Reading: Host Ministers in the Early Church - The Inspiration of Philemon and Apphia

Philemon 1:1-25 (WEB)

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8 Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus.
10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,
11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,
16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18 But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account.
19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention that you owe me even your own self besides).
20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen

Philemon and Aphia: Host Ministers in the Early Church

In the short yet powerful letter of Paul to Philemon, we are introduced to Philemon and his wife, Aphia, two early Christians whose home became a central gathering place for the local Christian community. While the letter focuses on the fate of Onesimus, a runaway slave who became a believer, it also highlights the significant role Philemon and Aphia played as Host Ministers. By opening their home for worship and ministry, they offer a prime example of how hospitality, discipleship, and evangelism are interwoven in Christian ministry.

The Home as a Ministry Hub

In the early Christian world, there were no formal church buildings; instead, believers met in the homes of fellow Christians. Philemon and Aphia’s home in Colossae was one such meeting place. Paul, in his letter to Philemon, addresses not just Philemon but also Aphia, Archippus, and "the church that meets in your home" (Philemon 1:2, WEB). This acknowledgment highlights their home as a center for Christian fellowship, worship, and teaching.

As Host Ministers, Philemon and Aphia were responsible for ensuring that their home was more than just a physical shelter. It was a spiritual sanctuary where believers could grow in their faith, pray together, and support one another amidst the challenges of the Roman world. Their role extended far beyond mere hospitality, actively shaping the spiritual lives of their community, including those within their household.

Sharing Christ with Their Household

One of the most significant aspects of Philemon and Aphia’s ministry was their role in sharing Christ with those in their household, including their slaves. In the case of Onesimus, their runaway slave, it is likely that he first heard about Jesus from Philemon and Aphia. As members of a Christian household, Onesimus was exposed to the teachings of Christ through the ministry occurring in their home.

After fleeing from Philemon’s household and encountering Paul, Onesimus became a Christian. It is noteworthy that Paul’s letter to Philemon urges him to receive Onesimus back, not as a slave but as "a beloved brother" (Philemon 1:16, WEB). This transformation from slave to brother in Christ demonstrates the powerful impact of the Gospel, which Philemon and Aphia shared with all who entered their home, including the lowest in society.

Their evangelistic efforts extended beyond their immediate church community, including their servants and slaves. By embracing all members of their household, Philemon and Aphia modeled the inclusive and transformative nature of Christian love. Onesimus’s conversion is a direct result of the ministry of hospitality and evangelism within their household.

Philemon's Role in Reconciliation

Paul’s appeal to Philemon regarding Onesimus shows the practical application of Christian reconciliation. Paul encourages Philemon to welcome Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. This challenge called Philemon to act according to his faith, viewing Onesimus through the lens of Christian love and equality.

As a Host Minister, Philemon was not only tasked with offering physical hospitality but also modeling the love, forgiveness, and reconciliation taught by Jesus. By accepting Onesimus as a brother, Philemon demonstrated to the entire Christian community the radical equality found in Christ, where "there is neither slave nor free, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28, WEB).

This reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus would have been a powerful testimony to the watching world, illustrating the Gospel’s ability to transform relationships and dissolve social barriers, even within the hierarchical structures of the Roman Empire.

Aphia's Role as a Host Minister

Although Paul’s letter primarily addresses Philemon, Aphia is mentioned in the greeting, indicating her integral role in their ministry. In the cultural context of the time, women often managed the household, which suggests that Aphia took charge of hosting gatherings and caring for the practical needs of their guests.

However, Aphia’s role extended beyond practical hospitality. As a Host Minister, she provided spiritual nurture to those within their home, including the women, children, and servants. Aphia's involvement highlights the importance of both practical and spiritual leadership in hosting ministry, making her a vital part of the early church that gathered in their home.

Hospitality as Evangelism and Discipleship

Philemon and Aphia’s ministry underscores that Christian hospitality is more than offering food or shelter; it is a form of evangelism and discipleship. By welcoming people into their home, including slaves like Onesimus, they provided opportunities to hear the Gospel, witness Christian love, and experience transformation through Christ.

Their home was not just a place for believers to gather but a space where lives could be changed, and relationships reconciled. Onesimus’s journey from being a runaway slave to a beloved brother in Christ illustrates the profound impact of ministry hosting.

A Subtle Reminder of Responsibility

Paul’s letter to Philemon also includes a subtle but profound reminder of the responsibility that comes with wealth and privilege in the Kingdom of God. In verse 19, Paul writes, "I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention that you owe me even your own self besides)" (Philemon 1:19, WEB). This statement serves as a reminder to Philemon, who was wealthy, that he owes his spiritual life to the work of God through Paul.

Paul's reminder to Philemon highlights that, despite his wealth, his eternal destiny with God levels all distinctions. The rich, like Philemon, have a responsibility to share their resources and build the Kingdom of God. This reminder encourages Philemon to act in grace and generosity, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.

Lessons for Today’s Host Ministers

The ministry of Philemon and Aphia offers valuable lessons for modern Host Ministers:

• Hospitality as Evangelism: Hosting provides an opportunity to share Christ through actions and words. Like Philemon and Aphia, today’s Host Ministers can offer a welcoming space where the Gospel is shared with everyone, regardless of their background.
• Reconciliation as Ministry: Philemon’s act of receiving Onesimus as a brother demonstrates how hospitality can lead to healing and restoration in relationships.
• Partnership in Ministry: Philemon and Aphia’s partnership highlights the importance of working together in ministry hosting, combining practical and spiritual leadership.
• Opening Your Home as a Mission Field: By opening their home, Philemon and Aphia turned their space into a mission field. Modern Host Ministers can follow their example, offering their homes as places where lives are changed through Christ.

Conclusion

Philemon and Aphia exemplified the role of Host Ministers in the early church. Their hospitality, evangelism, and reconciliation efforts transformed their home into a place of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth. Their story challenges modern Christians to see hospitality as a powerful ministry tool—one that can change lives, restore relationships, and extend the love of Christ to all who enter.