We will look at Paul's letter to "Philemon" beginning at Verse 8
Then (if the Lord waits) we'll move on to the letter to the "Colossians", "Ephesians" and
"Philippians."

All these letters were written and sent by Paul while under house arrest in Rome awaiting
his first trial before Nero.

Is God’s Word just an interesting story book?

Should I take God's Word:

LITERALLY:  Can God actually say what He means?
SERIOUSLY:  Does God really mean what He says?
SYMBOLICALLY:
Is there a deeper meaning and wider application to what God said?

What do I do about what God says in His Word ??

Do I simply explain it away, interpreting it to suit my life style and beliefs?
Do I just ignore it excusing myself with “I don’t understand…”?
- or -
Do I adjust my life and beliefs based on what God’s Word said
by changing how I think, speak, and act?

Don't use scripture to prove YOUR theory.
Rather, use scripture to TEST your theory.

Search God's word with an open mind and
learn what God HAS TO SAY about the subject.
Look up and determine what each scripture says for yourself.
2 Tim 2:15
1 Thes 5:21
Acts 17:11
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notes.
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Some notes presented are based on or excerpted from Donald
G Barnhouse's, William Barclay's, Ray Steadman's and/or
Chuck Missler's commentaries & notes.   See the Christian
Book Distributors' and 'Koininia House' links on the Links page
to purchase a personal copy.    They are well worth the price.

Note: The positions and info presented represents the current
scripturally based  view  and understanding of the study leader -
who is himself still a work in progress.   These views may or
may not represent or align with the stated formal positions of  
Bethel Church of the Nazarene or Nazarene churches as a
denomination.   (Although, if they don't, I think they should or I
wouldn't have presented them ....)
For You have magnified Your word above Your name - Ps 138:2
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It is provided in conjunction with the Adult Bible Study meeting at Bethel Nazarene Church in Macomb Township, Michigan.
At my sole discretion, I will post or refuse to post information to this page.
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correct Biblically based religious practices, positions and directives and/or the free unhindered practice of religion.

