Showing posts with label Paul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul. Show all posts
Monday, February 6, 2012
Paul's Associates
You will probably recognize some of these names, but as you read this list, you might realize that they all had something in common.
Stephen, Ananias, Barnabas, John Mark, Simeon Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, Peter, James, Judas Barsabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke, Lydia, Phillipian jailer, Jason, Dionysius the Aeropagite, Damaris, Aquila & Priscilla, Titius Justus, Crispus, Apollos, Erastus, Sopater of Berea, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Tychicus, Trophimus, Phillip the evangelist, Agabus, Mnason of Cyprus, Phoebe, Epaenetus, Mary of Rome, Andronicus, Junias, Ampliatus, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, household of Aristobulus, Herodian, household of Narcissus, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, Philologus, Julia, Nereus, Olympas, Sosipater, Tertius, Quartus, Sosthenes, Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus. Epaphroditus, Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, Epaphras, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Jesus Justus, Demas, Nympha, Silvanus, Crescens, Titus, Carpus, Onesiphorus, Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, Zenas the lawyer, and Philemon.
All these people knew the Apostle Paul. Some were his companions as he traveled and ministered. Some were co-workers that had their own ministries, but they kept a close association with Paul. Some were just helpers that might have had only one opportunity to assist Paul by letting him stay in their homes for a few days, or giving him a meal. Stephen's intercession at his martyrdom brought Paul into the Kingdom. Ananias interceded for Paul to boost him into ministry. Barnabas stood up for, and beside, Paul when the Church wasn't ready to accept his conversion.
Paul is often looked up to as an example of ministry because he had such an impact and took the Good News into unreached territory. But we see many today that seek to exalt themselves through their 'ministry." Paul was not a lone wolf. Throughout his ministry, he connected to other people. He didn't do it all alone.
i remember one TV preacher that used to host a program where he would interview and converse with other preachers. Then, he changed his program. No more guests. No more promoting other ministries. I immediately saw this as a warning sign. Sure enough, one of the major TV networks exposed him as a fake and a phony out to get money from his supporters.
Paul had no problem associating with, and working with others. He knew he couldn't do it all alone. He recognized that he needed other people. He did this easily, because his ministry was about people.
Where are the Pauls of today?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
PAUL'S PRAYERS
For
God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His
Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,
always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the
will of God I may succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you so
that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be
established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you
while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and
mine. I do not want you to be unaware,
brethren,
that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so
far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among
the rest of the Gentiles.
(Rom.
1:9-13 NASB)
Please
read the following passages also. I'll wait. ;-)
1Cor.
1:3-7
Gal.
4:19-20
Eph.
1:15-23
Php.
1:3-11
Col.
1:3-12
1Thess.
1:2-8
2Thess.
1:2-4
2Tim.
1:2-6
Titus
1:4
Philemon
3-7
Are
you catching a theme here? Everyone that we know for sure that Paul
wrote to, he prayed for, or he pronounced blessings on them. The
letter to the Galatians is the only one where he did not specifically
say that he prayed for them, but he did say that he labored over them
so that Christ would be formed in them. The chances that his labor
did NOT include prayer are slim, fat and none.
Now,
we could get all religious and say that this is an example for
ministers to follow, and that would have some truth behind it, but it
would too easily become a rule imposed by the flesh, upon the flesh,
to produce an appearance of spirituality.
But
take a closer look at those verses. What is really in Paul's heart?
FAMILY!
What
does family actually mean in this case? Obviously, Paul is not
talking about the typical family structure of father, mother, and
children.
I
have observed that people in certain groups or professions refer to
each other as family. For example, to every firefighter, every other
firefighter is a brother (or sister). They don't care whether the
other firefighters are active or retired, volunteer or professional.
Neither do they care about which department they belong to, their
particular assignment, experience, or where or how they got their
training. They also don't care about each others' race, ethnicity,
religion or political affiliations.
Introduce
a firefighter from Boston to a Forestry Service smoke eater from the
Pacific
Northwest,
and they'll immediately see each other as brothers.
