Apostle Paul - Apostle to the Greeks
Apostle Paul Preached Repentance & Faith to the Church
Welcome to you, to our Book of Acts Bible Study, “Apostle Paul - the Spirit of Jesus Christ Made You Pastor .” Today, let’s continue our study of Acts Chapter Twenty, Acts 20:13 – 38.
After Apostle Paul left Macedonia, on the return leg of his Third Missionary Journey, traveling to Jerusalem, he visited the coastal towns from Troas to Miletus. When he arrived at Miletus, he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the Ephesian Church, Acts 20:13 – 17.
Apostle Paul had bypassed Ephesus because he wanted to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, Acts 20:16. Stopping once in Miletus saves time because he can address both Believers of Ephesus and Miletus simultaneously. When the Ephesian Elders arrived then Apostle Paul addressed all the Believers.
Apostle Paul’s Address to The Ephesian Elders
Paul started by telling the elders since the first day in Asia he had dealt with them in a consistent manner, Acts 20:18. Apostle Paul continues by recounting the ways in which he had served God including the perils he had encountered, namely the, “lying in wait of the Jews,” Acts 20:19.
“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house,” Acts 20:20.
Apostle Paul recounts how he preached to both the Jews and the Greeks that they should repent and turn to God; and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 20:21.
Apostle Paul Declares he’s Bound in the Spirit
Apostle Paul declares he goes into Jerusalem “bound in the Spirit,” not knowing what “things” to expect but he knows he will be incarcerated, Acts20:22– 23. He refused to allow this knowledge to depress him by dismissing it, Acts 20:24.
Apostle Paul told the Ephesian Elders they will not see him again, Acts 20:25, then he declared his innocence of “the blood of all men,” Acts20:26. In other words, he has not harmed or hurt anyone. He further informed them, he had communicated to them, “all the council of God,” Acts 20:27. Then he charged them:
”Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood,” Acts 20:28.
Apostle Paul warned the Ephesian Elders of future danger to the church externally and internally, Acts 20:29 – 30. Therefore, he advised them to “watch” for this danger and “remember” his teachings. Then Paul asked the Lord to keep the Ephesian Church. He advised them of the power of the “word of grace”; ”which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified,” Acts 20:32.
Finally, Apostle Paul reminded the elders how to live a life of service to others; he expounded the benefits of working, of supporting “the weak” and of giving, Acts20:32– 35. Then Apostle Paul knelt down and “prayed with them all”, Acts20:36. Then they all sorrowfully kissed Apostle Paul good-bye, and accompanied him to the ship, Acts 20:38.
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