The Founding of the Philippian Church (~AD 51)

Acts 16 records how Paul and Silas traveled to Philippi and discovered a group of Jews who came to believe in Christ. This was the start of the Philippian Church. Later, they were imprisoned because they had cast out the demon of a slave girl. They were put in jail, but God miraculously freed them in the middle of the night. The jailor was amazed at their faith and he came to Christ as well. 

Outline of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (~AD 61)

Main Theme - Finding Joy in Christ 

I. A Joyful Greeting (1:1-2)

II. Paul’s Joyful Intercession (1:3-11)

III. The Priority of the Gospel for Paul (1:12-26) 

IV. Conduct Worthy of the Gospel: Exhortations and An Example to the Community (1:27-2:18)

V. News About Timothy and Epaphroditus: Two Christ-Like Examples (2:19-30)

VI. Warning Against Judaizers. Following Paul’s Example and Teaching (3:1-21)

VII. Final Exhortations (4:1-9)

VIII. Paul’s Thanks for the Philippians’ Gift (4:10-20)

IX. Final Greetings (4:21-23)

A Timeline of Paul’s Life and Writings 

(Adapted from One Faithful Life by John MacArthur, pg. 504)*

AD 5 - Born an Israelite in Tarsus of Cilicia

AD 15-20 - Attends schools of Gamaliel in Jerusalem

AD 30 - Crucifix and Resurrection of Jesus

AD 32 - Paul Becomes a Pharisee and a Persecutor of the Church

AD 34 - Conversion on the Road to Damascus

AD 37 - Paul’s First Visit to Jerusalem 

AD 44 - James, leader of the Jerusalem church is Martyred

AD 47-48 - Paul’s First Missionary Journey

AD 49 - Jerusalem Council Confirms Paul’s Teaching about Gentiles

AD 49-53 - Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Timothy Joins)

AD 49-51 - Galatians is Written

~AD 51 - The Founding of the Philippian Church 

AD 51 - Paul & Silas Imprisoned in Philippi 

AD 52 - 1 & 2 Thessalonians Written

AD 53 - Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

AD 54 - 1 Corinthians Written

AD 56 - 2 Corinthians Written

AD 56 - Romans Written

AD 57 - Paul is Imprisoned in Caesarea Where He Appeals to Caesar 

AD 59 - Paul is shipwrecked on Malta

AD 60~ - Paul Arrives in Rome and Is Under House Arrest

AD 60 - Philemon is Written (with Timothy) 

AD 61 - Colossians Written

AD 61 - Ephesians Written

~AD 62 - Philippians Written 

AD 62-63~ - Paul is released from House Arrest

AD 62-64 - 1 Timothy and Titus Written

AD 63-65 - Paul’s Final Missionary Travels

AD 64 - Great Fire in Rome, Major Persecution of Christians 

AD 64-66 - 2 Timothy Written

AD 66 - Paul is Imprisoned and Martyred Under Emperor Nero

AD 70 - The Fall of Jerusalem 

* The dates with a tilde (~) were added for this document.