Why?
Because they have a relationship, a common bond, that goes beyond
formal
connections.
I
have also seen this and experienced it among military veterans. Sad
to say, but I would trust my life to some of the guys I served with
in the National Guard before I would trust some TV preachers.
Why
doesn't the Church act more like the family it is? We act too much
like a natural family: barely functional at best, abusive at the
worst. More than one factor probably plays a role in this, but
religion and immaturity are most likely the two biggest factors.
What
can we do to change this? Maybe start with Paul's example and start
praying, by name, and individually, for churches and believers that
we personally know. Besides keeping us busy, it will forge stronger
bonds of love within and between us.
And
while we're at it, let's do the same for the ones we know are
operating in or promoting error. That will be the best thing we can
do to get them out of it and back into love and truth.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Meditation on Titus
It's been a while since I posted anything from my "meditations" that come from assimilating the New Testament. Actually, it has been too long, since April of last year! Some of these are not real meditations, for they did not come from the meditation process. They are things that I have noticed from reading a particular book over and over. Maybe I have noticed them on my own, or the Holy Spirit has either shown them to me, or He has brought them to my attention and by focusing on them my mind or my spirit has come to see a truth. I offer them as food for your own meditation. With that said, I must now post the next entry in my meditation notebook:
TITUS 31 MAR 09
Paul's letter to Titus serves as a "bridge" between his writings and the letter from Jude. They have similar themes: Warnings about false prophets and false doctrine, exhortation to food works. The major difference is Paul's emphasis on the leadership of the Church. Even though we have the Holy Spirit as our Teacher, we still need sound leaders in Church to contrast with the false leaders and to counteract their deception.
TITUS 31 MAR 09
Paul's letter to Titus serves as a "bridge" between his writings and the letter from Jude. They have similar themes: Warnings about false prophets and false doctrine, exhortation to food works. The major difference is Paul's emphasis on the leadership of the Church. Even though we have the Holy Spirit as our Teacher, we still need sound leaders in Church to contrast with the false leaders and to counteract their deception.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Meditations on Philemon - Part 3
30 OCT 08
We can see from some of the things that Paul says that he must have met Philemon at some time in the past. This is interesting, because Paul had never been to Colossae before he wrote the letters to Colossae and Philemon. Philemon might have been part of the ministry team that started the church at Colossae. Paul did travel to through Laodicea, near Colossae, and Paul probably met Philemon there and converted him.
However their relationship came to be, Paul's letter is an example of how close friends can be even when separated by great distances. This letter is about Paul's relationship with Philemon as much as it is about Philemon's relationship with Onesimus.
01 NOV 08
In verse 19, when Paul puts into his own handwriting his pledge to cover an damages or loss caused by Onesimus, he does not say that he will pay, but that he will repay. Paul assumed the debt of of Onesimus as his own. This shows the depth of love and friendship Paul felt towards both men.
We can see from some of the things that Paul says that he must have met Philemon at some time in the past. This is interesting, because Paul had never been to Colossae before he wrote the letters to Colossae and Philemon. Philemon might have been part of the ministry team that started the church at Colossae. Paul did travel to through Laodicea, near Colossae, and Paul probably met Philemon there and converted him.
However their relationship came to be, Paul's letter is an example of how close friends can be even when separated by great distances. This letter is about Paul's relationship with Philemon as much as it is about Philemon's relationship with Onesimus.
01 NOV 08
In verse 19, when Paul puts into his own handwriting his pledge to cover an damages or loss caused by Onesimus, he does not say that he will pay, but that he will repay. Paul assumed the debt of of Onesimus as his own. This shows the depth of love and friendship Paul felt towards both men.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Meditations on Philemon - Part 2
27 OCT 08
Paul never refers to himself as a prisoner for Christ, but as a prisoner of Christ. He does this to show that he is always conscious of his "obligation" to Christ.
