Renewing Our Passion for Outreach

The ancient city of Philadelphia, located in what is now western Turkey, was founded for a special purpose. It was situated where several provinces all came together. A traveler would squeeze through Philadelphia in order to find roads to the other provinces. Consequently, Attalus II founded Philadelphia in 140 B.C. as a kind of missionary city to spread the Greek language and culture among the villages of the interior. In effect, Jesus is saying what the city had been for Greek culture, the church was to be for the gospel. Evidently, these believers were enduring hard times for their faith. And yet, in spite of difficulties, barriers, hazards and fears, here was a church surrounded by some wonderful opportunities! What was true for this ancient church is true of us. Three enduring symbols mentioned in the letter suggest this:

1. The open door of opportunity.

2. The key of authority.

3. The pillar of promise.