A practice that I have followed since attending writing class in Bible college has been based on a simple statement from the instructor, Mrs. Shirley Johnson.  She encouraged us with this simple statement – “The art of writing is rewriting”.  I have applied this to my study of God’s Word and preparation of lessons and messages over the decades.  The following statement may seem strange to some, but I have never completed a lesson plan or message.  Revision is the result of continual study.  Study and preparation must be focused on the whole counsel of God, but time must be set aside for review and revision.

I have been revising the preaching outline of the First Epistle to the Corinthians from Paul.  The introduction to this outline includes the arrival of the missionaries in Philippi and from there, the ministry from Philippi south to the city of Corinth.  As I considered the initial ministry of the missionaries in Europe, I was intrigued by the incidences which led to this ministry and asked myself if they were simply coincidences.  I would like to share some of these thoughts and trust that you will include them in your own studies.

My attention was captured by Luke’s description of the city of Philippi.

Acts 16:12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

What was the purpose of mentioning that Philippi was a chief city…and a colony? 

The answer is that Philippi was –

1. Chief –  Important to Rome and therefore was garrisoned with Roman legions.

2. Colony –  Image of Rome and was guaranteed protection through law and order.

The question now is what was the Biblical relevance of this city to God, and why did He direct Paul and the missionaries there to begin their ministry in Europe. 

The following are thoughts to consider.

The city is located in Macedonia’s Eastern border with Thrace.  At the time of Philip II’s accession to power in Macedonia, the city was known as Crenides and was under the control of the Thracians.  As Philip consolidated his power, he appreciated the strategic location of the town, he captured and fortified the city, renaming it after himself – Philippi.  Philip continued to expand his power and influence, extending Macedonia’s control over much of Greece.  His ultimate goal was to create an armed force with the power and skill to overthrow the Persian Empire.  Philip was assassinated before his plan could be accomplished, but his son, Alexander, had learned both political and military expertise from his father.  Alexander consolidated the power of Macedonia and Greece and began to fulfill his father’s dream of conquering Persia.  Neither Philip nor Alexander knew of their part in God’s plan to accomplish God’s purpose as foretold by Daniel.

Daniel 8:5-8  And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

Daniel 8:20-22  The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

The power of Alexander and the Macedonian/Grecian Empire was broken and divided into four powers which were eventually overthrown by the Roman Republic.  The Republic extended its control across the nations as was declared in Daniel, Rome being the fourth beast.

The Republic under the control of the people was overthrown at the death of Julius Caesar.  The battle which settled the issue was fought on the plains adjacent to the city of Philippi.  Augustus took control as Emperor of the Roman Empire.  Soldiers from Italy were settled in Philippi and the city was given the status of Colony.  Due to its advantageous location, it was fortified and garrisoned with Roman legions. A highway, the Via Egnatia, was constructed which passed through Philippi and connecting to the previously constructed Via Appia, into Rome, giving quick and protected access from the East to the West.  The two cities were now connected by politics and power.

It seems that the church in Rome was established by the resident Jews who had trusted God for salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, while visiting in Jerusalem.  Upon their return to Rome, they established the church there. 

As we consider the Via Egnatia and Via Appia, on the West in Rome a church was established.  Upon the arrival the missionaries and the establishment of the church in Philippi, the two cities were now connected, not only through earthly power and politics, but also their spiritual relationship with God through His churches.

This connection has more implications as will be noted.

Paul and the missionaries preached and taught the Word of God to those who had been evangelized on the first missionary journey, as well as delivering the decrees recommended by the church in Jerusalem.  As they completed the ministry in this familiar territory, Paul was faced with the decision as to how to proceed.  He may have desired to take the gospel to cities in Asia, such as Colossae and Laodicea, but the Holy Spirit led them to continue Northward, bypassing Asia.  As they came to the crossroad leading either to Bithynia or Mysia, Paul determined to turn east into Bithynia, but again, the Holy Spirit forbade them to travel east.  The missionaries continued to seek the leadership of God, and being forbidden to go east, they went west through Mysia to Troas.  As the following account from Luke informs us, in Troas Paul was directed by God to enter in Macedonia, and continuing to the west, landed in Neapolis and then on to Philippi. 

Acts 16:6-12  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

 It is clear to us that God’s will for the missionaries was that they begin their ministry in Europe in the city of Philippi.  In this city, the Word of God was preached and it is interesting to note that the first convert was an expatriate businesswoman from the city of Thyatira in Asia. 

Acts 16:14-15  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

The church was established and growing as people as the missionaries obeyed God’s command as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. 

The ministry and the results of the ministry should be familiar to you and so in keeping with my theme as to the importance of the ministry of the Gospel in the eastern area of Europe beginning in Philippi, we turn to the unjust accusation and punishment of Paul and Silas. 

Acts 16:22-24  And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Following this rush to judgment by the magistrates, they determined to defuse the situation by having Paul and Silas quietly released and escorted out of the city. 

Acts 16:36-40  And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

The magistrates feared the unjust punishment of Paul and Silas because they had broken the law of Rome, which stated that all citizens were protected from this type of treatment, having the right of a fair trial and the right to appeal to Caesar.  The citizens of Philippi, being a chief city and a colony, and connected as it was to Rome by the highways Via Egnatia and Appia, would not approve of the handling of this matter, as it could cause a rift with Rome.  Paul and Silas were both aware of this and took care to visit the church prior to their departure, ensuring the citizens of Philippi that the church had the approval of citizens of Rome and therefore, added some protection of the law to the church.  The magistrates would be cautious of their treatment of the church because their actions which were contrary to the law, could easily be made known to Rome.

I believe that we can see God’s working through the centuries with those that had faith in Him and in those which did not acknowledge His existence.  God is in control.

I wonder, when the Apostle Paul stepped  onto the Via Appia after coming ashore at Puteoli, Italy, did he look to the East and think of Philippi, the city where he began his ministry in Europe so many years earlier?