Testimony of Onesimus to the Churches of Ephesus By: Leo

Onesimus, servant of Jesus Christ and shepherd of his flock.  To the churches in

Ephesus.  Greetings.  As Paul, our faithful brother in Christ, and prisoner in his name, has recently been put to death for his faith, it seems fitting that I should give a testimony to you of his guidance in my life. 

      As you may know I was once a slave both to man and to the devil.  Though my master, Philemon, being a Christian, was kind to me and my fellow slaves, I often longed to be free of him.  While I cleaned his house after one of his church meetings, I began to plan an escape.  I eventually decided that it should take place on the following Sabbath Day.  As Philemon’s house would be crowded with people, it would not be difficult to slip off.

      My escape, however, came sooner than I had expected.  It was the day before Sabbath.  Being one of his most trusted servants, Philemon sent me with a sack of gold to the market to buy the food needed for his Sabbath meal.  I was delighted with my fortune.  I approached the market place, but not as a slave.  I was free. 

      Perhaps it was providential that I had spent my money so frivolously.  One day after finding that my money sack was empty, my heart sunk.  I began going door to door, begging for food.  I was often turned away.  My condition now was worse than it had been as a slave.  In addition to all of my other troubles, I began to feel guilt weigh down upon me about how I had wronged Philemon.  I would have to find work.

      As I walked down the street with these thoughts weighing on my mind, I saw the house of an old man.  His door was guarded, yet I approached it in my desperation.  The man came to the door and beckoned me to come in.  He was dressed quite modestly, and I doubted whether he would have the funds to employ me.  He spoke kindly to me however and my spirits lifted somewhat.  He listened patiently to me as I recounted my story of bondage to Philemon.  He asked me if I knew who he was.  I told him I did not.  “I am Paul a servant of Christ and friend of your master’s.”  My heart sank.  I began to leave, but he assured me that he meant me no harm.  He told me that I was welcome in his house. 

      In the weeks that followed he treated me very graciously.  He taught me what it was to be a Christian.  He recounted to me his great experience.  He said that, like me, he was in bondage to sin.  He had fled from God, his master.  He was converted, however, after seeing a great vision.  He turned from his sin and began teaching others to do the same.  It was in this work that he had met Philemon and built him up in the faith.  Finally, the day came when I asked him if I might be baptized.  He granted my request with great joy.  He told me then that he believed that my coming to him was not mere chance, but it was ordained by God that I might return to Philemon, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.  He also expressed these hopes to Philemon, along with the promise that he would pay all my debts.

      The day came when I had to return home.  I waited until I was sure that letter had reached Philemon before departing.  Paul thanked me for my great service to him and bid me farewell.  I reached Philemon’s house with dread, yet when I entered, I was surprised with a joyful welcome.  Far from expressing his anger at my dishonesty, Philemon expressed his joy at hearing that I was a Christian.  Within the next week, he freed me. 

      For many years I assisted both Philemon and Paul in the great work of spreading the gospel.  I was eventually appointed to the position of a minister in a small church in Ephesus.  Through the gracious donations that I received during my time there I was able to establish more churches in that region.

      I now conclude, wishing you the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ which he has graciously bestowed on me, thanking him for you, and praying for the bestowal of his Spirit among you to guide you until his final coming.
By: Leo Age: 13 Grade: 8th