Aristarch​us

"Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us." Acts 27:2b

Bible people are fascinating. I mean people who are part of history. People who lived and died, had families, jobs and are mentioned in the Word of God. Aristarchus, by name is in the Bible five times. Acts 19:29, Acts 20:4, Acts 27:2, Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 1:24. He is one of Paul's primary traveling companions on his third missionary journey. We see from this passage that he is a Macedonian and was from Thessalonica. Remember the reputation of the leaders are Thessalonica was that they were not as receptive to the teachings of Paul as the Bereans. But, I bet Aristarchus was. As a Macedonian I believe he probably was symbolic to Paul of the vision he had of the Macedonian man who beckoned him to Macedonia to witness. Aristarchus may have come to Christ during Paul's mission journey to that region. When this little eight word phrase speaks of 'us', it means Paul, Aristarchus and Luke the writer or Acts. They often traveled together and Luke served as correspondent and Aristarchus was Paul's aide.

Aristarchus is arrested along with Gaius in one of the uprisings in Ephesus, but is quickly released when it is found that he knows nothing other than being a friend and companion of Paul. In Acts 20:4 Aristarchus is listed with a dozen other early followers of the Way as part of the team that goes back through Macedonia. In Colossians 4:10 he is not listed by name but as one of the group of brothers from Macedonia that are dearly loved. In Philemon 1:24 he is described as a fellow worker along with Luke, Mark and Demas. Church tradition says he became an early bishop and also that he was martyred for his faith. I hope with a little further information you can begin to think of him as a person. As a follower of Christ Jesus just like you and I. A real guy so to speak. You see... we are just an extension of the Book of Acts and the work of the church goes on. If Luke were with us, would he mention you as a fellow worker or fellow prisoner or traveling companion? Would he say that you were his friend? The people of the Bible are fascinating, and so are we. Who are you in the 29th Chapter of Acts? Join us on the missionary journey reaching out to the community where we live.

In His Service with you and all the saints who have gone before us,
Pastor Fred

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