The Church at Philippi

Acts 16:11-15; Philippians 2:5-11

GOLDEN TEXT: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”—Philippians 4:13

OUR lesson marks the first visit of Paul and probably the first extensive preaching of the Gospel in Europe. The second missionary journey began at Antioch and was suggested by Paul, as we read, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.”—Acts 15:36

Barnabas did not accompany Paul, however, owing to their difference as to whether Mark, a cousin of Barnabas, was to go with them. Paul thought best not to take Mark, because he had not remained with them on their previous journey. It would seem that Barnabas should have had more respect for Paul’s judgment, inasmuch as he was an apostle. The result was that Paul chose Silas, and they were sponsored by the Antioch church.

The pastoral work of visiting the churches previously established in Galatia and Phrygia having been accomplished, the question arose as to where they should continue their labors in the Master’s service. It was at this juncture that the Lord miraculously instructed Paul that he was not to proceed south into Asia, nor north into Bithynia; and then, when he had continued west to Troas, he gave him direction through the vision of a man of Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”—Acts 16:6-9

When we remember that our God changes not, that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, it gives us assurance that he is still careful and interested as ever in his work, and in the affairs of all his servants. In proportion as we exercise faith and trust in the Lord in regard to his work, in the same proportion we are enabled to rejoice in the Lord and to possess the peace of God that passeth all understanding, not only regarding the things of the present, but also concerning the glorious outcome.

Paul lost no time in following the instructions he had received to continue his labors in Europe. They sailed directly to Philippi, which was the principal city of that part of Macedonia. Apparently not finding a synagogue in Philippi, they went out of the city to the “river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and … sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.”

The text of the apostle’s discourse is not given. We know, nevertheless, quite distinctly what his message must have been. He had only the one message; namely, that God’s promise to Abraham was beginning to be fulfilled; that Messiah had come and given his life a ransom for the world, as its sin-offering; and that now forgiveness, reconciliation to God, and the privilege of suffering with him and joint-heirship in his kingdom, were being offered, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.

In the audience was a woman from Thyatira, of the very district into which the apostle was previously not permitted to enter and preach. Lydia, a merchant of purple dyes or purple-dyed cloth, may have been in Philippi only temporarily. Like the apostle and his company, she had sought out the place of prayer, and now the Lord had rewarded her and answered her prayers by sending her …the truth for which she had been hungering and thirsting. She and some of her household believed and were promptly baptized in confession of their faith—possibly on this very Sabbath in which she first heard the truth.

Lydia’s quick and whole-hearted response to the message is noted in the words, “Whose heart the Lord opened.” None are ready for the truth unless the Lord has prepared their hearts. And this often means trials, disappointments, difficulties, etc.—the processes by which the Lord breaks up and prepares the soil of our hearts for reception of his truth and grace.

The second part of today’s lesson was written many years later. The church at Philippi, whose small beginning we have just considered, had prospered; and had been zealous in support of the apostle’s ministry at various times, as recorded in his epistles. Now he was in prison at Rome. The church at Philippi had sent a messenger, Epaphroditus, with a gift to him; he was acknowledging their loving devotion to him as a servant of the Lord. And in the same epistle he sent some additional and precious instruction in the way of the Lord.

The section of the epistle in our lesson recounts our Lord’s great example of humble devotion to the Father’s will and plan; how that devotion brought him to the earth as a human being, and finally to the death of the cross. The apostle urges the brethren (and us) that this same mind be in them; pointing out the inevitable consequence, as well, that “he that humbleth himself [following in the steps of Jesus] shall be exalted.” (Luke 14;11) Our Golden Text explains the source of the Apostle Paul’s courage, which enabled him to suffer much in the service of the Lord and the truth without flinching or regret. It was the promised grace to help in every time of need.

QUESTIONS:

Under what circumstances did Paul visit Philippi?

What lessons may we gain from the conversion of Lydia and her course thereafter?

What did the apostle mean in urging that we “let this mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus”?

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