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U.S Constitution and Amendment 1, 4, 5, 9 14
Next Meeting:  Sunday,  FEB 26  9:45-10:45 AM
  • Believe = Agreement with / Convinced of
  • Faith = Confidence In
    Fear is faith in the wrong thing, which is why faith and fear cannot
    coexist.
  • Gentleness = Acting harmlessly
  • Glorified = Exalted honor
  • Grace = Undeserved favor
  • Holy = Right conduct / Completely Committed
  • Hope = Expected outcome / Expectation of
    What I believe about tomorrow that determines my actions today...
  • Joy = Bringing pleasure
  • Justice = Receiving due
  • Justified = Fully paid / Nothing Owed
  • Kindness = Merciful graciousness
  • Long Suffering = Persistent performance
    Standing firm, finishing the race unmoved
  • Love = Sacrificing Self
    Seeking the best for another at my own expense.   
  • Lust = Me First
    Seeking my own interests at the expense of others.
Adult
. Bible
.   Studies
_
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Meeting at Bethel Church of the Nazarene
51850 North Ave,  Macomb Township, MI 48042     (586) 598-8555
-BC / AD              (Some dates are not agreed upon by all commentators)
  • -8    The Census Decree of CAESAR AUGUSTUS.
  • -6    The Annunciation to MARY in Nazareth.  
    JOHN THE BAPTIST was born about September to
    ZACHARIAS and ELISABETH.  
    Judea became a sub-province of Syria.  
  • -5    Our LORD, JESUS the CHRIST was born in Bethlehem
    about April.
  • -4    Wise Men from the East sought the child JESUS.
    HEROD THE GREAT killed the children of Bethlehem and
    executed his son ANTIPATER a few days before he died in
    March at Jericho.   
    He was succeeded by HEROD ANTIPAS in Galilee.  
    HEROD ARCHAELAUS ruled Judea.  
    HEROD PHILIP ruled Iturea.
  • 8     JESUS, age 12, was at the Temple in Jerusalem.
  • 10   SAUL (PAUL the Apostle) was born in Tarsus.
  • 17   Major earthquake in Asia Minor.
  • 25   JOHN THE BAPTIST began his ministry.  
    JESUS was baptized in the Jordan River by JOHN.
  • 26   JESUS began His Galilean ministry.  
    HEROD'S Temple in Jerusalem was completed.  
    PONTIUS PILATE was appointed procurator of Judea.
  • 27   JESUS began His Judean ministry.  
    JOHN THE BAPTIST was beheaded by HEROD.
  • 29   JESUS was crucified, buried and resurrected in April
    (Passover).
    Jesus ascended in May, 40 days later .  
    In June, 10 days following Jesus ascension, the Holy
    Spirit came upon and into Jesus followers (Pentecost)
    JUDAS ISCARIOT, who had betrayed JESUS for 30 pieces of
    silver, hanged himself and falling headlong, he burst asunder in
    the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.  
    PHILIP traveled to Scythia in southern Russia where he
    ministered for 20 years.
  • 30   JAMES, son of ZEBEDEE, traveled to Spain where he
    established churches.  
  • 33   The Church at Jerusalem held a leading position in the Christian
    community.
    SIMON PETER went to Antioch, established a church and stayed
    there for 7 years.
  • 36   STEPHEN was stoned to death, becoming the first Christian
    martyr.  
    SAUL (PAUL the Apostle) was converted on the road to
    Damascus.
  • 37   PAUL was at Damascus.  FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS was born.
    MATTHEW wrote his gospel.  Some date this later around
    50AD (We favor this early date.)
  • 38   PAUL fled from Damascus, went to Jerusalem, then to Tarsus.
  • 44   PAUL was at Antioch. The disciples of Christ were first called
    "Christians" at Antioch.  
    SIMON PETER went to Caesarea from Joppa and CORNELIUS
    was converted.  
    JAMES, son of ZEBEDEE, was beheaded by HEROD
    ANTIPAS.  
    HEROD AGRIPPA I died, eaten of worms, at age 54.
  • 45   PAUL, BARNABAS and JOHN MARK visited Jerusalem from
    Antioch.  
    JAMES wrote his epistle.   MATTHEW went to Persia.
  • 46   PAUL was at Antioch.
  • 48   PAUL and BARNABAS began their first missionary journey.
  • 49   THOMAS, JUDE and BARTHOLOMEW went to India where they
    ministered in Nisibis, Malebar, Socotora,
    Camboia and Mogar.   They even went to Cataio, Bisnaga and
    China.
  • 50   PAUL and BARNABAS attended the Council at Jerusalem.  
  • 51   PAUL and SILAS began a second missionary journey.  
    PAUL met the Gentile physician, LUKE at Troas.  
    BARNABAS and JOHN MARK ministered in Syria and Cilicia.
  • 52   PAUL wrote "First Thessalonians" from Corinth.  
    THOMAS was killed in Cranganore, India by Brahmin priests who
    knocked him to the ground and stuck him through with a lance.  
    GAMALIEL the Pharisee died.  
    CLAUDIUS expelled the Jews from Rome.
  • 53   PAUL wrote "Second Thessalonians" from Corinth.
  • 54   PAUL and SILAS began a third missionary journey.  
    PHILIP, age 87, having ministered in France, was pierced
    through the thighs and hung upside down on a cross until he died
    at Heliopolis in Phrygia..
  • 55   PAUL was at Ephesus.  (The revolt of the Egyptian, Acts 21:38)
  • 56   PAUL ministered at Ephesus.
  • 57   PAUL wrote "First Corinthians" from Ephesus,
    "Second Corinthians" from Macedonia, and
    "Galatians" from Corinth.
  • 58   PAUL wrote "Romans" from Corinth.
    PAUL was arrested at Jerusalem and sent to Caesarea.
  • 59   PAUL was tried before ANTONIUS FELIX at Caesarea.
  • 60   PAUL was tried before FESTUS in Caesarea.  
    PAUL, sent as a prisoner to Rome, was shipwrecked on Malta.  
    LUKE wrote his gospel.  
    After having ministered in Persia, Egypt and Ethiopia,
    MATTHEW was slain in Egypt.  
    SIMON ZELOTES returned to Britain after having ministered
    through Egypt, Cyrene, North Africa, Carthage, Martonia, Lybia
    and Spain.
  • 60-61    PAUL arrived at Rome.  
    LUKE wrote "Acts".
  • ~60-62   PAUL, at Rome, wrote "Philemon", "Colossians",
    "Ephesians" and "Philippians."
    It was during this period that a major earthquake
    destroyed Colossai and the surrounding cities and
    area again.
  • 62    ANANUS was made High Priest and had JAMES, brother of
    Jesus, cast from a pinnacle of the Temple, showered with stones
           and finally his skull smashed and his brains beaten out with a fuller's
club. He was buried on the Mount of Olives.
  • 63   PAUL was released from prison at Rome and went to Macedonia
    and Asia Minor,
    Paul wrote "First Timothy" from Macedonia and "Titus"
    from Ephesus.
  • 64   PAUL visited Spain.  
    PETER wrote "First Peter" from Babylon.  
    After having ministered with ANDREW in Armenia, MATTHIAS,
    the apostle who took JUDAS' place, returned to Jerusalem where
    he was stoned and beheaded.  
    A great fire burned Rome on July 19th.  
    NERO persecuted the Christians.
  • 65   PAUL was in Spain and Britain.  JOHN MARK wrote his gospel.
  • 66   PAUL traveled from Spain to Asia Minor.  
    Masada on the Dead Sea was captured by the Jews.  
    VESPASIAN and his son TITUS led the Roman armies in Judea.
  • 67   PETER wrote "Second Peter" and was crucified by NERO.  
    JOHN MARK went to Venice and to Alexandria, Egypt, where he
    founded a church.
  • 68   HEBREWS was written, probably by PAUL.  
    PAUL was imprisoned in Rome and wrote "Second
    Timothy" shortly before he was beheaded in May by NERO.  
    JOHN MARK was dragged to death through the streets of
    Alexandria, Egypt on Easter.  
    LAZARUS of Bethany ministered in Citium in Cyprus for 30
    years, then traveled to Marseilles in Gaul where he spent 7 more
    years and also visited Britain. He retired to Cyprus where he died
    (again).  
    BARTHOLOMEW, after having ministered in India with THOMAS
    and JUDE and with PHILIP at Hierapolis, died after being beaten
    with clubs, flayed alive and crucified in Armenia by the priests of
    Albanus, led by ASTYAGES, the king's brother.  
    JUDE wrote his epistle.  
    VESPASIAN attacked Jerusalem.  
    JOSEPHUS wrote his "History of the Jewish War."
  • 69   POLYCARP was born.  
    After having ministered in the foothills of the Caucasis mountains,
    to the Scythians in South Russia around the Black Sea,
    establishing churches in Scythia, Byzantium, Greece, Thrace,
    Macedonia and Patros, ANDREW was crucified at Achaia on a
    cross in the form of an "X", hanging there for three days before
    he died on the last day of November.  
    LUKE, who had been ministering with ANDREW, was crucified
    at Patros, Greece by being hanged on an olive tree by the
    idolatrous priests.
  • 70   VESPASIAN arrived at Rome.  
    TITUS, his son, with 80,000 men, captured and destroyed
    Jerusalem in August. 700 Jewish prisoners were taken to Rome.
  • 72   After ministering in Syria, Edessa and northern Persia, JUDE
    (THADDAEUS) was killed with a halberd at Edessa
    and was buried at Kara Kelesia.  
    SIMON ZELOTES was sawn asunder in Persia.
  • 73   BARNABAS was killed by the Jews in Salamis on Cyprus.
  • 74   MASADA fell to the Romans on April 15th.
  • 76   JOSEPH of Ariamathea died in Britain and was buried at
    Glastonbury..
  • 79   Mt. Vesuvius erupted, destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum.
  • 80   Rome was burned again.
  • 85   JOHN wrote his Gospel.
  • 90   JOHN wrote I John, II John and III John.  
  • 94   Roman persecution of Jewish and Christians.  
    Josephus' "Antiquities" was published.
  • 95   JOHN was banished from Ephesus to Patmos by DOMITIAN
    where he wrote "Revelation".  
    During his banishment, TIMOTHY ministered at Ephesus.
  • 96   JOHN was released from exile on Patmos by NERVA and
    returned to Ephesus.  
  • 97   TIMOTHY reproved the pagans of Ephesus for their idolatry. They
    fell upon him with clubs and beat him.
    He died 2 days later from the beating.  
    JOHN the Apostle died at Ephesus on September 26th.
  • Mercy = Pardon granted
  • Obedience = Opportunity taken
  • Patience = Unwavering consistency
  • Peace = Fearless contentment
  • Perfect = Complete / Whole / Nothing missing
  • Praise = Extolled God's deeds / character to others
  • Priority = The thing that I talk/think about most
  • Promise = Guaranteed result
  • Prophecy = History future / Promise given
  • Righteous = Without blame / Been Accepted
  • Sanctified = Separated For
  • Self Control = Measure response
  • Selfishness = Personal pride / Me first
  • Sin = Missed Mark / Falling short / Unattained Potential
  • Success = Assignment completed
  • Treasure = What I won't surrender or give up
  • Trust = Dependence upon
    Yielding control to another
  • Truth = Always so / Something unchangeable
  • Wish = Desired Outcome
  • Worship = Extolled God's character / deeds to God Himself
Philemon 1

