Posted: 9/25/03

Joseph Fiennes, who plays Martin Luther in the new movie about the Reformation leader, posts his 95 Theses on the Wittenburg church door (left) and watches preparation for a scene during filming. The movie was backed by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Striking a balance in 'Luther' movie wasn't easy

By Ted Parks

Associated Baptist Press

LOS ANGELES (ABP)–It starts with a young German law student belly-down on the ground begging God to save him from a lightning storm. It ends with the spiritual, cultural and political transformation of Europe.

In between comes the tumultuous life of religious reformer Martin Luther, whose story is the focus of a new movie starring Joseph Fiennes and Peter Ustinov.

Partially funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a large Lutheran financial management and support organization, the bio-pic "Luther" tells about the religious leader's role as catalyst for the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. The movie opened in theaters Sept. 26.

The movie opens with the young Luther, played by Fiennes beneath a violent sky, cutting a deal with heaven to save his life. But even after becoming a monk, Luther cannot find peace with God.

"I live in terror of judgment," Luther tells his mentor in the Augustinian religious order, Father Johann von Staupitz (played by Bruno Ganz). The order sends him to pursue a degree in theology, hoping the young monk finds the answers he's searching for in advanced study.

As Luther struggles at the university to understand history, tradition and Scripture, he changes his views. Sent to Wittenburg to teach in that city's university and serve as priest, Luther calls his parishioners to trust God's mercy rather than cower before God's wrath.

"Those who see God as angry do not see him rightly," he proclaims. "To see God in faith is to look upon his friendly heart."

Meanwhile at the Vatican, in order to build St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the pope has authorized the sale of indulgences, documents granting purchasers release from divine punishment. The film portrays indulgence-seller John Tetzel (Albert Molina) as a manipulative marketeer of divine mercy for a price.

When Tetzel's preaching impacts the people of Luther's own parish, the monk reacts by drafting his famous "95 Theses." After Luther nails the document to the church door in Wittenburg, the reformer's ideas spread across Germany like wildfire, the flames fanned by the recent invention of the printing press.

In the film, Luther's ideas put him in conflict with church and state, forcing him to seek refuge from the friendly German prince Frederick the Wise, played by Ustinov. Summoned before the political and religious leadership, Luther refuses to recant his ideas.

"My conscience is captive to the word of God," he says before uttering the now-famous line from church history: "Here I stand. I can do no other."

The new film was the dream of Thrivent Financial, according to Dennis Clauss, Thrivent corporate projects leader and executive producer.

When the Aid Association for Lutherans, an organization that later merged into Thrivent, wanted to celebrate its 100th birthday, some leaders suggested a movie honoring Luther. Thrivent then entered into an agreement with Neue Filmproduktion in Berlin, Germany, to produce the film. The Lutheran organization contributed slightly less than a third of the film's financing, Clauss said, estimating the final costs of production and distribution to be between $30 million and $35 million.

The producers' aim was not a religious niche film but a movie about a major historical figure that would have broad audience appeal, Clauss explained.

"A religious-specialty film (is) the kiss of death," Clauss said. The makers of "Luther" wanted "to remain true to the integrity of the story and the person and the message," while avoiding the stereotypes of a made-for-Christians movie, he added.

But striking the balance wasn't easy, Clauss acknowledged, calling the process "a very, very difficult tightrope."

The film's portrayal of Luther as always triumphing over his religious foes is troubling to Barbara Nicholosi, a Roman Catholic and the director of Act One: Writing for Hollywood, an organization helping Christian screenwriters sharpen their skills.

Rather than showing Luther as a human being with a full range of strengths and weaknesses, Nicholosi says the moviemakers heroized him.

"They had to … get rid of all his rough edges," Nicholosi said. She called the film a "missed opportunity" to say something about the universal themes in Luther's life by allowing his life, in all its complexity, to speak for itself.

Luther scholar Guy Erwin, professor of religion and history at California Lutheran University near Los Angeles, pointed out that Luther himself had moments of doubt as he wrestled with the momentous changes cascading around him. At the end of his life, Erwin added, Luther felt "thoroughly disillusioned" as he watched the message he thought would liberate believers fall prey to strife and bloodshed.

