Following Our Archegos

January 17

“…and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses,” Acts 3:15.
In THE BEREAN, John W. Ritenbaugh states, “The word "Prince" is translated from the Greek archegos, which is translated "author" or "captain" in Hebrews 2:10. But here, Jesus Christ is called "the archegos of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses."

“In this context, the word has the sense of being "originator," someone who starts or initiates something. An archegos is one who leads the way so that others may follow. It can also be translated "trailblazer," "scout," or "pioneer," and it indicates one who leads into battle, blazes a trail, sets a pattern, one who initiates and guides.

“In the Daily Study Bible series commentary by William Barclay, he uses the illustration of a ship foundering on a rock. Someone jumps overboard with a rope and swims ashore, securing the line somewhere on the shore so that others are able to grab onto the rope and come to safety. The one who did it originally is an archegos. He fulfilled the role of an archegos.

“That is what Christ is. He is saving us from the jagged rock, from the loss of our hope of eternal life. That is His job. He is leading and guiding us to the safety of actually being in the Kingdom of God.”

We who believe in Jesus Christ, we who have received Him as our Savior and Lord, understand fully that there is nothing we have ever done or have the power to do that can free us from the weight of the sin that we carry or from its awful penalty. We understand that apart from the propitiatory life, death and resurrection of Jesus, “we are of all men most miserable,” I Corinthians 15:19.

As Paul further states in this passage, our hope, were it just for some advantage in this life, would assure our misery. But it is not for this life only; it is for eternity. The work that our Lord did in our behalf transcends this Vale of Tears where we may labor without profit, serve without reward, be persecuted without reason—except for our faith in the One who has assured us that eternity is ours.

James 1:12 affirms that though our reward may not appear in this life, it will indeed be ours if we, “persevere to the end.” Matthew 24:12-14 says, “"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Indeed, we see this waxing cold on the part of many who have known the gospel of truth while at the same time, men who have been fettered to the deceitful religions of the enemy are being set free. In this, we know the Captain of our Salvation, Jesus Christ, is glorifying Himself.

May we not be among those who turn aside from the truth of our salvation because of the illusory allure of the world or because of the persecution we may endure here. May we not ignore the peril of being aboard the ship of life that sails in treacherous waters, but let us follow our “Archegos,” the “Author and Finisher” of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2, who “endured the cross for the glory that was set before Him.”

Let us endure the trials of life as did our Pioneer, the One who led the way to our salvation! Let us know as He knew that any price we need to pay to maintain our “unspeakable GIFT” II Corinthians 9:15, is worth the cost. Let us hold fast to Him who is Life, and let us show others the way that leads to that precious Life.