Philippi: the Beloved Church

Ancient Churches
Jerusalem - Corinth - Antioch - Philippi - Thessalonica - Ephesus - Rome - Laodicea - Galatia

Philippi: the Beloved Church

In the sixteenth chapter of the book of Acts, the apostle Paul witnessed a vision of a man from Macedonia, who beckoned him to “Come over into Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). At the time, Paul and his party were still in Asia, but “immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia” (Acts 16:10). Crossing the Aegean Sea, they landed at Neapolis and then headed up the Gangites River to Philippi, a city of importance to both the Greeks and the Romans.

Philippi was founded by Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. The Romans made it the capital of the province of Macedonia and gave land in and around it to veterans of the legion. This was done in many provincial capitals to ensure that the cities would remain loyal to the empire, Roman law would be upheld, and taxes would be paid.

The Lord’s church in Philippi was the result of evangelistic efforts conducted by Paul and his travelling companions, on his second missionary journey (Acts 16). The earliest converts in the city included a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple garments, who was originally from the Asian city of Thyatira (Acts 16:14,15), and the local jailer, whose name we do not know (Acts 16:23-34). Paul developed a very close relationship with the church in Philippi. Eventually, he wrote an epistle to the brethren there, in which he had nothing critical to say about them. He expressed his great love for them (Philippians 1:3), encouraged them to continue in faithfulness (Philippians 2:12), invited them to join him in opposing false religion (Philippians 3:17-19) and thanked them for having supported him, in his mission work (Philippians 4:14-18). It is abundantly clear that Paul’s relationship with the church in Philippi was one that he cherished and strove to preserve.

To his brethren in Philippi, Paul wrote about the joy of living a faithful Christian life (Philippians 4:4). He taught them not to worry about anything, but to put all things in God’s hands, and trust in His power to make a difference (Philippians 4:6). He told them how to tap into “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). He exalted Jesus Christ, as the source of his strength (Philippians 4:13). Paul was imprisoned, in Rome, when he wrote to the church in Philippi (Philippians 1:12-14). He sent to them greetings from their brethren in Rome “chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22). The gospel of Christ had gotten even into the house of the emperor!

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” – Philippians 1:3