In this episode, Arnie and Fred continue their discussion of the church of Christ at Philippi. We begin by noting that the church had to combat local prejudices from the start. We look at one of those situations, but also notice that in spite of this they were able to grow rapidly and continually, both spiritually and numerically. They were successful a number of important areas. They were self-supporting, they helped support Paul as well as others that were named as Paul's helpers. Additionally, they participated in helping the needy saints in Jerusalem who were suffering from a famine there. We also talk about their support of Paul while he was incarcerated in Rome in about AD 63. In Paul's letter to them, he noted that they had selected both elders/bishops and servants/deacons to serve the congregation. We discuss how this rapid growth and achievement was possible and what they did to accomplish it. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcription of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.
In this episode, Arnie and Fred continue their discussion of the church of Christ at Philippi. We begin by noting that the church had to combat local prejudices from the start. We look at one of those situations, but also notice that in spite of this they were able to grow rapidly and continually, both spiritually and numerically. They were successful a number of important areas. They were self-supporting, they helped support Paul as well as others that were named as Paul's helpers. Additionally, they participated in helping the needy saints in Jerusalem who were suffering from a famine there. We also talk about their support of Paul while he was incarcerated in Rome in about AD 63. In Paul's letter to them, he noted that they had selected both elders/bishops and servants/deacons to serve the congregation. We discuss how this rapid growth and achievement was possible and what they did to accomplish it. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcription of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.
This is a presentation of the Woodland church of Christ meeting at 3370 Broad Street in Sumter, South Carolina. We meet for worship on Sunday at ten thirty am and five thirty pm. We meet for bible study at nine thirty am on Sunday, and seven pm on Wednesday. If you have questions or comments on this lesson, you may email them to Fred Gosnell at fgosnell@ftc-i.net Or to Arnie Granke at agranke440718@twc.com.
Arnie:Good afternoon. This is Arnie Granke and Fred Gosnell, this is what does the Bible say, brought to you by the church of Christ at Woodland, in Sumter, South Carolina. We've mentioned before and we'll mention it again today that we're just a couple of miles east of the main gate at Shaw Air Force Base. So if you happen to be assigned to at Shaw, either TDY or PCs whyy, we would welcome you to come and and worship with us and study with us. Or if you happen to be in the vicinity. And you're you're enjoying the sights around Sumter, we hope that you'll take advantage of the opportunity to be with us. We've been talking about the church at Philippi. One of the early churches that occurred, that were established during the New Testament period. Fred, where's a good place for us to pick up on this conversation?
Fred Gosnell:Well, we probably need to talk about the fact that they suffered from from prejudice, prejudices from local people. Of course, they confirm what they taught, they were able to perform miracles. And sometimes people didn't like that. And that was the case here. In Acts 16. What was going on was that there was a young woman there that had was possessed of a demon. And there were some, a couple of men that had control of her and used her to make money. So she was following the apostles and pointing out to that Paul and Silas, for servants of the Most High God. Paul had so far, cast out the cast out the demon.
Arnie:They didn't need advertising like that.
Fred Gosnell:No. So in Acts 16, 19 through 23, beginning in verse 19, it says, When what her master saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, and brought them to the magistrate saying, These men being Jews do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates rent off their clothes and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. So when they taught the truth, and did what was their job to do, from the Lord, people didn't like it. And they continued on anyway.
