Philippi

by J. W. Archibald | Category: New Testament Churches Of God(their History, Order And Confl | Jul 1982

Please read Acts 16 and Philippians 1-4

Secular history tells us that the city of Philippi was founded by Alexander the Great in order to fortify a gold mine there. Alexander ranks as one of the greatest military leaders the world has known and he named the city after his father Philip of Macedon who is reckoned to have been one of the most effective statesmen in European history. This city which knew such distinction in its origins, attained greater distinction some three and a half centuries later when Paul the apostle of Christ Jesus unobtrusively arrived with his companions. His arrival in Philippi marked the beginning of the work of God there which resulted in the establishment of the church of God in that city. It was the first city in Europe to be so distinguished. There can be no greater benefit to any community of men than the arrival of the gospel of Christ or the presence of a church of God in full service and witness. This is why the lowly apostle who sat in the stocks in the inner prison of Philippi brought more value to the city than all that ever came out of the gold mine and more true greatness than could ever be conferred by the illustrious world ruler who founded it.

Before there was a church of God in Philippi there was a place of prayer. Paul and his companions found it on the sabbath day and were able to tell the news of salvation with good effect. Prayer and success in the work of the Lord can never be divorced. Many prayers lie behind the planting of new churches of God and that is as true today as it was then.

What kind of people came to be in the church in Philippi? Acts chapter 16 makes it clear enough that it was those whose hearts were opened to believe on the Lord Jesus and who were subsequently baptized. They were people from very different backgrounds. Before salvation, the devout Lydia must have had practically nothing in common with the rough jailor, but both needed salvation and found it, and both would serve together in the Fellowship of God's Son. Those who would never have been drawn together or kept together by any natural inclination or interest are thus brought together by their obedience to the will of their common Lord and their love for Him.

We are able to form a picture of the church of God in Philippi from the letter of Paul to the Philippians. He used his letter to emphasize three

subjects of great significance. First he impressed on them the importance of the gospel. Then he taught them the secret of maintaining divine unity. Finally he dealt with the matter of spiritual growth and progress. These lessons are vital to any church of God.

The Importance of the Gospel

At the beginning of his letter Paul refers with pleasure to the Philippians' fellowship in the gospel. They were partners in it. Not only did they share the priceless benefit of the knowledge of Christ, but it was their privilege to be active together in taking the message to others. They were not only a local witness to the salvation of God, but they were part of a larger community of all the churches of God which was vigorously engaged in the spread of the gospel of Christ.

The gospel requires high standards of conduct in its bearers. "Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ" is the reminder from the Spirit through Paul. God uses fallible men to carry the sublime news of salvation through faith in His Son, who was sacrificed on Calvary. Such vessels seem inadequate to convey the precious content of a message which is greater than its bearers and ennobles them as they speak it and live it. Surely the redeemed should be seen to live differently from those that go down to the pit!

Together with this desired way of life Paul links the need for a clear grasp and presentation of the truths of the gospel. "With one soul striving for the faith of the gospel". This emphasizes the importance of knowing what the gospel is. A healthy balance of doctrine and practice is needed. There are many false or counterfeit gospels. They can be quickly exposed by identifying what they teach about the person of Christ. Any message which robs Christ of His Deity is not the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.

The Adversary will certainly not let such a blessed message go unopposed or unhindered. Hence the apostle speaks of the adversaries in chapter 1:28. He no doubt remembered the Satanic opposition he experienced himself on his first visit to Philippi. Such opposition would not cease when Paul himself left the city, but as the Lord marvellously liberated His servants from the stocks and the inner prison, so also He is well able to sustain all His faithful witnesses in their defence of the gospel.

The Secret of Divine Unity

We have already commented on the diversity of character and background of those in the church at Philippi. It is a delightful reflection of divine grace when such diverse elements can blend in peace and harmony in the Lord's service. God takes pleasure in it, and so the apostle says in chapter 2, "Fulfil

ye my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." Related to this happy condition is the virtue of contentment. "Do all things without murmurings and disputings".

Sometimes in assembly life this blessed picture seems very difficult of attainment among disciples who otherwise are very worthy. Because unity is so important and because it is God-honouring, the Adversary tirelessly strives to prevent it. Too often he is somewhat successful, to our own incalculable loss and the hampering of our testimony. Paul gives the Philippian saints the secret of victory. It is contained in verses 3-11 of chapter 2. We would save ourselves much heartache by making these inspired words part of our everyday thought and motivation. If we do succeed in counting others better than ourselves we shall find it difficult to maintain acrimonious dispute or bitter strife with our brethren and sisters. And if we have any real appreciation of the Lord Jesus, in very nature God, yet put to death; and if we fill our vision with the one who is Lord and to whom all will bow and confess His supremacy, then petty dissatisfactions and trivial self-importance will be utterly banished. Then we shall be seen as lights in the world amid a crooked and perverse generation.

Spiritual Growth and Progress

In chapter 3 Paul voices his concern that the Philippian church should not be hindered in its proper spiritual growth and development. First he warns the Philippians of a retarding factor that was active in many of the churches of God at that time. This was the unhelpful teaching of those he describes as "the concision". It was a doctrine of works carried over from the Jewish tradition of religious observances. The spirit of this teaching was rooted in empty ritual that satisfied human pride. It therefore distracted the new disciples from the glory of Christ and consequently stunted their growth.

To lead them away from this, Paul reminds them that by birth, upbringing and observance he could rightly claim to have satisfied all the requirements of this teaching. He goes on to assure them that, set against the knowledge of Christ Jesus, these attainments are not only worthless, but should be actively dismissed. The mighty apostle confesses that he himself has not reached full growth. "Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may apprehend that for which also I was apprehended by Christ Jesus." Each disciple in a church of God has been called of God and has been claimed by the Lord Jesus. The Lord has a purpose to fulfil in each life and in the collective service of the church. The greatest achievement and happiness for any individual is that this purpose should find fulfilment. Both spiritual condition and place of service are important to that successful fulfilment. The apostle pleads that they should never go back on the progress they have made. "Only, whereunto we have already attained, by that same rule let us walk."

Hindrances to spiritual progress are of this world, but our salvation and our Saviour are from heaven. There are two contrasting attitudes. There are those who mind earthly things and there are those who wait for a Saviour from heaven. Those who wait for the Saviour are only too conscious of the weakness and failure occasioned by the body of our humiliation, but the humiliation is not for long. The Lord Jesus Christ will bring deliverance from this also, and the body of humiliation will be fashioned anew and conformed to the body of His glory. He will do that for the Philippians and He will do it for us in the same day that is coming. The greatest spiritual stature is attained by those who see this most clearly.

J. W. Archibald | Jul 1982
New Testament Churches Of God(their History, Order And Confl