Topical Bible: Election: Rufus

◄ Election: Rufus ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Rufus is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Mark and the Epistle to the Romans. His presence in the Scriptures, though brief, provides insight into the early Christian community and the spread of the Gospel.

Biblical References:

1. Mark 15:21 : "Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross." This verse introduces Rufus as the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to Golgotha. The mention of Rufus and his brother Alexander suggests that they were known to the early Christian community, possibly indicating their involvement or prominence within the church.

2. Romans 16:13 : "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well." In this passage, the Apostle Paul sends greetings to Rufus, describing him as "chosen in the Lord." This phrase highlights Rufus's esteemed position within the Christian community, suggesting that he was a believer of notable faith and character. Additionally, Paul acknowledges Rufus's mother, indicating her significant role and personal impact on Paul himself, as he refers to her as a motherly figure.

Theological Significance:

The mention of Rufus in the New Testament, though limited, carries theological weight. The term "chosen in the Lord" used by Paul in Romans 16:13 underscores the doctrine of election, a key tenet in Christian theology. This doctrine emphasizes God's sovereign choice in calling individuals to faith and service within His divine plan. Rufus's designation as "chosen" reflects the belief that God actively selects individuals for specific purposes within His redemptive work.

Rufus's connection to Simon of Cyrene also serves as a reminder of the diverse backgrounds of early Christians. Simon, a man from Cyrene in North Africa, and his family, including Rufus, illustrate the global reach of the Gospel and the inclusivity of the early church. This diversity is a testament to the fulfillment of Jesus's command to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).

Historical Context:

The early Christian community was marked by a network of relationships and familial ties, as evidenced by Paul's personal greetings in his epistles. Rufus's mention in Romans suggests that he was part of the Roman church, a significant congregation in the heart of the Roman Empire. The reference to his mother as a maternal figure to Paul indicates the close-knit nature of the early believers, who often formed spiritual families that transcended biological ties.

Conclusion:

While the biblical record provides limited information about Rufus, his inclusion in the New Testament highlights the interconnectedness of the early church and the diverse backgrounds of its members. Rufus's designation as "chosen in the Lord" serves as a reminder of the doctrine of election and the sovereign work of God in calling individuals to faith and service. His family's involvement in the early Christian community underscores the global and inclusive nature of the Gospel message.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 16:13
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Proclus Succeeds Maximian Bishop of Constantinople.
... letters from C??lestinus bishop of Rome approving of this election, which he had
forwarded to Cyril of Alexandria, John of Antioch, and Rufus of Thessalonica ...
/.../chapter xl proclus succeeds maximian bishop.htm

The First Blast to Awake Women Degenerate.
... For this cause (saith Ambrose) did the apostle place Rufus before his mother, for
the election of the administration of the grace of God, in the whiche a woman ...
/.../knox/the first blast of the trumpet/the first blast to awake.htm

Guelf and Ghibelline. (I)
... Rufus near Avignon, and when Abbot of this monastery attracted the attention of
Eugenius ... He was, however, bribed to acquiesce in the election of Lothair by the ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter viii guelf and ghibelline.htm

The Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret
... Chapter XVII.--Of the death of the great Athanasius and the election of Petrus ... Letter
of certain Easterns, who had been sent to Constantinople, to Bishop Rufus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/

Hans Denck and the Inward Word
... His little book, What does it mean when the Scripture says God does and works Good
and Evil, is throughout a protest against the idea of "election," which, he ...
/.../chapter ii hans denck and.htm

Introduction
... To insist on mystical experience as the only path to religion would involve an
"election" no less inscrutable and {xxiii} pitiless than that of the Calvinistic ...
/.../jones/spiritual reformers in the 16th and 17th centuries/introduction.htm

Chapter iv.
... another into his place, and that they were careful to make their election out of ...
your eyes, not only in the blessed Ignatius, and Lorimus, and Rufus, but in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/paley/evidences of christianity/chapter iv.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... at least afterwards, in the Church - and his sons Alexander and Rufus even better ...
also, even in its ignorance, a remnant according to the election of grace. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

Jacob Boehme's Influence in England
... owne soules!"[26] The way out of "the tedious Maze and wearisome laborinth of
discussions and opinions concerning God, Christ, Faith, Election, the Ordinances ...
/.../chapter xii jacob boehmes influence.htm

Sebastian Castellio: a Forgotten Prophet
... to see the Reformation take what seemed to him the false course"the course of defending
itself by persecution, of buttressing itself on election, of elevating ...
/.../chapter vi sebastian castellio a.htm