Arnie:Well, these people are, were mostly idolaters, they were Gentiles. And, and so they were basically they were heathens, they didn't care for generally speaking, didn't care for Christians, and the Jews didn't either they were hostile as, as well. And it was Jews really, that began in the church with the with a woman. And in one case in her house, and her household that was Lydia. And then in another case, the jailer after they had had these men in jail and and there was an earthquake. They didn't try to escape and, and he realized that they actually believed the things and, and practiced the things that they were teaching, and wanted to know what to do to be saved and he obeyed the gospel, as well. And the church grew fairly rapidly, as a matter of fact. It was pretty soon self supporting. And as a matter of fact, the the congregation supported Paul, on several occasions, at least two that we know of, when he preached in Thessalonica, the very same year that the church was established, which was about AD 52 as closely as we can, as closely as we can figure. So and and that was about 97 miles away that they were that they were helping the church in Thessalonica there. And Philippi apparently, even helped to relieve needy Jewish saints back in, in Jerusalem a few years after that, around AD 58 would be would be an estimate of the time there. In Philippians chapter four and verse 14, Paul speaks about that. He said, Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church, communicated with me, as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. And for even in Thessalonica, you sent once and again unto my necessity, not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all and abound, I am full having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing unto God. So they were they were even helping to support Paul in the work that he was doing.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And you mentioned that the Philippians also became able to support needy saints in other areas. And Paul, of course, they Philippi was in Macedonia that's the area that that was in. And in second Corinthians eight, one through five, Paul, writing to the Corinthians, he says, Now, Moreover, brethren, we do to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality, for to their power, I bear record yea and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, praying us with much intreaty, that we would receive the gifts and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us, by the will of God. So, at this time, sometime later, the there were a number of churches in Macedonia and of course, Philippi was one of them. Of course, he, he notices that, well, some of them weren't, weren't so well to do, they were, they didn't have all that much. But they went ahead and gave took up the collection, and it was for the needy saints in in Jerusalem, there was there was a, they were in need, there was a famine there. And so they had become at least able to, at least do this, to help the saints in Jerusalem. And this was probably, I think you mentioned AD 58. So some, some five years or so after they began, as a, as a church of Christ.
Arnie:There were a number of times, of course, that Paul was incarcerated in various places, not that he was a law breaker, but because of the fact that there was a lot of animosity against against Christians, both the heathens and the Jews despised them. And so they found found fault and and were willing to put them in, in prison. And Paul had that experience, very shortly thereafter, about maybe 11 years later, around AD 63 that he was that he was incarcerated in in Rome. Wasn't in prison per se. He was required to stay in his own hired house, and people were able to come unto him and and converse with him and and all of that. I don't know whether he was shackled in any way or anything of that of that sort. And there probably was also a soldier there, guarding him to keep him there, you know, to be sure that he didn't leave or escape or, or whatever. So he had to pay the rent on the house and he had to eat he had to do all the other things he would have done if if he was traveling so so he had expenses to make and the church in Philippi was one of the churches that supported Paul while he was incarcerated there in Rome. In Philippians, four and verse 10, Paul addresses that. And he said, but I rejoice in Lord greatly, that now at the last you care, your care for me hath flourished again, wherein you were also careful, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of what for I have learned in whatever state I am therewith to be content, I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound, everywhere and in all things I'm instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound, and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Not withstanding, you've done well, that you did communicate with my affliction. Now, you Philippians also know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me, as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica, you sent, once and again, unto my necessity, not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all and abound, I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, will pleasing unto God. So you know, sometimes people wonder what churches do with with the contribution, sometimes churches want to, you know, have some kind of a big supper or they they want to have a fair or whatever it just all kinds of things that they do that really aren't related in, in any way with with the gospel. That wasn't what churches in the first century did. And what churches of Christ do, do now. We we attempt to be scriptural, in our use of the of the funds that are collected as a part of the worship service, on the Lord's day, and only during the worship service on on the Lord's Day. And this is an example of how those funds were used in supporting the work of the gospel in locally or in distant
Fred Gosnell:Of course, Paul, Paul was arrested, and he had locations. appealed to Caesar concerning his arrest, and he was confined,
Arnie:You're right. he was confined to quarters for about two years. You mentioned
