Timothy (Paul's Disciple) Series

There are two letters to Timothy attributed to Paul the Apostle, First Epistle to Timothy and Second Epistle to Timothy. These, along with the Epistle to Titus, are called the Pastoral Epistles and are considered pseudepigraphic by many modern scholars.

VII ACTS OF TIMOTHY

The Acts of Timothy (Acta Timothei) is a New Testament Apocrypha, most likely from the 5th century. The Acts tell how Paul had consecrated Timothy as bishop during Nero's reign on a visit to Ephesus, which they made together. Then, under Nerva, Timothy suffers a martyr's death during a pagan festival. Timothy "attempts to put an end to the wild and violent goings-on but himself falls victim to the orgies."

The Acts of Timothy contain almost as much material about John the Evangelist, who was also a resident of Ephesus, as they do about Timothy.

See also;

• Eunice (mother)

• Lois (grandmother)

• Clement of Rome

"But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Furthermore, of this Gospel, I was appointed a herald and an apostle, and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet, this is no cause for shame because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." – 2 Timothy 1:10-12

Whenever we try to change our lives, we typically try to change from the outside in. We change our appearance, we change our habits, and we change our routines. However, typically none of those changes stick unless we change our heart and our mindset first because outward change is typically a reflection of adjustments we make on the inside.

That is so different and special about what happens when you enter into a relationship with Jesus and begin to walk with Him. He does not change you from the outside in. Instead, He changes you from the inside out and gives you new desires and a new outlook on life.

Think about what happened with the disciples after Jesus' death and resurrection. During the crucifixion of Jesus, all but one of the disciples ran away to hide. They were terrified that they would be persecuted and killed for being associated with the Messiah. They were cowards.

However, after Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples were given a newfound sense of courage and confidence in being Christ-followers, so much so that many of them ended up dying gruesome, humiliating deaths because they refused to turn their backs on Jesus. Nathanael was skinned alive. James was dragged through cobblestone streets to his death. Peter was crucified upside down. Moreover, that is just a few of the many men who courageously stood up for their faith and their Savior.

The only person who could change these once cowardly and fearful men into brave, fearless martyrs is Jesus Christ. Furthermore, He can institute that same kind of change in you. Just as Paul promises in his Letter to the church of Corinth, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Lord can change you from the inside out and make you a new creation. You need only to humble yourself and ask Him to begin that changing work in your life