The Achaia Missionary Baptist Church

California City, California

 What Does “Achaia” Mean To Us?

 Geographically, Achaia was merely a small fragment of a greater whole in western Greece. It held very little if any significance in the political or religious history of the region until the Word of God touched it. We are concerned with the spirit of its biblical significance as referenced by Paul.

Achaia then, is more of a spiritual attitude than it is a physical place, more of a habit than a habitat, more of a frame of mind than a frame of reference. We will focus our attention then, on “The First fruits of Achaia.”

             (15) “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Steph-a-nas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

            (16) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

            (17) I am glad at the coming of Steph-a-nas and For-tu-na-tus and Acha-i-cus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

            (18) For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge them that are such.”

I Co 16:15-18

The manner of living the Achaians adopted was one of continuous and unrelenting development. They cultivated an attitude of uncompromising determination to see every task brought to its logical conclusion. Their “Prime Directive”, was to fulfill the Great Commission by improving the spiritual condition of everyone they came into contact with.

 Let’s look at what Paul had to say about these Achaian saints.

• They were to be put in charge of the church at Corinth
• Their enthusiasm overruled the Corinthians’ stagnation
• Their actions engendered spiritual productivity
• They supplied that which was lacking in the church
• Their joy and peace refreshed everyone they encountered
• They continually hunted for a problem to fix, a challenge to overcome

 If we are not at all times looking for ways to fill ourselves with the joy of the Lord or we are constantly having a terrible time trying to experience the peace of God, we have in ourselves incontrovertible proof that we are in no wise addicted to Him spiritually.

For the joy of the Lord comes through service to Him and the peace of God comes through knowing Him intimately.

 Nothing can come between an addict and his addiction. Everything that is done points to the protection and gratification of the addiction.

 Here at Achaia, everything we do points to the protection and gratification of our addiction: the fulfillment of the Great Commission through the ministry to the saints.

 We are addicted to the ministry of the saints, to the Gospel of Christ and to the furthering of the kingdom of God our Father and His Christ, our Lord, Jesus. We simply cannot get enough of the joy of the Lord.

             (19) “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

            (20) For ye are our glory and joy.”

I Th 2:19-20

The Achaian’s joy is to see the children of God in the presence of God. As Paul said, the children of God that come into the kingdom through his efforts are what his glory and joy is based on.  In order to minister to saints, sinners must first be saved.

Our first act of service is to get a sinner saved, that’s a legitimate reason to shout. Shouting for any other reason is just shouting on credit.

Our ministry to that newborn saint must continue until the saint leaves the fold, and even then our doors must always remain open.

            (4) “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice.

            (5) Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

            (6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

            (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

            (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Ph’p 4:4-7, 9

Our rejoicing is not predicated upon what we have acquired or have been given. We praise God continually for all that we have and shall receive, but our focus remains fixed on what we can and will achieve with it. 

This then, is what Achaia means to us. We are now and shall ever be addicted to the ministry of nurturing saints that become nurturers. We will constantly and continually commend saints to the Grace of our Lord Jesus and to the tender care the Holy Spirit. We are ever vigilant to walk circumspect fully in the world using the Word of God as our lamp and light. 

We know that those who pray with us shall be kept by the peace of God. We know that those who learn and receive and hear and see and do the Word of God with us shall have the God of peace with them.

Author: Rev. Samuel A. L. Pope, Sr.

Copyright © 2004 Achaia Missionary Baptist Church

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Copyright © 2004-2005 Achaia Missionary Baptist Church
Last modified: 10/18/07