I am interested in understanding how comprehensively the letter to the Philippians covers Christian doctrine. Specifically what I have in mind is the following scenario; if the book of Philippians was the only book in the Bible, how would I understand Christian life and doctrine.
Over the next few days I plan on looking at the different doctrines of the Christian faith. Today I concentrate on the doctrine of God though I will include in that the doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
From 1:2 we learn that God is our “Father'” and Jesus Christ is our Lord
From 1:19 we learn that God hears and answers prayer with the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ
From 1:29 we learn that God grants belief to his church but surprisingly also grants the opportunity to suffer for the sake of Christ
The passage from 2:5 through 2:11 is perhaps the most detailed description of Jesus’ role that we have in the Bible. From it we learn the following:
- Jesus was in the form of God
- Jesus did not count equality with God something to be grasped
- Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a servant
- Jesus was born in the likeness of men
- as a man Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross
- as a result God has exalted Jesus
- God has given Jesus the name that is above every name
- at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven on earth and beneath the earth
- at the name of Jesus every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
- this is all done to the glory of God the Father
From 2:13 we learn that it is God who works in believers to both will and to work for his good pleasure
In 2:14 we learn that God considers believers to be his children
In 2:27 we learn that mercy is an attribute of God
In 3:3 we learn that the Spirit of God enables believers to worship
In 3:9 we learn that righteousness comes from God
In 3:10 we lean that Christ suffered, died and was resurrected
In 3:12 we learn that Christ Jesus makes us his own
In 3:14 we learn that God calls us in Christ Jesus
In 3:20 we learn that the Lord Jesus Christ is a Saviour from the destruction due the enemies of the cross of Christ
In 3:21 we learn that Jesus has a body presently and that it is a glorious body
In 3:21 we learn as well that Jesus has a power that enables him to subject all things to himself
In 4:5 we learn that the ‘Lord is at hand’
In 4:6 we learn that God desires his people to present their requests to him through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
In 4:7 we learn that God gives peace
In 4:7 we also learn that God guards hearts and minds in Christ Jesus
In 4:9 we learn that God is a God of peace
In 4:9 we also learn that God is present with believers if they practice the things they have leaned
In 4:13 we lean that God strengthens his people and enables them to be content in every situation
In 4:19 we learn that God supplies the needs of his people according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus
In 4:20 we learn that God the Father is to be ascribed glory forever and ever
In 4:23 we learn that Jesus bestows grace
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