For Erwin, a far-reaching message in Luther's work is his defense of the freedom of individuals to make their own moral decisions. The reformer's contribution to history was the conviction that "the last arbiter of right is one's own conscience," Erwin explained.

In Hollywood terms, Luther could even be seen as a "Jimmy Stewart-like character," the professor said–"a person standing up and calling the system wrong."

Posted: 10/3/03

Executive Board elects Ogletree
and OKs NAMB cooperative agreement

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

DALLAS–The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board elected its first African-American chairman Sept. 30 and ratified a revised cooperative agreement with the North American Mission Board.

John Ogletree, pastor of First Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston, was elected board chairman by acclamation, succeeding Brian Harbour, pastor of First Baptist Church of Richardson. Ogletree has served as vice chairman of the Executive Board the last two years.

BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade (right) congratulates outgoing Executive Board Chairman Brian Harbour (center), pastor of First Baptist Church of Richardson, and incoming Chairman John Ogletree, pastor of First Metropolitan Baptist Church of Houston, who has served as vice chairman the past two years. (Ferrell Foster/BGCT Photo)

Wesley Shotwell, pastor of Ash Creek Baptist Church in Azle, was elected vice chairman by acclamation.

The cooperative agreement with the Southern Baptist Convention's NAMB has been a point of contention for more than a year. Previous language in the document has been rejected or amended by both the Executive Board and NAMB trustees.

The document spells out how the state convention and the national mission board will work together on missions projects and personnel funding in Texas.

Executive Board members previously had objected to language about NAMB's requirement that jointly funded missions personnel must affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message, an SBC doctrinal statement rejected by the BGCT. NAMB officials desired to make clear their position on the Baptist Faith & Message, and they objected to a funding change made by the BGCT two years ago.

Upon recommendation of a missions-funding study committee, the BGCT began retaining the amount of Cooperative Program money that previously would have come back to the BGCT through NAMB. The change was necessary, the committee said, because of excessive paperwork and bureaucratic delays in processing personnel and projects through NAMB.

In a letter mailed to Executive Board members prior to the Sept. 30 meeting, BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade urged the board to approve the latest changes in the document, including a reversal of the funds-retention policy.

The rationale that initially drove the funding change “no longer holds,” Wade said. “New processes and funding channels created by NAMB assure us that the problems faced earlier will no longer be present.”

Further, since the BGCT has been operating without a current cooperative agreement with NAMB, the mission board has made no actual commitment of funds to the BGCT and there is no basis for determining the amount of Cooperative Program contributions to retain.

In remarks during the board meeting, Wade added that continuing the funds-retention policy would be “not only an embarrassment; it's wrong.”

Other changes in the cooperative agreement retain language desired by both the BGCT and NAMB, although with rewording and placement changes from earlier versions.

A section on jointly supported personnel notes: "When North American Mission Board funds are used, both entities acknowledge that personnel must comply with North American Mission Board's requirements concerning the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.”

It adds, however: “This does not indicate affirmation of the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.”

Joshua Stowe, pastor of First Baptist Church of Rule, expressed concern that the new agreement leaves NAMB with “all the cards” because it says the BGCT “must conform” to strategy plans by NAMB for joint funding. He asked whether that would leave the BGCT vulnerable in protesting potential duplications of services by a competing state Baptist convention.

Stowe also asked if any guarantees would prevent NAMB from reducing funding for work done in cooperation with the BGCT.

E.B. Brooks, director of church missions and evangelism for the BGCT, responded: “We initiate requests and cooperative ministries with NAMB. We have the prerogative of what ministries we will participate in with them.”

The revised cooperative agreement was approved on a show-of-hands ballot with 10 to 12 negative votes out of more than 150 board members present.

The Executive Board also approved a 2004 BGCT budget for consideration by messengers to the BGCT annual session in Lubbock in November.

It allocates $45.8 million for use by Texas Baptist ministries, a 10 percent reduction from this year's $50.88 million budget that has not been met.

Of the budget total, $39.77 million is projected to come from Cooperative Program contributions and $6.03 million from other income sources such as designated investments or contributions from NAMB and the SBC's LifeWay Christian Resources.

