First fruits of converts
Romans 16:5 Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
The first converts usually become faithful labourers for others on behalf of the gospel like it was with Epaphras to the Colossians. Epaphras is believed to have been the one of the first converts from Colossae who heard the gospel from Paul while at Ephesus and took the gospel message and the letters of Paul to the Colossians and continued to pray for them. He also continually informed Paul about their status when it came to matters of faith.
Cornelius was the first non Jewish person who received the gospel through Peter and the Baptism of the HolySpirit and that opened up the gospel to the gentile world.
I usually thank God for siblings who first get saved in a family. I thank my own eldest sister Eunice. What an example she set for us in terms of serving God and being committed to ministry from a tender age. Whenever I look back to those days, I press on because I have someone's footsteps to follow. She still encourages me up to now that I am a pastor to go on. One thing I always tell such people who go ahead of me is that "I am watching their backs." They inspire me to move on even without saying a word. Since they are still on it, am still on it. Ever heard people say, "if so and so did this and that, I will do it too." Now usually it is an excuse to do what is right or wrong. If it is right then that was a good example, if it was wrong, then that is not a good example to set.
It is an awesome privilege to be a firstfruit convert. But it is a responsibility as well you should not take for granted to take the message to the rest. By all means men will take you as a reference point so you need to walk wisely.
Further scriptures
1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
Colossians 1:7-8 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Acts 10:3-6 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for [one] Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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