In the book “The Lost Letters of Pergamum” by Bruce Longenecker, a fictional character named Antipas is created based on the name found in Revelations. Antipas, a Roman Civic leader living in a world two thousand years ago, gains knowledge about Christianity through Luke’s Gospel writings. Through these writings, he discovers that Jesus is the solution for both himself and the first century Greco-Roman society. While the world created by Longenecker has similarities to the 21st century, it also has differences. The Lost Letters demonstrate how people in different cultures and time periods have their own journeys of discovering who Christ is and what the church represents. In the first century, the concept of a personal and loving God was almost non-existent. It surprised Antipas and others that God would be interested in an individual’s life. This was especially shocking in the Roman world, where citizens were taught that the Roman Emperor was a divine being. Looking to a higher deity instead of the one sanctioned by the government could result in death penalty.
The gospel message was radical and contrary to the beliefs of the first-century Greco-Roman population. It seemed like a fanciful tale to them, lacking in truth or credibility. This posed a challenge to people in positions of authority, such as nobleman Antipas, as the gospel undermined their elevated status. God, however, regarded all individuals as equal, disregarding social hierarchies. Antipas initially exuded an air of arrogance in his letters, proudly emphasizing his noble status and immense wealth. However, an interesting transformation occurred as Antipas became more acquainted with Luke. As he progressed in his journey of salvation, he grew increasingly humble. His initial belief that Christianity and Jesus would harm Roman society and his social standing proved unfounded as Luke revealed the truth. Luke demonstrated that Christians were not detrimental to Roman society but rather served as bearers of truth to the Roman populace.
Antipas initially considered Christians as friends but did not identify himself as a Christian. Through correspondence with Luke, meetings with Christians, and contrary to the Roman Empire’s beliefs, Antipas eventually embraced Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. The process of Antipas accepting Christ was prolonged, but it brought about a significant transformation. By sacrificing his life for his friend Demetrius, Antipas demonstrated his immense faith in an extraordinary manner. Prior to his salvation, Antipas would never have given up his life for anyone. He held a noble and affluent position, surpassing others and owing no obligations. This profound change in Antipas’ life exemplifies how Jesus served as the solution for the first-century Greco-Roman world. After understanding the extent of Jesus’ sacrifice, Antipas underwent a profound personal change. He abandoned his sense of superiority and adopted humility. Antipas ceased to prioritize the government’s opinion and instead focused on God’s perspective. Such a transformation can only be achieved through Jesus’ work. Despite Christians in that era being reserved about expressing their faith, their love for Jesus persisted, albeit concealed due to fear of governmental repercussions.
Antipas’ conversion was intense and uninhibited, as he fearlessly embraced Jesus and His love. The Roman world and Antipas were in need of Jesus as He was the ultimate solution. They yearned for love and to be loved. Antipas’ testimony exemplifies a gradual journey towards salvation. It was not an instant transformation, but rather a process that required significant effort over time. This holds great relevance in our modern-day society. We often desire quick results. Growing up in the church, I never truly experienced salvation. While I knew about Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, and could recite Bible verses, I did not genuinely believe or accept it. My friends, on the other hand, either experienced early salvation and immediately comprehended and embraced it, or underwent swift and dramatic conversions. It never felt like a process for them, unlike Antipas and myself. It is a constant reminder that God operates on His own timetable and in His own unique ways. My doubts about God caused me to disbelieve, and as more challenging circumstances arose in my life, I began to question His existence or whether He was a God I desired to follow. Just like for the Greco-Romans of the first century, the gospel message seemed like a pleasant tale to me, devoid of real life or significance. Just as I had my own reasons for disbelief, Antipas and the Romans had their own justifications as well.
The reason for their disbelief was the blasphemy proclaimed by their government and the fear of the Emperor. It is irrational to believe in something that could result in death unless there is more to it than just a cause for mortality. Luke managed to demonstrate to Antipas that Jesus was not merely a path to death, but rather “the solution.” The Lost Letters portrayed a world similar to today’s 21st century world, with its gradual process and struggles in finding faith. However, it also presented a contrasting version of America from today. Unlike two millennia ago when individuals had to worship discreetly in “house churches” to avoid detection by authorities, Americans now have the freedom to worship any deity they desire. This makes it significantly easier to be part of a community of believers as we can openly engage in fellowship during our daily routines without needing concealment.
The concept of “house churches” mentioned by Antipas in the Lost Letters remains highly relevant in today’s world. Many believers in countries like the Middle East and China gather in “house churches” due to the illegality of worshipping Jesus. In the Lost Letters, Bruce Longnecker transports readers back two thousand years to a time when the Gospel story was perceived as a mere fairy tale. In this setting, a man embarks on writing the Gospel of Luke, gradually discovering the Christian faith and converting to Christianity. This conversion process is transformative, as he evolves from a prideful nobleman to a humble individual who ultimately martyrs for his faith. Longnecker’s portrayal showcases the process of conversion, demonstrating how God can profoundly impact a person’s life in both historical and contemporary contexts.
