Hello Everyone,
[Philippi, Greece. A few foundation stones of the Egnatian Way for a bridge over the Gangitis river (the pavers to the right is modern).]
From the harbor in Neapolis Paul walked the ten miles to Philippi. In a city full of significant world history, the Holy Spirit added significant eternal history. Philippi would become the first city on another continent where the Gospel would be proclaimed and received by grace through faith. But the converts sure don’t seem to fit Paul’s master plan of evangelism.
Paul received a vision to move forward into new territory for the church. Yet you know the first person to be saved on European soil was neither European, male, nor Gentile.
Paul believed he was called to be the “apostle to the Gentiles,” preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, the supposed second convert at Philippi was a “special needs, trouble-making minor.”
Paul’s pattern for the church was to appoint leaders. However, in a single decisive act Paul lost the confidence of the entire business community in Philippi. Who was the third recorded salvation? The only man in town who was as loathed as Paul and Silas were at that time would be the jailer.
From a human perspective, it would appear that somebody goofed in Philippi, or worse, failed. Didn’t Paul know that “ethnic churches don’t mix”? That “children don’t pay the bills”? Or that “social outcasts would attract the ‘wrong’ kind of people”? From God’s perspective, one coming to faith in Jesus Christ as the promised Redeemer is never failure or a mistake.
Could a group of square pegs in round holes like these at Philippi become an effective, dynamic church? Could they also be pleasing to God? It is interesting that the Philippian church was known for its joy in Christ.
Jim
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