The Secretary

Epaphras was a Colossian and that is evident from Paul’s describing him as “. . . one of you” in his letter to Colossae (Col. 4:12). He was a ‘very dear fellow worker’ of Apostle Paul. It is almost sure that he was converted to Christianity at Ephesus during his ‘daily reasoning’ in the school of Tyrannus. Luke says that it continued for two years so that all the Greeks and Jews of the province of Asia heard the Word of the Lord (Acts. 19:10). We know that Paul had not visited Colossae or Laodicea even at the time of his writing to them from his Roman prison (Col. 2:1). It is apparent from Paul’s mentioning his name along with Luke in the second list of his non-Jewish fellow-workers that Epaphras is a Greek. How did this refined Greek come across Paul?

It may be his business trip to Ephesus that brought Epaphras into contact with Paul. Having accepted Christ as his personal Saviour, immediately he started witnessing the Lord in his hometown Colossae. Being a zealous servant of God and a prayer warrior, his labour was very fruitful and within a short time an assembly was formed there. Eventually, assemblies were also formed in Laodicea and Hierapolis so that Paul could write to them these words later, “For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you and those who are in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis” (Col. 4:13).

Now we see him in Rome where Paul is imprisoned in his own hired house. He is there because of two reasons. One, to spend some time with his spiritual guide and well-wisher; two, now that new heresies have crept into the church, he wanted to equip himself with the sound Christological truths.  Certainly, Paul was greatly encouraged by the presence of his dear disciple. Once again he could see his convert’s fervent prayer life, pastoral care and burden for the souls. That is why, he writes to the believers in Colossae, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bond servant of Christ, greets you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Col. 4:12).  To sum up, Epaphras, the assembly leader, is a learner and a teacher.

Now, to the four walls of The Brethren Bible Institute! By God’s grace, it has been functioning since 1989. We are a blend of young and old. The Lord has provided us with essential facilities and experienced teachers. Students from several states in India are being trained here. We have the fervent prayer and sincere support of the Brethren from both far and near for which we are greatly thankful.   We trustfully and believingly pray and endeavour for enabling us to send out men like Epaphras to the vast fields of India!