A number of brethren have expressed a desire for such a Fellowship Meeting as was once almost an annual event in Rockford. Thus, the Landmark MBC, of Rockford, Illinois, has scheduled a time of fellowship on November 26-27, 1987.
    It is our earnest prayer that this will prove to be such a time of SPIRITUAL SHARING as will truly strengthen the Brotherhood - while bringing glory to Him Who is the Head and High Priest over the House of God. 
    Plan now to SHARE OUR BLESSINGS!


    In connection with our Fellowship Meeting, Landmark MBC has voted to ordain Bro. Jonathan Hanes to the full work of the Gospel Ministry. Brother Jon is dearly loved by the membership of Landmark, and has shown consistent growth and development in his ministry since yielding to the call of God.
    This service is scheduled for the Evening of Thanksgiving Day. EG
    "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest"; (Matt. 9:38).

STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS


    "Paul and Timothy". This does NOT suggest the idea of co-authorship; regard it, rather, as the sharing of a Christian greeting. Timothy, whom Paul regarded as his beloved SON in the ministry, had accompanied Paul at the time this church was established, (Acts 16:1-12). Later, at Paul's request, he had visited them, (Acts 19:21-22). And he had accompanied Paul on a still later visit to Philippi, (Acts 20:4).
    "Servants of Jesus Christ", (Rom 1:1; Gal. 1:10). "Dulos" is the most common word for "servant" to be found in the New Testament. Though its basic meaning is "bond-servant", it does not necessarily suggest the idea of BONDAGE. Paul JOYFULLY acknowledge himself the "dulos" of Jesus Christ - whom he had met on the Damascus Road.
    Paul's identity of himself in this letter is quite a contrast to that used in the letters addressed to the Galatians and Corinthians. In those churches his apostolic authority was being questioned; thus, his emphatic assertion of that authority, (Gal. 1:1; I Cor. 9:1). Between Paul and the

saints at Philippi there existed a wonderful fellowship of love. So, he here identifies himself as a fellow-servant, with them, of the wonderful Lord to whom they all belonged, (Acts 27:23).
    Both references to our Lord, in verse 1, are rendered "Christ Jesus" in the ASV. But, in Romans 1:1, he identifies himself as a "servant of Jesus Christ". The different order in which Paul places those terms appears to harmonize with the content and purpose of the separate letters. The Roman letter is an authoritative exposition of the Gospel in the name of the Saviour who suffered in order that there might BE a Gospel to proclaim, but who is NOW risen and enthroned at the Father's right hand. Though the letter to Philippi is no less-authoritative, it is designed to acknowledge the fellowship of his brethren in service, and to encourage such humility of mind as characterized Him who "emp-

    It is a real joy to welcome Bro. Edward Gilbreath into our body upon the profession of faith and his submission to baptism. May the Lord richly bless you, Brother Ed, and make you a mighty witness of His saving grace to others. E.G.

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tied Himself" that He might serve all!
    Thus, the term "Christ Jesus" appears to suggest the EXALTED ONE who emptied Himself (Phil. 2:5), and bears witness to His pre-existence before the lowly birth in Bethlehem. "Jesus Christ", then, describes the despised and rejected one who was afterward GLORIFIED (2:11), and bears witness to His resurrection. The first is suggestive of His GRACE; the second of His GLORY.
    Those who had walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry invariably referred to Him as "Jesus Christ"; this was according to the order of their EXPERIENCE. AT first He was simply "Jesus"; following His resurrection they finally grasped the true significance of His true Messiahship - recognizing Him as "the Christ". But Paul's experience had been just the opposite of this. He first came to know the Lord in the radiance of that heavenly glory by which He was stricken on the Damascus Road, (Acts 9:1-6); thus, his frequent reference to Him as "Christ Jesus". Its only usage in the New Testament, apart from Paul's writing, is in Acts 24:24 where Luke refers to Paul's declaring "the faith IN CHRIST JESUS" before Felix and Drusilla.

