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PHILIPPIANS--THE KEYS THAT CONNECT

Just like in the epistle to those at Galatia, we see clearly, keys that also connect the epistle to those at Philippi to the journeys of the Apostles in the book of Acts.

Everything in the New Covenant connects back to the book of Acts. Remember-- this is where the “first epistle" was written-- Acts 15:19-29.

Comparing Acts 16 to the Epistle to the Philippians

In this lesson, we will simply look for keys that connect the epistle written to those at Philippi to the epistle that was delivered by Paul and Timothy in Acts 16:4 when they delivered the decrees.

When reading this letter to those at Philippi, you would not be able to answer basic questions if you did not see its connection with the book of Acts. In Philippians 1:1, it states, "Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi...” Verse 3 says, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you." When did they visit those people at Philippi before that they might be remembering them? Where is scriptural support to show that they were at Philippi? What happened to them when they were in Philippi?

You must go back to Acts 16:4 & 12. This is where you will see that Paul and Timothy traveled through this city and this region delivering the decrees that were decided upon by the apostles and elders for the Gentiles to follow.

Philippians 1:7 "For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are partakers of grace with me." When was Paul in prison that these people in Philippi would know what he was speaking of?

Once you see the correlation with the books of Acts you can know the answer to these basic questions. Notice in Acts 16:20-40, how the Word clearly declares that Paul and his companions were thrown in "prison" (v 23) when they were preaching in Philippi. Acts 16:20,22,23,24,25,26,27,31,33,35,36,37,38,and 40 all "reveal" clearly that they were thrown into prison and the whole praetorian guard, the chief magistrates, and everyone else had heard about what had happened to them while they were in Philippi.

This whole situation of Paul's imprisonment is a key that connects his journeys found in the book of Acts to the epistle that was written to those at Philippi later. If you did not see this connection you could never answer the simple questions found in Philippians---Like when and where were they in prison?

This truth holds true throughout the whole New Testament. You can understand the purpose of each epistle only after you see the correlation between Acts and the epistles that were written later.

Now you know, when Paul speaks of his imprisonment to the Philippians, he is specifically speaking about those circumstances that he had to endure while he was there with them before. He is speaking directly in reference to what happened to them while they were on their journeys delivering the decrees for the Gentiles to follow (Acts 16:4).

Also remember this is NOT an isolated situation. This happens in every city that they traveled through---Galatians, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus, and also Rome. In each and every city, we see clearly, keys that connect this beautiful mystery by connecting the description of their original visit to each city or region detailed in the book of Acts to the epistles Paul wrote later to each of these cities or regions, each epistle supporting, therefore, the unveiling of the mystery of the New Covenant.

Pastor Ronald David Kosor