On the road to Damascus, Christ "captured" Saul and began to transform him into Paul. Saul was acting in rebellion to the Good News, so he was an outlaw, spiritually speaking, who needed to be arrested. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul states that he was apprehended (KJV) by Christ.
27 OCT 08
Paul's letter is not just addressed to Philemon. His greeting includes Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets at Philemon's house. Paul probably included them in this letter because they too were harmed when Onesimus ran away.
Because Archippus is mentioned in Paul's letter to the Colossians, and is mentioned as being a minister, we know that these people lived in or near Colossae. Philemon must have owned an estate near Colossae, Apphia or Archippus lived with him, and he hosted or pastored a church that met at his house. Apphia and Archippus were probably relatives of Philemon. Apphia was most likely his wife, but could have been his mother or sister acting as the lady of the estate. Archippus was most likely Philemon's brother or son.
Onesimus could have been assigned to serve Apphia and Archippus, and so they would have been harmed when he ran away. If he was assigned domestic duties in the house,he could have been used to prepare the house for church meetings,and his loss would have harmed the church.
The lesson here is that the situation was not just about Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. Apphia, Archippus, and the house church also needed to forgive Onesimus and accept him as a brother in Christ.
28 OCT 08
In verse 18, where Paul pledges to cover any loss to Philemon caused by Onesimus, commentators often state the possibility the slave might have stolen some money or other property from his master when he ran away. What we might not see is that Onesimus could have cause loss in other ways.
For one thing, his labor was not available to Philemon, and Philemon had to have someone else do that work: either someone hired, or a new slave, or the work given to other slaves and their workload increased as their productivity decreased. So Philemon had to pay the wages of a new hire, or the price of a new slave, or he lost money due to less output from his estate.
This pledge by Paul shows how much he loved both men!
This also shows us a picture of propitiation. As Paul pledged to satisfy the debt caused by Onesimus, so Jesus pledged His life to satisfy our debt of sin.
30 OCT 08
In verse 6, Paul prays " that the fellowship of your faith may become effective..." Notice that Paul did not say "fellowship of the faith..." Paul is talking about a fellowship based on a personal faith. Fellowship is also a sharing of resources and responsibilities as in a partnership.
Paul goes on to say that this fellowship becomes effective "through knowledge of every good thing" that is in Philemon "for Christ's sake." Paul is calling Philemon to remember the positive thing that Christ has placed in Philemon because of his faith, and these things were placed their for Christ's benefit. Of course, the most important thing Christ placed in Philemon is love, which he demonstrates by his treatment of the saints.
In short, Paul is telling Philemon to remember his faith in Christ, how that faith changed him, and how he treats other believers.
Paul never refers to himself as a prisoner for Christ, but as a prisoner of Christ. He does this to show that he is always conscious of his "obligation" to Christ.
On the road to Damascus, Christ "captured" Saul and began to transform him into Paul. Saul was acting in rebellion to the Good News, so he was an outlaw, spiritually speaking, who needed to be arrested. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul states that he was apprehended (KJV) by Christ.
27 OCT 08
Paul's letter is not just addressed to Philemon. His greeting includes Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets at Philemon's house. Paul probably included them in this letter because they too were harmed when Onesimus ran away.
Because Archippus is mentioned in Paul's letter to the Colossians, and is mentioned as being a minister, we know that these people lived in or near Colossae. Philemon must have owned an estate near Colossae, Apphia or Archippus lived with him, and he hosted or pastored a church that met at his house. Apphia and Archippus were probably relatives of Philemon. Apphia was most likely his wife, but could have been his mother or sister acting as the lady of the estate. Archippus was most likely Philemon's brother or son.
Onesimus could have been assigned to serve Apphia and Archippus, and so they would have been harmed when he ran away. If he was assigned domestic duties in the house,he could have been used to prepare the house for church meetings,and his loss would have harmed the church.
The lesson here is that the situation was not just about Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. Apphia, Archippus, and the house church also needed to forgive Onesimus and accept him as a brother in Christ.
