Introduction
We are beginning a new series entitles ‘Prison Prayers of the Apostle Paul’ where we will be dissecting some of the prayers that Paul prayed over the believers he was writing to. I believe these prayers were written by extension to us to today as much as it was written for the believers of that day. I also believe that these prayers, if lived, will enhance our walk with Jesus and our relationships with others. Today we will be doing an overview of the prison epistles.
Introduction Outline:
1.
Paul’s
Imprisonment
2.
Events leading up
to the writing of the Prison Epistles
3.
Background of the
Epistles
4. Takeaways
Paul’s Imprisonment
In order to rightly discuss the imprisonment that led to the writing of the prison epistles, we must first identify which imprisonment we are referring to. Paul was recorded as being put in prison three separate times.
1.
Philippi ~ Acts 16 (AD 49)
2.
Jerusalem,
Caesarea, Rome ~ Acts 21-28 (AD 57-62)
3. Rome ~ 2 Timothy 4:6-7,16 (AD 66-68)
Events leading up to the writing of the Prison
Epistles
Paul’s imprisonment began in Jerusalem. He was on his way to provide support for the church in Jerusalem. While there he was spotted by some Jews from Asia Minor who were enemies of Paul. They made a scene and accused him of defiling the temple. The angry Jewish mob were about to kill Paul but the Roman guard saves him. The guard allows Paul to address the temple, but it only makes them even angrier. The Bible says the mob was “ready to tear him to pieces” when the Roman guard stepped in to save him a second time.
After this, Paul was transferred into the custody of Governor Felix in Caesarea. The court hears his case and yet no fault was found against Paul. You would think Paul would be set free, correct? Unfortunately, Governor Felix was a corrupt politician and kept Paul detained with the hope of Paul paying him some money for his freedom. Ultimately, Paul remains imprisoned in Caesarea for another 2 years. It was about that time when Governor Felix was replaced by Governor Festus. Festus considers having Paul retried back in Jerusalem, but Paul knew this was an idea that was brought up from his enemies who were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Therefore, Paul declines and appeals to Caesar instead.
• Acts 23:11 - “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.”
After appearing before King Agrippa, Paul is placed in
the custody of the Roman officer Julius and set sail from Caesarea, toward
Rome. On their journey they made stops along the way. Leaving Israel, they made
stops in:
•
Syria (Sidon)
•
Turkey (Myra,
Cnidus)
•
Crete (island)
•
Malta
•
Sicily (island)
• Italy
Many things happen along he way, along with a two week long storm that leads to them shipwrecking on the coast of Malta. After eventually landing in Italy, they arrive in Somewhere Paul was received by the Praetorian Guard. He was then placed him on house arrest where he would be able to have people visit him and was able to preach the gospel freely. He shared the good news with Jews, gentiles, and even Roman soldiers. He penetrated the walls of the Imperial Roman Empire and boldly proclaimed the good news, and no one tried to stop him. It was here that Paul, while on house arrest, wrote the letters of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Background of the Prison Epistles
Themes of Epistles:
Ephesians - Unity
•
The Body of
Christ
Philippians - Encouragement
•
Joy in Christ
(18x)
•
The gospel (9x)
Colossians - In Christ
•
Lordship of
Christ
Philemon - Reconciliation
• Brotherhood of believers
Delivery of Epistles:
Ephesians - Tychicus, Onesimus
Philippians - Epaphroditus (Got sick while in Rome, which delayed it’s delivery)
Colossians
- Tychicus, Onesimus
Philemon - Tychicus, Onesimus
Takeaways from the Prison Epistles:
1.
Paul’s
commitment to prayer
i. Paul began all of his letters from prison in prayer
ii.He
mentions how often he remembers them in prayer; Paul was always in prayer for
them
2.
Paul’s
commitment to the Church
3.
Paul’s
commitment to the Gospel
i. Each letter was written from the confinement of prison
ii.Each
letter was written out of love for the church
iii.
Each letter was
written to defend & preserve the Gospel
4.
Paul’s
commitment to God’s plan
i. Paul embraced God’s plan for his life
a)
Although it led
him to be imprisoned
ii.Let
us embrace God’s plan for our life
a)
God’s ultimate
plan
b)
God’s plan for
your life
