Note: Devotion taken from last Sunday's sermon on Philippians 1:1-2.
“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:1-2).
Paul’s
letter to the church at Philippi begins with three key points:
First,
he identifies the senders of the letter (v. 1a). It is chiefly written by the apostle Paul, but
also by his co-worker in the ministry Timothy. Timothy was a disciple with a
good reputation among the brethren whose mother was a Jewish believer but his
father a pagan unbeliever (Acts 16:1-2). He is listed as co-author with Paul of
Philippians and five other NT letters (cf. 2 Cor 1:1; Col 1:1; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1; and Philemon
1:1). The fact that two men are listed here is a reminder of the fact that we
never minister alone but are always working alongside fellow laborers in the
gospel.
They describe themselves as “servants [Greek: douloi,
slaves] of Jesus Christ.” There is no room for arrogance in the Christian life
and especially in ministry and service.
Second, he describes the recipients of the letter (v. 1b). It is addressed “to all the saints
in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi.” The word “saints” here means “holy ones,” those set
apart for salvation through faith in Christ and sanctification as they abide in
Christ. So, it is addressed to believers.
These
saints were at Philippi in Macedonia (for the beginning of this church see Acts
16). Notice that the believers who lived in a particular area were meant to
come together as the visible church in the place where they lived.
We have two key points
here:
First: The church is
regenerate. It is composed of believers.
Second: The church is
local. We believe in the universal church, the mystical body of Christ. But the
church is also local. If you are part of the universal, invisible church, you
will also want to be part of the local, visible church.
Paul next adds, “with
the bishops and deacons.” Are there three groups that are being addressed here:
saints, bishops, and deacons? No. Only one group is addressed: the saints
(believers) in the church. Within that church, however, there are men called to
serve the body in two offices (cf. 1 Timothy 3:1-13). There are bishops (also
known as elders or pastors), whose task is to teach and rule [administer], and
there are deacons, whose task is to serve the church’s materials needs.
Third, Paul offers an
apostolic blessing (v. 2). Notice he speaks of
God’s grace, the means of their salvation, and peace, the end (outcome) of their
salvation. By God’s grace, through faith in Christ, they have found peace with
God (cf. Romans 5:1).
The church at Philippi
was a faithful body of believers ordered by Scriptural rule. We too seek to be the
same in our church.
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