Fred Gosnell:We know that everywhere it is spoken against. that before his appeal was heard. And we're told about that at the end of Acts in Acts 28, verses 16 through 31. So we in verse 16, says, When we came to Rome the centurian, delivered And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. It came to pass that after three days, Paul called the chief of the Jews together, and when they were come together, said unto them, Men and brother, though I have committed nothing against unto his lodging, to whom he expounded and testified the the people or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, who when the Law of Moses and out of the prophets from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they had examined me would have let me go because there was no they departed. After that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit by Isaiah the prophet unto our father's saying, Go unto this people and say, Hearing you shall hear and cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was shall not understand and seeing you shall see and not perceive. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and the ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have been closed lest they constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had ought to accuse should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I my nation of, For this cause therefore have I called for you should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he said these words, the Jews departed and had to see you and to speak with you because that for the hope of great reasoning among themselves. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching Israel, I am bound with this chain. They said unto him, we those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. So even though he was arrested, and he was under house arrest, that didn't stop him neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee, neither from preaching the gospel, he always found a way to teach people. And in this case, they were the Jews that were there. any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of And they had gotten nothing from Jerusalem, accusing Paul of anything. So he had the opportunity to preach the gospel thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest for as to him. And notice he went to the Old Testament, went to show them what it had to say, and taught them. Some of them believed it, and some of them didn't. And they had a big concerning this sect. And of course, the sect they're talking discussion afterwards. And of course, that's what what happens when the gospel is preached. Some people will listen, some people don't. And we just have to take the opportunity to do so about are the Christians. just like they did in the first century.
Arnie:And we could do the same thing ourselves, because there are hundreds, literally hundreds, and maybe even more than that, of prophecies in the Old Testament with regard to the Messiah, and many of them even even Jewish scholars, miss the fact that they're Messianic prophecies in in certain cases. And so as as a result of that, this group that that Paul was speaking to, some of them understood that that was, in fact, fulfilled in Christ, some did not. So that gives them two options. And one option is either remain a Jew and just disregard what the Scriptures said in the Old Testament, or become a Christian. So what the outcome of that was, we don't have a whole lot of information, perhaps some of them themselves did obey the gospel. While Paul was was busy in that, in that area, while he was confined to quarters, before before his appeal was was heard, he had received some, some support, and he had some had some other disciples with him, that assisted him. And it's interesting if we lead it, read a couple of passages in the, in the New Testament, we read about these individuals in, and in one case, Timothy and Epaphroditus were working with with Paul. In Philippians, chapter two, beginning in, in verse 19. Paul said, I trust in the Lord, as, he is sending this now to the Philippians. Excuse me. I trust in the Lord, to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may the of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for your state, for all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ. But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with a father, he has served with me in the Gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord, that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and companion in labor and fellow soldier, but your messenger and he that ministered to my needs. So right here you see Timothy and or Timotheus as the King James Version calls him there, And Epaphroditus being two of those that that had been a part of Paul's, Paul's company that had worked with him in various places in the Gospel, and I think some other passages named people as well don't they?
Fred Gosnell:Yes. When Paul wrote to the Colossians in Colossians, four, seven through 14, he named some more people there. We begin in verse seven, he says, All my state shall shall Tychicus declare unto you who is a beloved brother and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose that he might know your state, and comfort your hearts with Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother who is one of you, they shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner saluteth you and Marcus sisters son to Barnabas, touching whom he received commandments, if he come unto you receive him. And Jesus and Jesus, that this would be another individual, not not Jesus, the Lord, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision, they were Jews. These only are my fellow workers into the unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort to me. Epathrus who is one of you, a servant of Christ saluteth you always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For our bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you and them that are in Laodicea. And then, in Hierapolis, Luke, the beloved physician and Demas greet you. So so a number of, quite a few of the people that worked with Paul. And of course, these people needed to be supported and the church at Philippi were engaged in that. And, of course, there were other churches as well, that's one of the reasons why we take up a collection on the first day of the week, is to do the work of the church to support those who preach the gospel, and those saints that are in need. And for the means to do so.
Arnie:Do the work, not to play.
Fred Gosnell:That's right.
