Philippians – Introduction

Acts 16: 11-12 “From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.”

The Gospel always brings together the most unlikely of people.

Philippians 1:1-2 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This Book of Philippians:

• Paul is writing this from prison
• About AD 60

Acts 23:12-15 “The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ More than forty men were involved in this plot. ¹⁴ They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”

Acts 25:1-5 “Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, ² where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. ³ They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. ⁴ Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. ⁵ Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

Acts 25:9 “Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”

Acts 25:10-12 “Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. ¹¹ If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

“After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Quick Summary:

• Paul was Arrested in 57AD being wrongfully accused by Jewish Leadership
• Paul had a trial in 59AD
• His life was threatened by these same Jewish folks
• He had been left in jail for two years before his trial

Acts 24:24-27 “Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

²⁷ When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.”

Paul finally got his court case:

• The Jews wanted to have the trial in Jerusalem
• Because they had men planning on killing him
• He ended up appealing to Caesar
• Which would get him shipped back to Rome
• To await a trial date to have before Caesar
• Paul sat in house arrest in Rome for the next couple years

Paul was not in denial of his situation:

• Paul’s joy wasn’t happiness based on circumstances
• It was a joy anchored in Christ

Philippi was liberated in 42AD:

• It became a retirement community for Roman soldiers
• So, the city of Philippi was deeply committed to the honor and worship of Caesar