BGCT Treasurer David Nabors acknowledged this has been a tough year financially, including a recent staff reduction. Through the end of August, gifts to the Texas portion of the Cooperative Program were running 14.32 percent under budget.

September figures look more promising, he added, although he noted one month does not set a trend.

The percentage of contributions churches are making available for the Texas part of the Cooperative Program budget is increasing, Nabors noted. So far this year, 69.6 percent of Cooperative Program money has been allocated for use in Texas, up from 67.8 percent last year.

BGCT President Bob Campbell also addressed the funding issue, explaining the drop in contributions is not likely due to controversy. “It is because of the economy,” he said.

In other action, the Executive Board:

Recommended to the convention in annual session that the president appoint a committee to work with Executive Board staff to review all BGCT documents and recommend any changes at the 2004 annual session.

Approved a change in the BGCT bylaws to allow previously introduced business to be conducted in the final session of the annual meeting.

Allocated $180,000 in supplemental funds for the Texas Baptist Laity Institute.

Passed on to the convention a proposal further clarifying the process by which BGCT institutions will be allowed to begin electing 25 percent of their own trustees if desired.

Affirmed a partnership missions agreement between the BGCT and the National Baptist Convention of Mexico.

Recognized the 100th anniversary of Baylor Health Care System.

Heard comments from BGCT vice presidents Rudy Camacho and Debbie Ferrier, each of whom challenged board members to lead their churches to greater commitment to the Texas Baptist Cooperative Program and Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas missions.

Posted: 10/3/03

Posted: 10/3/03

Posted: 10/3/03

Church provides oasis in the desert

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

SPUR–Like an oasis in the desert, Primera Iglesia Bautista Elim provides a resting place for the down and out on the South Plains of Texas.

The church, named after a campsite with springs in the Book of Exodus, has blossomed in the dry climate to feed as many as 100 families daily through its food pantry, 150 children in the summers and up to 30 people through a soup kitchen.

Additionally, the church launched a clothes closet and a prison ministry that gives people a place to stay and provides them meals while they visit incarcerated relatives. The most recent addition to the plethora of ministries is a crisis pregnancy center that gives pregnant women a place to stay during and up to a year after their terms.

The church has grown as it has launched and increased its ministries over the past eight years, said Pastor Geronimo Reyes.

When he and his wife, Lala, arrived eight years ago, the church had a congregation of one.

The duo quickly discovered the 1,300-person town needed the gospel but also found numerous physical needs. Employment is difficult to find in Spur, and many residents migrate northward for several months to keep working, the couple said. Regular income and food is rare. ”As we made home visits, we saw they needed to be fed spiritually but needed to be fed food as well,” Mrs. Reyes noted.

The Reyeses started meeting residents' physical needs through a clothes closet and a food pantry, and the ministry snowballed.

The church recently bought a three-story building for $500 and has outgrown it. Every space in the building except a portion of the second floor where the pastor and his family live is used for ministry. More and more people are visiting the church as word spreads about the benevolent work, Reyes said.

Not only are residents coming, but they are converting to Christianity after hearing the gospel through the ministries, the Reyeses said. The church now has about 150 people, and as many as 75 people attend Sunday activities.

“We minister with the word of salvation. We're seeking to win souls. The Bible says bring them in any way,” Mrs. Reyes said.

Many of the members cannot afford to tithe financially, so the Reyeses encourage them to give their time to ministry or devote substantial time to prayer. The congregation has taken the notion to heart, and more than half of the members are involved in an outreach.

“The Bible says you must give,” Reyes explained. “If you can't give 10 percent, give your time. If you can't do anything, pray.”

The congregation ministers to the community but also supports the Reyeses through the outreaches. The couple works for free and relies on the food pantry and clothes closet to sustain them. They do what they need to in order to glorify God, Reyes said.

“We don't want to work for money,” he added. “We want to work for the Lord.”

Posted: 10/3/03

51 elected to service on BGCT Executive Board committees

DALLAS–Fifty-one people were elected to new or renewed terms on committees and commissions of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Sept. 30.

The BGCT Executive Board approved the recommendations of its nominating committee, which was chaired this year by Phil Christopher, pastor of First Baptist Church of Abilene.