1  From: Paul, a prisoner of the Messiah Jesus, and Timothy our
brother.

To: Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2  to Apphia our
sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your
house.

3  May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus,
the Messiah, be yours!

4  I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, 5  
because I keep hearing about your love for all the saints and the
faith that you have in the Lord Jesus.

6  I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as
you fully acknowledge every blessing that is ours in the Messiah.

7  For I have received considerable joy and encouragement from
your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed,
brother, through you.

8  For this reason, although in the Messiah I have complete
freedom to order you to do what is proper, 9  I prefer to make my
appeal on the basis of love.

I, Paul, as an old man and now a prisoner of the Messiah Jesus, 10  
appeal to you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have
become during my imprisonment.

11  Once he was useless to you, but now he is very useful both to
you and to me.  

12  As I send him back, it's like I'm coming along with him.

13  I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your
place during my imprisonment for the gospel.  

14  Yet I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that
your good deed might not be something forced, but voluntary.

15  Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so
that you could have him back forever, 16  no longer as a slave but
better than a slave — as a dear brother, especially to me, but even
more so to you, both as a person and as a believer.

17  So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would
welcome me.

18  If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything,
charge it to my account.

19  I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. (I will
not mention to you that you owe me your very life.)

20  Yes, brother, I desire this favor from you in the Lord. Refresh
my heart in the Messiah!

21  Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you because I
know that you will do even more than I ask.

22  Meanwhile, prepare a guest room for me, too, for I am hoping
through your prayers to be returned to you.

23  Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in the Messiah Jesus, sends you
greetings, 24  as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow
workers.

25  May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be with your
spirit! Amen.