Philippians Study

Who was Paul?

Paul is born Saul (Jewish name for Paul) of Tarsus (“No Insignificant city” in Cilicia)

This city is current day Mersin, Turkey

Paul studies under Gamaliel in Jerusalem

who was the leading authority of the Sanhedrin

the Pharisee doctor of Jewish law

held in great esteem by all Jews

Paul is a persecutor of the Church

Paul approves of the Stephen’s stoning

Believers are persecuted after Stephen’s death

believers scattered throughout Judea and Samaria

Paul is converted on the road to Damascus

Acts.9.1-9 Paul is on his way to persecute believers and has an encounter with Jesus

Paul is blinded

English Standard Version Chapter 9

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Ananias heals Paul Ac.9.10-19

Ananias recieved a vision from Jesus advising him to heal Paul from his blindness

Ananias did question Jesus as he recalled the horrible things Paul had done in persecuting followers of Christ

Ananias was obedient and did follow through with healing Paul in spite of the danger he perceived from what Paul could do

Now, Paul begins to preach/proclaim Jesus and is faced with the same plot on his life that he once orchestrated on other followers of Christ

Paul ends up escaping from Damascus

Paul is stoned at Lystra

Paul is imprisoned in Philippi after casting out a demon from a slave girl ( Ac.16.16-24)

while in prison, the Philippian jailer is converted (Ac.16.25-34)

earthquake shakes the cell

Paul is arrested in Jerusalem ( Ac.21.27-34)

Paul is participating in a Nazirite Ceremony

Based on false charges that Paul was violating the temple

while arrested, Paul defends himself to the crowd in Jerusalem ( Ac.21.35-22.23 )

Paul arrives in Rome and lives under House Arrest

Paul is preaching to both Jews and Gentiles while under house arrest

The Church of Philippi was sending gifts to Paul through a representative name Epaphroditus

as it was time for Epaphroditus to leave, Paul writes this letter to Philippi

Church of Philippi is the 1st church planted in Europe

becomes a model for other churches to follow

is an epistle that gives us an entirely different standard for giving and fund-raising

Philippians helps us to define biblical fellowship.

Philippians is a book that helps us get a proper perspective on unjust suffering, persecution, and even death.