The committees, the nominees and their churches are:

Administrative Committee. Two were re-elected: Leroy Fenton, First Baptist Church, Waxahachie, and Ellis Orozco, Calvary Baptist Church, McAllen. Three were elected to new terms: Howard Caver, World Missionary Baptist Church, Fort Worth; Bill Shiell, Southland Baptist Church, San Angelo; and Vicki Vaughn, First Baptist Church, San Angelo.

Baptist Church Loan Corp. Three were re-elected: John Krey, First Baptist Church, Tahoka; Carla Robinson, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas; Mike Tandy, First Baptist Church, Odessa. One was elected to a new term: Vernon King, First Baptist Church of Woodway, Waco.

Baptist Distinctives Committee. Two were re-elected: Bobbye Hill, First Baptist Church, Duncanville; and Jack Ridlehoover, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene. One was elected to a new term: Royce Measures, Golden Acres Baptist Church, Pasadena.

Baptist Student Ministry Committee. Two were re-elected: Toni Richerson, South Main Baptist Church, Houston; Richard Mangum, Canyon Creek Baptist Church, Belton. Four were elected to new terms: Ed Pool, First Baptist Church of Woodway, Waco; Johnnie Henderson, First Baptist Church, Commerce; David Smith, Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin; and Russ Murphy, Indiana Avenue Baptist Church, Lubbock.

Business and Audit Committee. Two were re-elected: Brent Doll, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas; Lisa Robertson, Southmont Baptist Church, Denton. Three were elected to new terms: Tom Lyles, Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler; David Lyons, Casa View Baptist Church, Dallas; and Clint Bateman, Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston.

Christian Life Commission. One was re-elected: Buddy Brock, First Baptist Church, Edna. Five were elected to new terms: Janie Sellers, First Baptist Church, Abilene; Martha Chandler, First Baptist Church, Lufkin; Tiffany Wright, Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas; Willie Bennett, Keystone Baptist Church, Fort Worth; and Paul Sadler, First Baptist Church, Plainview.

Minister/Church Relations Advisory Committee. Three were re-elected: Patsy Hancock, First Baptist Church, Lubbock; B.C. McCoy, First Baptist Church, Tyler; Joe Smith, Southside Baptist Church, Tyler. Four were elected to new terms: Gloria Amaya, Dallas; Eddy Schafer, Highland Baptist Church, Denton; Gene Wilkes, Legacy Drive Baptist Church, Plano; and Mike Stedham, First Baptist Church, Arlington.

State Missions Commission. Two were re-elected: Bill Ingram, First Baptist Church, Baytown; and Ed Seay, First Baptist Church, Magnolia. Five were elected to new terms: Kay Kolb, First Baptist Church, Midland; Rob Cox, First Baptist Church, Waxahachie; Bruce Oliver, Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin; Grover Neal, St. John Baptist Church, Amarillo; and Diana Longino, First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs.

Texas Baptist Historical Council. One was re-elected: Carol Holcomb, First Baptist Church, Temple. Two were elected to new terms: Melinda Cagle, First Baptist Church, The Woodlands; and Alta Gerlach, Crestview Baptist Church, Midland.

Theological Education Committee. One was re-elected: Elizabeth McKinney, Broadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth. Four were elected to new terms: Mike Chancellor, Crescent Heights Baptist Church, Abilene; Leonard Hornsby, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Mansfield; Jackie Richardson, Singing Hills Baptist Church, Dallas; and Noah Rodriguez, Primeria Iglesia Bautista, San Antonio.

Posted: 10/3/03

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Oct. 12

Praying and caring lead to rich relationships

Philippians 4

By John Duncan

Lakeside Baptist Church, Granbury

Frederick Buechner once described his conversion to Christ as “a crazy, holy grace.” The French scientist and mathematician Blaise Pascal spoke of God filling the empty space in his life, “There is a God-shaped vacuum that only God can fill.” C.S. Lewis, a reluctant convert to Christ, announced his life was “surprised by joy.” Buechner, Pascal and Lewis all describe one common feature of the Christian life–joy.

