Books 56 and 57
The Book Of Titus
Who wrote the book of Titus: Paul
When was it written: Approximately 64 A.D.
As stated earlier, Paul wrote this letter to Titus shortly before his last imprisonment in Rome. Prior to this time Paul and Titus had spent about three years together in Ephesus.
After leaving Ephesus, Paul sent Titus to work with the church in Corinth for a while before taking him to Crete.
Paul’s Purpose In Writing Titus Was To:
Give Titus guidance and instruction for meeting opposition from unbelievers
Give Titus authorization to address these issues
Define the guidelines for Christian conduct
Warn Titus about false teachers
Commission (encourage) Titus to continue his evangelistic work
What We Learn From The Book Of Titus
God does not lie. (1:2)
Instructions for the qualifications of an elder in the church. (1:6-9)
The church cannot permit false and divisive teachers. (1:10-11)
We must only teach and live according to the doctrine taught by Jesus. (2:1)
Christian conduct. (2:2-9)
We are to say ‘no’ to worldly passions; living godly, upright lives. (2:12)
Those who live in faithful obedience have the hope of heaven. (2:13-14)
We are to be respectful and subject to the authorities and rulers of our government. (3:1)
We are to live humbly, and peacefully, and show respect to everyone. (3:2)
We are saved because of God’s love and grace through baptism—not because of anything we’ve done or our own righteousness. (3:5-7)
Instructions for how to deal with divisive people in the congregation. (3:10-11)
We are to live productive lives in order to provide for our own necessities. (3:14)
The Book Of Philemon
Who wrote Philemon: Paul When was it written: 60 A.D.
The book of Philemon consists of one chapter that contains only twenty-five verses. Don’t let the fact that it is so short, however, trick you into believing it has nothing to offer. The book of Philemon contains a powerful and important message we all need to hear.
The Message Is This:
God can change anyone’s heart that allows him to do so. None of us are above needing salvation and none of us are below or too far gone to receive it.
Paul wrote this letter to Philemon during the time he spent on the island of Melita, Sicily, as a prisoner of the Roman government on his way to Rome.
The purpose of this letter was to persuade Philemon to accept his former slave, Onesimus as a brother in Christ rather than to see him only as a slave.
The request/instruction from Paul to Philemon was more than just a request to accept someone as an equal, though. Much more.
Onesimus, who had been Philemon’s slave, had run away after stealing from Philemon. While on the run, however, Onesimus met Paul and was introduced to the truth of the Gospel.
We don’t know under what conditions Paul and Onesimus met, because as stated above, Paul was being escorted to Rome as a prisoner when he wrote this letter to Philemon.
What we do know is that he spent the fall and winter of 60 A. D. in Sicily due to the fact that they had been shipwrecked on the island. This could mean that Onesiumus had been on the same ship as Paul working as part of the crew, or as a stowaway or prisoner also on his way to Rome (for a crime he had been apprehended for).
It might also mean that Onesimus had made his way to Melita and was living as a free man.
How they met is purely speculation and doesn’t really matter. The fact that they met and that Onesiumus accepted Christ as his Savior…that’s what matters.
It is, however, interesting to think about Paul’s living conditions at the time, though, because in spite of the fact that he was a prisoner in transport, Paul was a bit of a hero in the eyes and minds of the residents of Melita as well as those who had been onboard the ship with him.
Paul’s hero status stemmed from the fact that he had survived being bitten by a highly poisonous snake.
This incident, along with the fact that Paul’s arrest wasn’t for crimes committed against the government, but rather they were trumped up by the Jewish leaders, made it possible for Paul to enjoy a few more liberties—liberties such as preaching the message of the Gospel.
FYI: The account of Paul’s miraculous recovery is found in Acts 28.
Wherever they met or whatever the circumstances, Onesimus became a Christian and was changed from the inside out. Proof that the changes in Onesimus were genuine can be seen in the fact that he was willing to return to Philemon and face the consequences of his actions.
This is quite admirable considering the fact that technically his crime was punishable by death.
Another unknown variable in the story is whether or not Paul knew Philemon prior to befriending Onesimus. What we do know, however, is that Philemon was a Christian and part of the church in Colossae.
So Paul’s letter to Philemon was an appeal from the standpoint of extending the same grace to Onesimus as Christ had extended to Philemon (and the rest of us, too).
The last important piece of information you need to know before looking at the letter itself, is that Onesimus hand-delivered the letter to Philemon. This speaks highly of the genuine nature of Onesimus’ conversion.
It also tells us that by the time they were able to leave the island, Onesimus was a free man.
What We Learn From The Book Of Philemon
We need to be aware of and in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ beyond our local congregation. (1:4-5)
We are to actively share our faith. (1:6)
We are to accept anyone and everyone into our church family who is sincere in their faith and acceptance of Jesus as Savior. (1:10)
People can and do change. (1:11)
God often uses negative or even bad situations and circumstances for his glory. (1:15-16)
As Christians we are to uphold the civil laws of our land, pay our debts and taxes, etc.. (1:18)
We are to show compassion toward others and help those in need of assistance. (1:18)