28 OCT 08
In verse 18, where Paul pledges to cover any loss to Philemon caused by Onesimus, commentators often state the possibility the slave might have stolen some money or other property from his master when he ran away. What we might not see is that Onesimus could have cause loss in other ways.
For one thing, his labor was not available to Philemon, and Philemon had to have someone else do that work: either someone hired, or a new slave, or the work given to other slaves and their workload increased as their productivity decreased. So Philemon had to pay the wages of a new hire, or the price of a new slave, or he lost money due to less output from his estate.
This pledge by Paul shows how much he loved both men!
This also shows us a picture of propitiation. As Paul pledged to satisfy the debt caused by Onesimus, so Jesus pledged His life to satisfy our debt of sin.
30 OCT 08
In verse 6, Paul prays " that the fellowship of your faith may become effective..." Notice that Paul did not say "fellowship of the faith..." Paul is talking about a fellowship based on a personal faith. Fellowship is also a sharing of resources and responsibilities as in a partnership.
Paul goes on to say that this fellowship becomes effective "through knowledge of every good thing" that is in Philemon "for Christ's sake." Paul is calling Philemon to remember the positive thing that Christ has placed in Philemon because of his faith, and these things were placed their for Christ's benefit. Of course, the most important thing Christ placed in Philemon is love, which he demonstrates by his treatment of the saints.
In short, Paul is telling Philemon to remember his faith in Christ, how that faith changed him, and how he treats other believers.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Meditations on Philemon - Part 1
After reading Jude, I moved on to Philemon.
14 OCT 08
One of the shortest books of the Bible, but a fairly well-known story:
Onesimus was a runaway slave who belonged to one of Paul's friends. He met or found Paul, who was in prison at the time. Paul led Onesimus to the Lord, then sent him back to his master. Paul's letter is a plea for Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a brother in the Lord, even as if he were Paul himself (v. 17), and not as a slave. Runaway slaves who were returned to their masters were often punished severely.
Paul as an apostle could have ordered Philemon to either grant Onesimus his freedom, give him as a gift to Paul (v.13), or to not punish him. But Paul knew that to do so would infringe on Philemon's free will given by God. If God would not override Philemon's free will, neither will Paul (v.14).
The key phrase in this book is in verse 9: "for love's sake." For love's sake, Paul appeals to his friend instead of using his authority to order him to do the right thing. Paul also knew of Philemon's love for the saints (v. 5), and he was sure that would not only do what he asked, but more than that!
15 OCT 08
An interesting thread in this book is the obligations that people have towards each other.
First, Paul reminds or informs Philemon that he (Paul) is in prison for his faith, and is a prisoner of Christ (v. 9). By stating this, I'm sure he reminded Philemon of his own obligation to Christ.
Paul also indicates that he could have kept Onesimus with him, but he felt an obligation to respect Philemon's choice (v.14).
Paul also recognizes that Onesimus has an obligation to Philemon, but offers to cover any loss that Philemon might have incurred by Onesimus' actions. He also reminds Philemon of the spiritual debt that he owes Paul (vs. 18 - 19).
The key lesson from this thread is: Which obligation is the most important? The obligation to love.
23 OCT 08
Most people might not know it, but Paul makes a pun in verses 10 and 11. In verse 10, he first mentions Onesimus, whose name means "useful." This was a common name for males born into slavery.
The pun comes in verse 11. Paul says that Onesimus, "Useful," was not useful when he ran away, but now he is Onesimus again because Paul led him to the Lord, and is sending him back to Philemon.
All too often, American Christians miss the humor in the Bible due to our not being acquainted with the languages and culture of the times and places of when and where it was written, and also due to the influence of religion that sees laughter as unholy or sinful.
24 OCT 08
To tie together previous entries, what we see in this letter is a balance between love, free will, and obligation.
God will never override man's free will, and neither must His servants. Despite having the authority to order Philemon to release Onesimus, Paul appeals to his friend on the basis of love.
People do have the ability to obligate themselves. Because Philemon was a believer, he chose to submit to the authorities in the Church.