Faces

Paul never loses sight of the faces of his friends at Philippi. Likewise, he never wavers from remembering the face of Christ. He names his friends in Philippians 4: Euodia, Syntyche, Clement and the saints, especially those of Caesar's household. He urges believers to stand strong in the Lord (v. 1). Paul's joy finds meaning in the unity and harmony of Christ. Joy flows from Christ into the hearts of his servants. Joy blossoms and multiplies in mutual service to the honor of Christ. Spiritual concord comes in maintaining two relationships: (1) Christ; and (2) other believers in the Lord's church.

The face at prayer

When Paul recalls the faces of his friends and the importance of their unified relationship in Christ, he prays. P.T. Forsyth identifies one key element of prayer, “Prayer is an act, indeed, the act of fellowship.” Prayer unites the church in fellowship, a common sharing in purpose and life of the joy of Christ. Time calls for prayer. The urgency of time and the nearness of Christ's coming motivate the Christian's prayer life (v. 5).

Paul yearns for the face to turn to God in prayer. Stop worrying (v. 6). Anxiety stifles the spirit of prayer. Daily devote your life to God in prayer and make specific requests to God in prayer.

John Calvin says in prayer “we unload into the bosom of God everything that harasses us.” Trust God through prayer. He hears. He knows. He sees. Give thanks. Where God's grace overflows in a spirit of joy, his people overflow with a spirit of gratitude.

Paul does not speak of sweeping generalizations (Thank you, Lord). Rather, he speaks of specific words lifted up in grace to God (Thank you Lord for the car, for food on the table, for clothes, for a roof over my head, for the salvation of my child or grandchild).

The face at prayer touches the heart at peace. Peace beyond human comprehension transforms not the heart of God but the heart of the one praying. God's peace guards the heart and mind like a soldier standing his post to protect from the lurking enemy (v. 7).

God's peace possesses honorable qualities (v. 8). God's peace leads us by the hand to places and dreams of Christ-honoring excellence and puts on our lips words of praise to God. The mind must meditate on the things of God. Prayer produces lovely Christ-like thoughts and heavenly peace in the soul.

From prayer to care

Paul remembers not only faces, but acts of concern generated toward his needs (v. 10). Paul joyfully and thankfully recalls their kind acts. He reflects on joy's ability to live beyond mere circumstances (vv. 11-12). Paul knew both how to live in the lap of luxury (v. 12 and v. 18) with ample supply for living and how to live in the pressures of poverty (v. 12). Paul knew the reality of eating choice meat at the king's table with a bloated stomach and the harshness of the gnawing, growling, grinding of acidic juices churning in the belly because of hunger.

In need supplied and in need unfulfilled, Paul's secret to contentment was joy supplied daily in relationship with Jesus. Vincent acknowledges “Paul did not deny the want itself, but the want as the motive and measure of his joy.”

Fred Craddock says, “He (Paul) is defined neither by wealth or poverty but by a contentment that transcends both and by a power in Christ which enables him to live in any circumstance.”

From care to power

Paul knows his ability to serve Christ, to minister in the church, to preach the gospel in the community, to fellowship with friends and to live in hardship or prosperity comes because daily Christ pours his power into Paul (v. 13). To paraphrase the poet John Donne's words, “No Christian is an island.” Christ's servants trust in his power through prayer, joyful surrender and with confidence that God uses people to minister to the needs of others.

A.T Robertson summarizes verse 13: “Cooperation is still the great demand among modern Christians. Churches so often leave it all for the pastor to do.” Mutual service in the realm of cooperation aims for cooperation with God in his will that encourages the cooperation of Christian servants.

God's power in reflection

Paul remembers his friends in their act of kindness when they gave a gift (of money) to support the ministry to which God called him (vv. 14-23). The gift was a sacrificial, sweet-smelling gift received with grace (v. 18). The gift received was ultimately a gift to God (Gordon Fee). As always, God supplies needs for his glory (v. 19).

Question for discussion

Recalling the faces of which friends bring you joy?

Posted: 10/3/03

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Oct. 19

Christ is the great equalizer among individuals

Philemon

By John Duncan

Lakeside Baptist Church, Granbury

Philemon was a convert to Christ who served as a co-worker for the kingdom's sake with the Apostle Paul (v. 1). Philemon may have been a wealthy man who delivered his financial means to help the church and possibly even Paul's itinerant ministry. Obviously, a church met at Philemon's house (v. 2), noting that house churches were a common feature of first century New Testament Christianity.

