7. EPAENETUS: FIRST FRUITS OF ASIA

Romans 16:5 "Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ."

Epaenetus was a Christian resident in Rome at the time Paul wrote his epistle to the Church there. Paul speaks of him with affection "well-beloved". He had the respect of his brethren in Christ. We are told he was the "first fruits" of Asia. The brief mention given, affords but a glimpse of this man, but enough is said to bring to our notice a number of important truths.

7.1. EPAENETUS, FIRST IN COMING TO CHRIST

"The first to be reaped in Asia" (Moffatt Translation).

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He Was First Of A Great Harvest In Asia

He was the first, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, to be led to Christ (John 16:8-11 ).

John 16:8 "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"

He came to Christ without the lead of any of his own countrymen. The Lord must have special pleasure in one who is first in any town or district, or house, to give Him what is due. A great harvest was to be reaped in Asia. Epaenetus was the "firstfruits". We know of at least seven churches that were established in Asia (Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 ). Don't wait for others. Be first in responding to the claims of Christ.

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He Was First Of The "Born Again" In Asia

By natural birth he had been born to die. By the new birth, born to live. Coming to Christ in faith results in being "born from above." (John 3:3 marg ). The new birth is the work of God. God is the author of our temporal being - man is used. In the new birth man is entirely put aside. (John 3:3-8 ).

John 1:13 "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

We may not be privileged to be the first in coming to Christ, but we do experience the same mighty work of God the Holy Spirit, who makes us a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus ..."

7.2. EPAENETUS, FIRST TO CONFESS CHRIST

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He Was Unashamed Of Christ, And Of The Gospel

He was like his father in the faith.

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; ..."

His love for his Lord compelled him to confess Him before men. His confession of Christ was part of his salvation.

Romans 10:9-11 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Mark 8:38 "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

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He Used His Influence For Christ

Paul, in referring to Him as the first of the harvest, suggests that his stand for Christ influenced others in seeking salvation. We all wield an influence for good of ill. Our living has an effect on others. No-one lives to himself. We are to confess Christ by life (conduct) and lip (conversation). Both ways are necessary.

7.3. EPAENETUS, FIRST IN CONFORMITY TO CHRIST

He was the first of a new creation in Asia. James speaks to us of being

James 1:18 "... a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

Christ's own holy nature is communicated to those who believe. When we are born again, we become,

2 Peter "1:4 ... partakers of the divine nature, ..."

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

The new birth is a new creation within the human personality - not a patching up or improvement of the old nature.

John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

Ephesians 4:22-24 "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; ²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

How tremendously different Epaenetus would appear to all who knew him, for the Lord Jesus would be seen in him. Is our conformity to Christ evident?

7.4. EPAENETUS, FIRST IN CONSECRATION TO CHRIST

That he is spoken of as "first fruits" is significant when compared with,

James 1:18 "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

It brings out his consecration to Christ. Israel had to give the first fruits of every harvest to God (Leviticus 23:10 ). It showed their dependance on God and their submission to God. Epaenetus belonged wholly to the Lord. He lived to God as a kind of first fruits. Are you living a life completely dedicated to the Lord?

1 Corinthians 6:19,20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? ²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

7.5. EPAENETUS, FIRST IN CONTINUING WITH CHRIST

The names mentioned by Paul in the salutations would be persons whose lives were consistent with the contents of the epistle. Paul's reference to Epaenetus was a testimony to his consistent Christian life. Christian consistency will have the greatest effect on men and women outside of Christ. Inconsistency is a "bushel" which hides the light of Christian testimony.

Matthew 5:14-16 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Epaenetus means "worthy of praise". Does the Lord account us as "worthy of praise"?