Arnie:It's not purely for social, social purposes, Fred as you were reading those I was counting. And I came up between those two passages of Scripture with 10 names, that were a part of Paul's company. And there may have been some others as well. And very often, sometimes they traveled with him, but very often, he needed to leave them in places where there was some additional work that needed to be done, maybe, maybe some people that needed to have further knowledge of, of the gospel, or possibly places where they were, there were problems that were brewing, he would leave people like, like Luke, for example, was one of the one of the responsible resources that Paul resorted to and Timotheus as well or Timothy, as as well, were two reliable information it in, well, it couldn't got tangled up on that one there. Were two rely, reliable individuals is the word that I wanted to wanted to use there, that worked with Paul in in helping the situation in these various places. And then of course, also, spiritual growth is is indicated in some other ways as as well. In Philippians, chapter one and verse one, writing to this same congregation now, as as he introduces this letter. He said, Paul, and Timotheus, there's Timothy again, Servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, which were at Philippi, with the overseers and servants. So So here were individuals who were elders, or overseers who were responsible for the spiritual care of the disciples, make sure that they had the right information, make sure that the work was was getting done, possibly even dispatch some of them out to teach in other locations as well. And then the servants are those that that were identified back in, in Jerusalem. They were some were identified, that would take care of the the needs of some of the widows that spoke foreign languages and and were not receiving assistance. They were were responsible for making sure that adequate care was given to them. And of course, that would be true in other churches as well. So when you had individuals that met the requirements, and maybe one day, we might want to talk about their requirements for elders and deacons, and and so forth, but those that met those requirements, would be useful in in promoting the work of the church.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And of course, the question would be then, well, how was such growth and achievement possible,? Of course, one of the things that we had already noticed was that they had aided the saints in Jerusalem. And Paul talked about that in Second Corinthians eight, one through five. And back there. He said that they were, they did this, in verse five of second Corinthians eight, he says, They did this not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God. So so they had first dedicated themselves, to the Lord and to, to God to do his work. And so they had to get some knowledge of the things that they needed to teach. And in Philippians, one nine through 11, Paul, again, writing to them, he says This, I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment, that you may approve things that are excellent that you may be sincere without offense, till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, and to the glory and praise of God. And of course, later on, when when Paul wrote to Timothy, Paul, told Timothy, this is what you need to do in second Timothy 2, 15, he said, Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing word of truth. So, the church at Philippi had to first dedicate themselves to God to God and the work they needed to do. And then they needed to get that knowledge that they needed to preach the gospel. And they did that by studying by being willing to do that take the time to do that. And of course, then we learned that they got, were able to have elders and or bishops and deacons to do the work to help do the work of a local church. So they were genuine, and they were blameless people. They weren't keeping house just for the Lord, they were doing everything for the Lord to keep his house in the way he wanted to be kept.
Arnie:Well, and as a matter of fact that these responsibilities that we're talking about when we're talking about overseers, and servants, or elders and servants, these are responsibilities that require men that are mature in the faith, and by the way, men are specified there. Women have other responsibilities within the church. These were be, to be men that were in these leadership positions. And they, they had to be people who, who had a full knowledge of God's Word. And so this requires individuals who are well studied in the Gospel, who are well versed and are able to teach and, and able to supervise, recognize the needs of other disciples, meet those needs, whether they're they're spiritual, or if the the needs happen to be related to, to living conditions and so forth. They would they would use the the servants to help them out to meet those, those needs. And so there was a lot of development that was that was required for them to know the information that they needed to know and be skilled in teaching others.
Fred Gosnell:Yes, and of course, they were that from from their actions and the things that they were able to do to learn and to apply, then it produced the what is called the fruit of the Spirit. And I think Paul referred to that in Philippians 1, 11. And then he talks about that to the Galatians as well. And Arnie, I think we're about out of time, so we're gonna have to pick up the fruit of the Spirit next week.
Arnie:All right, we'll look forward to being with you. And we hope you'll study your Bible and by all means, come and worship with us if you happen to be in the Sumter area. Have a good week.