not believe it in the good news.” When I said to them, “It is written,” they answered me, “That is exactly what is in question.” But for me the archives are Jesus Christ. The archives no one can touch are his cross, and his death, and his resurrection, and the faith that comes through him. It is in these that I want to be counted righteous, through your prayer. [g]

The priests are good, but the high priest is better — the one entrusted with the holy of holies, the only one entrusted with the hidden things of God. He himself is the door of the Father, and through it go in Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and the prophets and the apostles and the church. All of it leads into the unity of God. But the good news has something all its own: the coming of the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, his suffering, and the resurrection. The beloved prophets made their announcement with him in view; the good news is the completion of what cannot perish. All of it together is good, if you believe in love. [l]

Word has reached me — in answer to your prayer and to the deep compassion you have in Christ Jesus — that the church at Antioch in Syria is at peace. So it is fitting for you, as a church of God, to elect a deacon and send him there on an embassy from God, to share their joy when they meet together, and to glorify the Name. Blessed in Jesus Christ is the man counted worthy of such a service, and you yourselves will be glorified. If you are willing, this is not beyond you, and it is for the sake of God’s name. The nearest churches have already sent men: some sent overseers, others elders and deacons. [o]

As for Philo the deacon, from Cilicia, a man of good witness: he is still serving me in the word of God, together with Rheus Agathopus, a chosen man who has followed me from Syria after saying goodbye to his own life. These two bear witness for you. And I myself thank God for you, because you welcomed them, as the Lord welcomes you. As for those who dishonored them, may they be ransomed by the grace of Jesus Christ. The love of the brothers and sisters at Troas greets you. I am writing to you from there, by Burrhus, whom the Ephesians and the Smyrnaeans sent along with me as a mark of honor. The Lord Jesus Christ will honor them, the one they hope in — in flesh, soul, spirit, faith, love, and harmony. Farewell in Christ Jesus, our common hope. [p]