The Bible has just one verse referring to a Christian named Mnason. Yet although we never hear of Mnason before or after this one verse, what we glean from it is most instructive. The verse is Acts 21:16: ‘And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us (that is, Paul and his companions), bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.’
Who then was Mnason? He was a Greek-Cypriot living in Jerusalem. He was a Christian convert of some years standing. And very generously, he had put his house in Jerusalem at the disposal of his fellow believers for their rest, relief and refreshment. The name ‘Mnason’ means ‘Remembering’ – compare the word ‘mnemonic’ which refers to a memory device. Mnason’s name befits him, as by including him in the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Spirit has ensured that Mnason’s testimony has been remembered for all time. But what do we glean from Mnason, from the one verse which tells us of him?
- Mnason was a Saved Man
‘Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple …’ This reveals that Mnason had come to saving faith in Christ. He had entered into the joy of salvation. He had trusted Christ as his own personal Saviour some years earlier, and was still ‘in Christ’, rejoicing in the blessings of the forgiveness of sins, peace with God and adoption into the family of God.
Scripture is silent as to how Mnason became a saved man. As a Cypriot living in Jerusalem, perhaps Barnabbas, a fellow Cypriot living in Jerusalem, had testified to him. But as ‘an early disciple’ is it not far fetched to speculate that Mnason was there on the Day of Pentecost, when Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the crucified and risen Saviour to great effect. Mnason may have been one of the three thousand converts (Acts 2:41) who were ‘cut to the heart’ (Acts 2:37) and heeded Peter’s injunction to ‘Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 2:38).
We note that Mnason is describes as a ‘disciple.’ The word ‘disciple’ means ‘a learner’ or ‘a student.’ The early converts ‘devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching …’ (Acts 2:42). The desire to learn more about Jesus is one evidence that we have been born again. The new birth brings new appetites. Jesus Himself said ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me’ (Matthew 11:29). Peter wrote ‘Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation’ (1 Peter 2:2:2,3).
How though do we learn more about Jesus? By attending to the Word which tells us of Him. By the diligent reading of the Bible in private and by the faithful attendance at a Bible believing church in public – a church where the Bible is faithfully explained and applied. ‘ …the sacred writings are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ’ (2 Timothy 3:15).
More about Jesus let me learn
More of His holy will discern
Spirit of God my teacher be
Showing the things of Christ to me
More about Jesus in His Word
Holding communion with my Lord
Hearing His voice in every line
Making each faithful saying mine.
- Mnason was a Sustained Man
Mnason was ‘an early disciple.’ The Greek word ‘early’ here could be translated as ‘old, early or original.’ So. Whilst Mnason was saved during the early days of the church, we see here that he was still believing all these years later. He was not as young as he once was. Water had passed under the bridge. But he was still believing, he was still rejoicing, he was still learning, he was still serving … ‘Persevering’ is the verb which encapsulates it.
Mnason’s perseverance is remarkable in that Acts 8:1 tells us that ‘On that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem.’ The believers were being sifted. Being a Christian did not and does not grant an escape from the harsh realities of this fallen world. The Lord Jesus once warned about a person who appears to believe the Gospel but ‘he has not root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the Word, immediately he falls away’ (Matthew 13:24). Mnason was not such a person. He persevered in the faith through thick and thin. He was a saved man and he was a sustained man – divinely sustained.
The Bible teaches the eternal security of the soul truly united to Christ. A true believer – a possessor and not just a professor – will endure. Why? Because God the Father does not abandon His children. Christ the Good Shepherd does not abandon His sheep. Our God and King protects and undertakes for His subjects. Jesus said of His own ‘I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, and no on shall snatch them out of my hand’ (John 10:28).
Truth be told, every Christian would fall away if our perseverance depended on ourselves. A true believer however keeps the faith because God Himself keeps us. Salvation is not so much a matter of our hold on Christ but His hold on us. Our faith is in a faithful God. Our grip on Him may be weak. But His grip on us is omnipotent. He ‘is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of His glory with rejoicing’ (Jude 24).
- Mnason was a Supporting Man
‘And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.’
It would seem from this that Mnason was a man of means. He owned a large house in Jerusalem, and he put his house at the Lord’s disposal. Mnason is not shown to be a preacher. Mnason held no office in the church as far as we know. But Mnason supported those who were in the front line of the Christian battle. He gave welcome support and hospitality to Paul, Luke and others. He opened both his heart and his home to the Lord’s servants.
1 Peter 4:9 urges ‘Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another’ (1 Peter 4:9). Mnason certainly did. In doing so, he played his part in the furtherance of the Gospel and the building of the church. 3 John 5-8 is Mnason to a ‘T’:-
‘Beloved, it is a loyal thing you do when you render any service to the brethren, especially to strangers, who have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey as befits God’s service. For they have set out for His sake and have accepted nothing from the heathen. So we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers in the truth.’
So there is Mnason, perhaps an unsung Christian. He does not seem to have possessed a dazzling personality or any great charisma. But he was faithful. He was a good steward of what God had entrusted to him. He did what he could, with what he had, in the place God had put him. Every believer is called to do the same, for every believer without exception has a particular and peculiar niche in the plan and purpose of Almighty God. Like Mnason, there is something we call all do to bring blessing to souls and glory to the Lord.
There’s a work for Jesus
Ready at your hand
Tis a task the Master
Just for you has planned
Haste to do His bidding
Yield Him service true
There’s a work for Jesus
None but you can do.