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We often think about how the gospel was preached to the poor and disenfranchised. But in this article, I want to explore how the gospel came to those in positions of public authority!

The Treasurer of Ethiopia

This Treasurer was said to have ‘great authority’ under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. (Kandake is a term that means “queen” or “royal woman”. It was a title used by the queens and queen mothers of the ancient Kingdom of Kush.) Philip, the evangelist, met him on the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza. An angel of the Lord arranged their meeting. Seated in his carriage, the treasurer was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. So beginning with this scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

His story can be explored further in Acts 8:26-39

According to a tradition of the Ethiopian Church, he became the first Christian missionary to Ethiopia.

Cornelius, A Roman Officer

Cornelius lived in Caesarea. He was a Roman army officer (a Centurion), captain of the Italian Regiment. A Roman Centurion commanded a unit called a “century” which typically consisted of around 80 soldiers, although the number could vary slightly depending on the period; essentially, a centurion was in charge of roughly 100 men. ‘He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.’ – Acts 10:2

Again, an angel of God set up a meeting; ‘Send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter.’ – Acts 10:5

‘As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants. He told them what had happened and sent them off to Joppa.’ -Acts 10:7-8

So Cornelius had at least 80-100 soldiers under his command, including devout soldiers he could send on missions plus household servants!

When Peter and the Jewish men accompanying him arrived in Caesarea the following day, Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends! (see Acts 10:24)

Cornelius is a man of considerable influence!

You can read the full story of Cornelius’ in Acts 10

Sergius Paulus, the Governor of Cyprus

Sergius Paulus was the governor of Proconsul of the Island of Cyprus. He was an intelligent man, although had somehow got caught up with a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar Jesus (which is ironic as his name means ‘son of Jesus’). After hearing that Paul and Barnabas with John Mark as their assistant had preached from town to town across the entire island, on arriving in Paphos, the governor invited them to visit him because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas, the Sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.

To settle the matter, the apostle Paul performed a miracle of judgment that lead to the sorcerer being struck blind!

‘When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord’ -Acts 13:12

You can read about Sergius Paulus in Acts 13:4-12

Julius, A Roman Officer

When the apostle Paul was put on trial then sent to Rome to stand before Caesar, he first had to travel by ship as a prisoner and was placed in the custody of a Roman Officer (another Centurion) named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment. (He perhaps knew Cornelius?).

When the weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel, Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it. But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul.

When the sailors tried to abandon the ship on the lifeboat, Paul warned the commanding officer and the soldiers saying, ‘You will all die unless the sailors stay onboard’

As they were nearing Malta and the ship was breaking apart due to the force of the waves, the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escpae. But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan.

So everyone – all 276 – escaped safely to shore, due partly to Julian, the Roman Officer, listening to the apostle Paul’s instructions from the Lord!

You can read more about Julius in Acts 27

Publius, the Chief Official of Malta

Due to shipwreck, the apostle Paul with the prisoners and soldiers found themselves on the island of Malta. They landed near an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed them and treated them kindly for three days. Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery so Paul went in and prayed for him, laying his hands on him and he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. As a result they were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied them with everything they would need for the trip.

They ended up being on the island for three months in total

You can read about Publius in Acts 28:1-10

Searching for the Worthy Person

Jesus instructed us that whenever we enter a town or city, enquire as to whether there is a ‘Worthy Person’ in that town,

‘Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town.’ -Matthew 10:11

The word written there for search can also mean examine, question, inquire, search out. This is an intentional activity to find the worthy person; one who is deserving, in the town you’ve been sent to

If you want to know more about this, I’ve written many articles on Persons of Peace HERE!