Visitors From Rome

I'm by no means a history buff, but I am fascinated by certain aspects of history. In particular I'm always interested to learn how small mundane events in the past shaped the future. I love hearing the testimonies of famous theologians who's stories involve their parents coming to faith and living fairly unremarkable lives. The person who led them to faith most likely had no idea that their spiritual heritage changed millions of lives. Their small act of obedience was used in huge ways.

This leads me to a verse which I find absolutely fascinating.

Romans 2

¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome

I don't think I've heard anyone else emphasize this particular verse (maybe I have but I just don't recall). All it really does is list groups of people who appeared on the day of Pentecost.

What's fascinating to me is that most likely they were part of the group of people who were saved that day, and then after they returned to their home they started a church in Rome. Then 25 to 30 years later, their church received Paul's letter to the Romans. Within time the church most likely started by these visitors from Rome would become the center for Christianity, and shape Christianity for all history.

All of this assumes that the church in Rome was started by these visitors from Rome. The point remains even if they didn't start the church. What if it wasn't them, and we have absolutely no idea who started the church which shaped all of Christianity? Best case scenario all we know is that they were at Pentecost.

Why do I write about all of this?

Because their story is one of the most inspirational stories I have ever heard (or in this case not heard). Most of us aren't going to be the next Billy Graham. We're not going to lead churches with 10,000 people. We're not going to be on TV. We're not going to write a book. We're not going to be remembered throughout history.

However, our spiritual legacy will last for eternity. Our small acts of faithfulness (which will be forgotten in history) will be used to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.