What if Philemon had not been a believer? Once Paul found out his new convert was a runaway slave, he would have sent Onesimus back with a different message. Paul's letter then would have presented the Good News first, and might have appealed to Philemon to release Onesimus, or at least not punish him severely, on the basis of general morality.
Paul made his appeal because of the love of God he experienced. He appealed to the love of God that Philemon experienced as the reason for him to release Onesimus.
The obligations of love are stronger than the obligations of the law.
26 OCT 08
The depth of Paul's appeal to Philemon is seen in verses 7 and 20. In verse 7, Paul notes that Philemon, acting in love, refreshed the hearts of the saints. In verse 20, Paul asks Philemon to refresh his heart. In other words, show me the same love you show to other Christians in your area.
14 OCT 08
One of the shortest books of the Bible, but a fairly well-known story:
Onesimus was a runaway slave who belonged to one of Paul's friends. He met or found Paul, who was in prison at the time. Paul led Onesimus to the Lord, then sent him back to his master. Paul's letter is a plea for Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a brother in the Lord, even as if he were Paul himself (v. 17), and not as a slave. Runaway slaves who were returned to their masters were often punished severely.
Paul as an apostle could have ordered Philemon to either grant Onesimus his freedom, give him as a gift to Paul (v.13), or to not punish him. But Paul knew that to do so would infringe on Philemon's free will given by God. If God would not override Philemon's free will, neither will Paul (v.14).
The key phrase in this book is in verse 9: "for love's sake." For love's sake, Paul appeals to his friend instead of using his authority to order him to do the right thing. Paul also knew of Philemon's love for the saints (v. 5), and he was sure that would not only do what he asked, but more than that!
15 OCT 08
An interesting thread in this book is the obligations that people have towards each other.
First, Paul reminds or informs Philemon that he (Paul) is in prison for his faith, and is a prisoner of Christ (v. 9). By stating this, I'm sure he reminded Philemon of his own obligation to Christ.
Paul also indicates that he could have kept Onesimus with him, but he felt an obligation to respect Philemon's choice (v.14).
Paul also recognizes that Onesimus has an obligation to Philemon, but offers to cover any loss that Philemon might have incurred by Onesimus' actions. He also reminds Philemon of the spiritual debt that he owes Paul (vs. 18 - 19).
The key lesson from this thread is: Which obligation is the most important? The obligation to love.
23 OCT 08
Most people might not know it, but Paul makes a pun in verses 10 and 11. In verse 10, he first mentions Onesimus, whose name means "useful." This was a common name for males born into slavery.
The pun comes in verse 11. Paul says that Onesimus, "Useful," was not useful when he ran away, but now he is Onesimus again because Paul led him to the Lord, and is sending him back to Philemon.
All too often, American Christians miss the humor in the Bible due to our not being acquainted with the languages and culture of the times and places of when and where it was written, and also due to the influence of religion that sees laughter as unholy or sinful.
24 OCT 08
To tie together previous entries, what we see in this letter is a balance between love, free will, and obligation.
God will never override man's free will, and neither must His servants. Despite having the authority to order Philemon to release Onesimus, Paul appeals to his friend on the basis of love.
People do have the ability to obligate themselves. Because Philemon was a believer, he chose to submit to the authorities in the Church.
What if Philemon had not been a believer? Once Paul found out his new convert was a runaway slave, he would have sent Onesimus back with a different message. Paul's letter then would have presented the Good News first, and might have appealed to Philemon to release Onesimus, or at least not punish him severely, on the basis of general morality.
Paul made his appeal because of the love of God he experienced. He appealed to the love of God that Philemon experienced as the reason for him to release Onesimus.
The obligations of love are stronger than the obligations of the law.
26 OCT 08
The depth of Paul's appeal to Philemon is seen in verses 7 and 20. In verse 7, Paul notes that Philemon, acting in love, refreshed the hearts of the saints. In verse 20, Paul asks Philemon to refresh his heart. In other words, show me the same love you show to other Christians in your area.
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