Salvation Summaries

OVERVIEW OF PHILEMON

In this short book of one chapter, Paul asks Philemon, a wealthy Christian businessman, to forgive Onesimus and accept him back not merely as a slave, but as a brother in the Lord.  This book is an example of forgiveness.

SALVATION VERSES

The book of Philemon answers the question of whether Christians should share their faith with others, and whether salvation is a distinct event or a lifelong process.

Should Christians share their faith with others?

Philemon 1:4-6  4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,  5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.  6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

In this book, Paul knows that Philemon is a Christian (vs 5 “…I hear about your faith in the Lord and your love for all the saints”), and encourages him to actively share his faith with others.  Why? There appear to be two reasons.

First, those who hear Philemon talk about his faith may turn to the Lord in repentance and belief, and at some point become a Christian too. We know from other books in the Bible that Paul was active in spreading the Good News, and likely sharing his faith in the process, in order to save others.  In my view, as a believer in the Lord, it is not only our responsibility, but a privilege as well, to share our faith with others.

Second (and this may come as a surprise to some fellow believers), we learn that Philemon will be blessed from doing so.  “You mean, I will be blessed by the Lord, in some way, from simply telling others about my faith?”  Yes. Verse 6 indicates that Philemon would come to “a fuller understanding of every good thing” (blessings) he had in Christ by being a Christian.  How?  I’m speculating here, but I believe that in order to share your faith with others, you first need to perform some personal introspection of your own faith.  What do you believe and why?  What were you like before you were a Christian, and how have you changed?  What do you understand about God’s love and grace, especially if he saved an undeserving sinner (like you)?  After examining your own faith and how God has changed you, you will appreciate God’s love and grace even more, and this will be a blessing to you.

Is there a certain point in time when a person becomes a Christian and thus saved, or is salvation a life-long process? 

This is a debatable issue among Christians.  Some view salvation as a distinct, one-time event.  Others view salvation as a lifelong process, and likely use the verse “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” to support this view.  Still others lump salvation with sanctification (growing in one’s faith) and thus view salvation as a process that is not finished until one is taken up to heaven.  

In Philemon, Paul appears to portray salvation as a one-time event.  This can be seen in verses 10 and 16, which I’ve copied below (note: I’ve shown several versions of verse 10, as the NAS version, which uses the term “begotten” is more difficult to understand).

• Philemon 1:10-11  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. (NAS)

• Philemon 1:10-11  10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.  11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. (NIV)

• Philemon 1:10   10 My plea is that you show kindness to Onesimus. I think of him as my own son because he became a believer as a result of my ministry here in prison. (NLT)

• Philemon 1:15-16   15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good–  16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. (NIV)

In these verses, it is clear that Onesimus was not a believer before he met Paul in prison, but at some point after meeting Paul, he became a believer.  The text does not indicate or state that Onesimus was in process of becoming saved or a believer, but rather “he became a believer” and “a brother in the Lord.” Onesimus’ salvation was a completed event.  Now it’s true that the text does not say how Onesimus became a Christian, but it is reasonable to assume that Paul witnessed to him, as this was Paul’s aim in life – to save others.

Years ago, my brothers were saved at a Promise Keepers event.  Their salvation was at a certain point in time.  Some people at revivals, such as Billy Graham crusades, are also saved at a certain point in time (though I would guess the percentage of people who are actually saved is small, as a number may make an emotional decision but do not become saved).  However, for others, their salvation may not seem to have taken place on any particular day or time of the day, but rather over time (that’s not to say that their salvation did not take place at a certain point in time, but rather, it was not known to them until after a period of time).  For example, my salvation took place during my freshman year in college after being exposed to a campus minister, a friend in the dorm, and a leader in Campus Crusade for Christ.  I don’t recall a specific date when I knew I had become saved, but I do know that sometime during that year I became a Christian, for my life did change.

In future posts I’ll have much more to say about whether salvation is a one-time event or life-long process, so be sure to keep reading them.

CONCLUSION

Christians should be encouraged to share their faith with others.  Why? It may help the “hearer” – whether it’s a relative, friend, a neighbor or a stranger – become saved. But there’s another reason – a likely overlooked one – as to why believers should share their faith, and that is the blessing they will receive from doing so.

In the book of Philemon, Onesimus was saved at a certain point in time; it was a distinct event, rather than a lifelong process.  Other New Testament books will shed more light on this topic.