Palmer's Posts

We continue west, following Paul’s expanding geographical witness of Christ until we reach the Aegean coastline. We will visit the vast site of Miletus, where Paul met with the Ephesian elders on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 20:15-38). Paul’s heartfelt address reveals his commitment both to individual conversion and community formation. The gospel requires a personal response of repentance and belief. At the same time, new believers need the full counsel of Scripture over time to reach maturity in Christ (Col 1:28; 4:12). Paul’s preaching and his letters show that he understood the gospel as the beginning of an entire new life in Christ. For our new life to grow, we need patient instruction in the Old and New Testament Scriptures and living examples to follow. Paul carries out this sacred responsibility to declare “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Mature Christian discipleship requires instruction in the whole Bible. Without deep roots in God’s great redemptive story that begins...

We continue overland making our way north through Lycus River valley. We will visit three cities in close proximity to one another – Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. It is important for us to remember that Jesus often uses those whom Paul reached to extend the kingdom even further. The church at Colossae was first established through Epaphras, who had come to faith in Ephesus during the Paul’s third missionary journey (AD 52-57). Epaphras returned to his native city of Colossae. He proclaimed the gospel there and to the neighboring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis (Col 1:7; 4:12). This dedicated servant of Christ would later visit Paul in Rome and bring good news of the churches spreading along the cities of the Lycus River valley. Paul writes his letter to the Colossians to encourage these believers in their new life in Christ. The letter is entrusted to Tychichus, who travels with a fellow convert from Colossae named Onesimus (Col 4:7-9). After his distinctive greeting of grace...