Introduction to Philippians
“1) Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:1-2
The city of Philippi had a fascinating history. It was named after Philip of Macedonia. He seized the city in 358 B. C. from the Thracians. Philip was the father of non other than Alexander the Great. In 42 B.C. The city was seized by Mark Anthony and Octavius and transferred to the Roman Empire. Later Augustus Caesar made Philippi a Roman Colony.
It was a crucial port city on the sea trading route from East to West. It was also strategically located on the land trading route into all of Macedonia. This made for the ideal spread of the gospel into all of Macedonia.
The biblical story of the start of this church is recorded in Acts 16:6-40. It started with Paul’s famed Macedonian vision as recorded in Acts 16:6-10.
After several closed doors, God gave Paul a vision that included a call to carry the Gospel to Macedonia. This happened early in his second missionary journey. He and Silas were instantly obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Their time in Philippi started with attendance at a daily prayer meeting. It ended with a public beating, a jail ministry, an earthshaking midnight praise service and the conversion of many prisoners and the jail keeper. What a mixed congregation of new believers.
Paul and Silas were shortly requested to leave the city by the magistrates who had wrongfully beaten them publicly and placed them in chains. They were unaware that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. This gave them considerable leverage against the city magistrates.
Before taking leave of the city, Paul and Silas gathered the believers together and formed them into a what was most likely a house church. Acts 16 is one of the most moving stories in early church history. I will leave you to read the full account in the book of Acts.
Another irony unfolds with the book of Philippians. It was written by Paul a full decade later from another prison in Rome. This favorite small book that has blessed many believers over the past two millenniums was part of a collection of letters known as “The Prison Epistles.”
In this short Epistle, Paul shares his personal heart more than in any of his other writings. It provides crucial insight into the growth and maturity of Paul well beyond the close of the book of Acts.
He was determined, if necessary, to give his life to defend the pure gospel message against any and all adversaries and opponents. In fact, the word “gospel” is used six times in the first chapter of Philippians alone. Oh, that the modern church was as devoted to defend the pure and true gospel in our day.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“1) Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:1-2
The city of Philippi had a fascinating history. It was named after Philip of Macedonia. He seized the city in 358 B. C. from the Thracians. Philip was the father of non other than Alexander the Great. In 42 B.C. The city was seized by Mark Anthony and Octavius and transferred to the Roman Empire. Later Augustus Caesar made Philippi a Roman Colony.
It was a crucial port city on the sea trading route from East to West. It was also strategically located on the land trading route into all of Macedonia. This made for the ideal spread of the gospel into all of Macedonia.
The biblical story of the start of this church is recorded in Acts 16:6-40. It started with Paul’s famed Macedonian vision as recorded in Acts 16:6-10.
After several closed doors, God gave Paul a vision that included a call to carry the Gospel to Macedonia. This happened early in his second missionary journey. He and Silas were instantly obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Their time in Philippi started with attendance at a daily prayer meeting. It ended with a public beating, a jail ministry, an earthshaking midnight praise service and the conversion of many prisoners and the jail keeper. What a mixed congregation of new believers.
Paul and Silas were shortly requested to leave the city by the magistrates who had wrongfully beaten them publicly and placed them in chains. They were unaware that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. This gave them considerable leverage against the city magistrates.
Before taking leave of the city, Paul and Silas gathered the believers together and formed them into a what was most likely a house church. Acts 16 is one of the most moving stories in early church history. I will leave you to read the full account in the book of Acts.
Another irony unfolds with the book of Philippians. It was written by Paul a full decade later from another prison in Rome. This favorite small book that has blessed many believers over the past two millenniums was part of a collection of letters known as “The Prison Epistles.”
In this short Epistle, Paul shares his personal heart more than in any of his other writings. It provides crucial insight into the growth and maturity of Paul well beyond the close of the book of Acts.
He was determined, if necessary, to give his life to defend the pure gospel message against any and all adversaries and opponents. In fact, the word “gospel” is used six times in the first chapter of Philippians alone. Oh, that the modern church was as devoted to defend the pure and true gospel in our day.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