C.S. Lewis once said, “The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start.” The book of Philemon is about one simple thing: Those given a fresh start in Christ refresh others and build up his church.

Refreshing work together

Paul understands the dynamic of a church at work by the Spirit of God. Such a dynamic inspires God's servants and leaders to work together. The source of this togetherness is none other than a sacrificial love and a determined faith (v. 5). Paul reflects on this love and faith in the context of prayer.

P.T. Forsyth says, “To pray for God's kingdom is also to engage ourselves to service and sacrifice for it.” Paul's aim in prayer was that the sacrifice of love and the service of faith would continue to build God's kingdom. Therefore, Paul remembered and prayed.

One specific request of Paul in prayer was that the fellowship of faith might become more active (v. 6). Fellowship here is koinonia, a common sharing of faith, values, purpose and life in a united goal of building the Lord's church. Paul prayed for an active faith, or one in which God supplied energy like the sun, water and earth working together to nurture seeds and produce fertile soil for a crop.

Paul understands the activity of God through faith as fruitful. What is the fruit? The full knowledge of God or a sensitivity to him and the goodness of God that supplies his good things according to his own time. Paul thinks of the fruit and responds with joy and comfort. Joy comes from heaven and Jesus. Comfort links the helpful work of God's Spirit as the essential ingredient for God's saints to work together. Keep in mind, Christ and the Holy Spirit are one.

Philemon's contribution

Paul's memory in appreciation turns to Philemon. His contribution was refreshment (v. 7). Because of God's work in Philemon, past, present and future, one characteristic of Philemon's faith was that he refreshed others. The word indicates giving relief, providing relaxation or supplying rest for another. The refreshment may well have been financial relief, encouragement or provision of a place for Paul to rest. Regardless, Paul speaks of the refreshment as a “compassion of holiness” (v. 7). God moves his servants to holy acts of compassion that minister refreshment to others.

Paul's heart under the inspiration of God turns to an encouragement for Philemon to refresh a slave who converted to Christ, Onesimos. The name means “useful.” It describes God's work in Onesimos' life (v. 10). Paul addresses his own salvation, call to service and love for Christ that seeks to encourage others (v. 9).

Paul speaks authoritatively, begging Philemon to defend Onesimos and to refresh him by ministering to him. Paul knows of Onesimos' salvation (v. 10). A.T. Robertson notes Paul's concern for the one whom he led to Christ as a “tender and affectionate reference to Onesimos as his spiritual child.” What kind of work did salvation produce in Onesimos' life?

Onesimos transformed

God changed Onesimos' life in such a way that God transformed him from a useless person to a useful person (v. 11); from one rejected to one welcome (v. 15); from one who served as a slave in the Roman world to one who became a voluntary servant of Christ (v. 16); from a person of “no good” to one of enormous good (v. 12). God takes the useless and makes them useful; the loveless and makes them lovely; the wayward and puts them on his narrow way.

It is possible the church hesitated to receive Onesimos because of his background or reputation. Paul asks Philemon to do the right thing (v. 8). The right thing means welcoming Onesimos just as Paul would be welcomed (vv. 15, 17). Welcome him as a friend with open arms.

Paul's idea of friendship here indicates a compulsion of receiving Onesimos with an obligation to care for him. God's presence linked them together through the cross as partners or sharers in the service of faith (v. 17). As partners they impartially receive the faces of others and serve together.

Paul goes beyond the call of duty. If Onesimos has done harm, Paul begs Philemon to charge it to his account or to forgive (v. 18). Paul demonstrates truth and mercy, two common qualities of a Christian. He wishes for Philemon to do the same. Paul pleads for refreshment; for personal benefit to him in regard to Onesimos (v. 20). Paul longs to join the society of his Christian friends (vv. 21-25). Genuine refreshment in Christ refreshes others, welcomes the wayward and displays daily compassion that draws people into Christian fellowship.

Question for discussion

What similarities can be found between Onesimos and Philemon?