    "To all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philipp", (2 Cor. 1:1; Col. 1:2).
    In this address Paul departs from his normal practice of addressing a SPECIFIC CHURCH in a specific locality. As Hogg and Vine point out, the superscription in I Corinthians 1:2 harmonizes a diversity of appellations by making the one a DEFINITION of the other; the church of God, at Corinth, was COMPOSED OF those who were "sanctified in Christ Jesus" and who were "saints" by the calling of God, and who made a practice of calling on the name of the Lord.
    Let it be understood that NO ONE is designated a "saint", in the scriptures, apart from GOD'S COVENANT COMMUNITY; that was limited to Israel in the Old Testament, and refers ONLY to members of the Lord's churches in the New, (Rom. 1:7). NO ONE can truly be regarded as sanctified, holy and dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ who REJECTS HIS ORDER for the maturing of their spiritual lives! (Acts 9:13; 26:10; 8:3; I Cor. 15:9).
    Thus, we may conclude that this letter is really addressed to THE CHURCH that Paul himself had, by the grace of God, led in establishing at Philippi.
    "With the Bishops and Deacons" - those who hold specific offices within the church. Paul's mention of them is to acknowledge and commend the status of their work within the body.
    BISHOP (episkopos) "overseer". This term is used to describe the Lord's CARE of His people I Pet.

2:25). Elsewhere it is used of brethren whose gifts, experience and calling qualify them to be leaders, examples and guardians of the Lord's "little flock", (Acts 20:28; I Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:7).
    Bishops were made, such by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28; comp. I Cor. 12); their qualifications are set forth in I Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:5-9. An alternative title for the office is "elder" (Gk. "presbuteros"), (Acts 20:17, 28; Tit. 1:5-5; I Pet. 5:1-2). As the Gospel was preached among the Gentiles, and the number of churches multiplied, the Holy Spirit appointed elders through the instrumentality of the apostles and their fellow-laborers, (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5).
    Bishops were to be treated with such respect as is due men divinely charged with responsible spiritual functions - knowing that they watch for the welfare of men's souls, (I Thes. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:7, 17; I Tim. 5:17). The stress of this "rule" is to be placed on EXAMPLE rather than on AUTHORITY. It is not meant to suggest a "big stick", but a HOLY LIFE; this constitutes a proper "rule". The same idea is prominent in the word "pastor". The oriental shepherd LEADS his sheep rather than attempting to DRIVE them!
    "Deacons" are such servants of the church as are described in Acts 6:1-7 and I Timothy 3:8-13.
    "Grace to you!" - a desire to have them receive the unmerited FAVOR of God.
    "and Peace" - such harmony as exists between God and those who

have truly been RECONCILED to Him through the death of His dear Son, (Rom. 5:11). Paul's desire is that His brethren may know the fulness of both God's GRACE and PEACE! They come as a free gift "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ".



    Our God is a full, free and overflowing Fountain of goodness which flows to us through the channel of His dear Son. All of us are, by nature, foolish, ignorant and blind in things pertaining to God and to the happiness of our own souls, (I Cor. 3:19); but our deficiency is made up IN CHRIST.

    He is our WISDOM; in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (Col. 2:3).
    He is our RIGHTEOUSNESS - bestowing upon us the positive qualities of His own goodness and uprightness, (Jer. 23:6; 2 Cor. 5:21).
    Though we are, by nature, depraved and corrupt, He is made our SANCTIFICATION - the source of our spiritual life, (I Cor. 1:2; 6:11).
    And though, by nature and practice, we are bound by cords of sin, He is made unto us REDEMPTION - our Saviour and Deliverer, (Eph. 1:7, 14). He cleanses us from sin's defilement; having borne in His own body the weight of our GUILT, He liberates us from its bondage and condemnation. And He gives assurance of ultimate deliverance from its very PRESENCE.
    To really KNOW CHRIST is to make Him our consolation, our delight, our daily Companion; Christ-likeness will be our highest desire.


    An Independent Baptist Commentary, Edited by Dr. Albert Garner, has recently been published by BLESSED HOPE FOUNDATION, of Lakeland, Fla.
    This 23-volume (hard bound set) is true to the concept of local church, verbal inspiration and pre-millennial return of our Lord.