The GospelsActs of the ApostlesPaul’s LettersOther LettersRevelation

A Walkthru’ of the New TestamentLesson 19: Philemon – The Avatar

GOD REVEALED

Romans – Life Transformation Journey 1 Corinthians - Heaven’s Gold 2 Corinthians – Jars of Clay Galatians – No longer I Ephesians - Pushing Limits Philippians - The Mind of Christ Colossians – Complete Maturity in Christ 1 Thessalonians – Cascading Hope 2 Thessalonians – Confident Hope 1 Timothy - Fighting Fit 2 Timothy – Fearless Faithfulness Titus – Double Grip Philemon – The Avatar

Paul’s Letters

Romans – Life Transformation Journey 1 Corinthians - Heaven’s Gold 2 Corinthians – Jars of Clay Galatians – No longer I Ephesians - Pushing Limits Philippians - The Mind of Christ Colossians – Complete Maturity in Christ 1 Thessalonians – Cascading Hope 2 Thessalonians – Confident Hope 1 Timothy - Fighting Fit 2 Timothy – Fearless Faithfulness

Letters/ Epistles

Titus – Double Grip Philemon – The Avatar Hebrews James – All or nothing 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude

Letters/ Epistles (Cont’d)

EVENT TIMELINE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Introduction Paul’s Role:

◦ Perception of hidden value

◦ Priming into visible value

◦ Paying his debts and cancelling the past

◦ Persuasion that church accepts new leader

The AvatarPresentation Overview

Church’s role◦ Partnership in

utilizing leader Onesimus’s role

◦ Perseverance The Jesus analogy Our Role Discussion

The AvatarPresentation Overview (Cont’d)

Paul writes while under his two years of house arrest in Rome – first imprisonment

While heavily guarded he has faithful team members with him as he strengthens the ministry in various churches

He appears to have the same team as when he wrote the Colossian letter (also sent via Onesimus who was referred as “faithful” and beloved brother”)

The AvatarBackground

Onesimus’ name means profitable; useful Reflects God’s power to restore a useless

person into useful ministry in His Church. [7]

Reflects role of leaders The context may not be clear to us The conclusion is agreed on by most

scholars that he later became an apostle and bishop.

The AvatarSummary

Interestingly, while this letter was written around or after the Colossian letter it is placed after the pastoral epistles.

Was this also viewed as a pastoral epistle? Personally I see the birth and grooming a

leader by leaders – the culminating pastoral epistle.

The AvatarPhilemon:A Pastoral Epistle?

While Timothy and Titus his “true” sons, were long established and trained in the ministry, this new “begotten” son Onesimus appears to be launched, hence the importance of this letter. These then were key next gen. leaders: Timothy, a Jew Titus, a Greek Onesimus, a slave

The AvatarPhilemon:A Pastoral Epistle?

Traditional Interpretation [5] Contemporary Interpretation [5]

Onesimus was a "runaway slave" who fled from his master,

Philemon.

Onesimus, a slave, had encountered Paul possibly even sent by his

master, Philemon.

He fled to Rome and encountered Paul during his house arrest

Philemon may have even sent Onesimus to assist and care for Paul

while he was under house arrest.Under Roman law he could face death for runaway slaves. [3]

Philemon was not Roman and therefore not under Roman law [4]

Paul writes to Philemon out of legal obligation, to ask pardon

after he returned home.

Paul resists even viewing Onesimus as a slave and writes to Philemon

and the church in his house to accept Onesimus as a missionary.

He had also stolen something from his master, Philemon.

He was not a thief, but probably a debt slave.

The AvatarPossible Contexts to the letter

Considering both view points (though I am tilted to the second due to reasons in the following slides and notes): Paul has not stated history, and The bible is complete in itselfWhat lessons can we derive given either of the views may be true?

The AvatarIntroduction

Paul brings out the best in Onesimus by: Perception of hidden value Priming into visible value Paying his debts and cancelling the past

Persuading church to accept him. accept new leader

The AvatarIntroduction

10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

Paul’s RolePerception of Hidden values

12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;16 no longer as a slave..

Paul’s RolePriming into visible value

18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 

Paul’s Role:Paying his debts, cancelling the past

Paul’s RolePersuading Church to accept new leader

To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, 2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:…

Paul’s RolePersuading Church to accept new leader

15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother.. in the Lord. 17 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.

17 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.

Church’s Role: Partnership in utilizing new leader

Onesimus donned the leader’s garb, slipped into his new shoes and never turned back.

Onesimus’s RolePerseverence

Onesimus the slave was no more Onesimus the son was born

The Avatar

The same story continues today Perception– Jesus sees our worth Priming – Jesus prepares us Paying debts – Jesus has cancelled our past Persuasion – Jesus will create acceptance Partnership of church – Jesus will use us to

reach heights we will never otherwise know

The AvatarThe Jesus Analogy

What about us? Are we confident enough in Christ to be the

amazing person he wants us to be? Are we running away from our past rather

than facing it and overcoming it? Or are we persevering to the end like

Onesimus did?

The AvatarOur Role

Paul’s Role Perception Priming Paying debts PersuasionChurch’s Role PartnershipOnesimus’ s Role Perseverence

The AvatarRecap

What strikes you on the leaders’ role in the great transformation of Onesimus?

Why is there shortage of leaders in the church? What can we do?

How can we see with the eyes of Jesus and help a useless person to become useful? How do we ensure it’s the right person?

How can we develop our own worth to achieve heights for Jesus? Share what steps you would like to take to accomplish this.

The AvatarDiscussion

Traditional records mention that: Saint Onesimus also called Onesimus of

Byzantium and The Holy Apostle Onesimus, was a slave to Philemon of Colossae, a man of Christian faith.[1]

May be the same Onesimus named by Ignatius of Antioch as Bishop in Ephesus[2][9]. Also known by some as Bishop of Byzantium[8].

The AvatarReferences:Bond-slave to…Bishop?

He is venerated in:◦ Roman Catholic Church◦ Eastern Orthodox Church◦ Lutheranism

A Feast in his memory is celebrated on February 15 or 16, or November 22 (Gregorian calendar), February 28 (Julian calendar)

The AvatarReferences:Bond-slave to … Bishop?

1. ”Onesimus". Ecumenic Patriarchate of Constantinople. Retrieved Apr 2, 2011.2. The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians3. http://www.biblica.com/en-us/bible/online-bible/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-philemon/4.https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Phlm/Philemons-Relationship5. http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Paul-Philemon.htm6. The holy apostle Onesimus - http://www.serb ianorthodoxchurch.net/7. http://zionteacher.org/archives/6338. Wikipedia9. http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/phm-lbw.htm

The AvatarReferences