Onesimus

For Christ’s Sake, Do Your Brother Well

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, and to beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.  For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is convenient, yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.  I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: which in time past was to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me: whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: but without your mind would I do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.  For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever; not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.  If he has wronged you, or owes anything, put that on my account; I Paul have written with mine own hand, I will repay, because I do not say to you, how you owe unto me even your own self besides.  Yea, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.  Having confidence in your obedience I wrote unto you, knowing that you will also do more than I say. But immediately prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
There, you salute Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Philemon 1:1-25

REFERENCES: Ephesians 1:2; 3:1; 2 Corinthians 7:13; 9:7; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 16:17; Colossians 4:9; Genesis 45:5

Day 85 – Pastors, Brethren, and Priests

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

My reading today was Titus 1 through Hebrews 6.  A wonderful reading.  I read of Titus a faithful Christian pastor on the Isle of Crete (1:5), and his ministry to the people.  Paul’s call to Titus for the appointing of “Elders” which is another word for “Pastors”.  Titus is the third and final “Pastoral Epistle”

You can see that the words “Elder” and “Bishop” are similar; because of how Paul uses them in verses five and seven. Paul addresses several issues for Titus; and warns him of several thins such as “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth” (1:14).

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.”  Titus 2:1-6 (KJV)

Sound doctrine is of much importance for the pastor of a Christian congregation.  Yet, in 2012 there are some who are more in favor of staying away from Biblical and Christian doctrine.  For fear of offense or offending others and driving them away from the “faith”.  People need Christ.  If we present not the cross of Christ and the correct doctrine of the cross no one will be saved, but will temporarily feel better, maybe.

Christian conduct in this world is given by Paul in chapter three; and he stresses the grace and mercy of God,

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7

Philemon, a small letter written by Paul while he is imprisoned for the faith of Christ; is written to this man for Onesimus who was a slave of Philemon.  He had evidently left Philemon without consent, maybe even taking some thing or things that did not belong to himself.  Onesimus became a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.  Onesimus has desire to make things right with Philemon, but fears for his life.  Philemon is a brother in Christ, now Onesimus is a brother in Christ, and the apostle exhorts Philemon to receive him as a brother.  I believe Philemon received Onesimus as a brother, and probably freed him.  I can see him grabbing Onesimus when he reads this letter and hugging his neck; forgiveness flowing from the heart of his brother.

“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?  If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.”  Philemon 15-17 (KJV)

The letter addressed to the Hebrew Christians is one dealing with the Deity and Priesthood of Christ Jesus.  The Hebrews were familiar with the issue of angels, Moses, and Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-20; Psalm 110).  The writer of Hebrews points out that Jesus is greater than angels, Moses and is a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 6:20)

Because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross we have the power and authority to approach the very throne of God.  Hear the Word of God,

“Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV)

Jesus is the Christ, Son of the Living God; crucified, buried, and bodily raised from the grave; ascended into Heaven, seated at the Father’s right hand, and is coming again to set things right forever.

Blessed be the name of the LORD.

-Tim A. Blankenship