ACTS LESSON 44
We will begin this lesson in Acts 20:17 "And from Miletus he sent
to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church."
It seems that Paul's stopping at Miletus was to avoid the opposing
Jews in Ephesus. These elders of the church needed last minute
instructions from Paul, and that is why he sent for them. This would
be Paul's last time to see them.
Acts 20:18 "And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye
know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I
have been with you at all seasons," Acts 20:19 "Serving the Lord with
all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which
befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:"
Paul tells them, here, that he had not elevated himself above
them, but had actually lived with them and been one with them while he
was here in Ephesus. He tells them that he shed many tears over them
and suffered all sorts of hardships that the Jews brought just to
bring them the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:20 "[And] how I kept back nothing that was profitable
[unto you], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and
from house to house,"
Paul tells them, here, that he has revealed to them all that God
had revealed to him. He had held back nothing. He says, I didn't hide
to preach this gospel, for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus
Christ. He, also, reminds them that before there was a church, he went
from house to house preaching. When they started the church, he spoke
boldly in the church, never fearing for his own life.
Acts 20:21 "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks,
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
Paul says, I have not adjusted the message of Jesus. It is the
same message to the Jew and to the Greek. The message is the same
(repent and be baptized) for all have sinned and need to repent. The
repentance toward God, because they have broken His law, and faith in
Jesus being their Saviour.
Acts 20:22 "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto
Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:"
We see, here, that the Holy Spirit has revealed to Paul that he
will have troubles when he returns to Jerusalem, but he is compelled
to go there anyway. He has no idea what the problems will be, just
that there will be problems.
Acts 20:23 "Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city,
saying that bonds and afflictions abide me."
It seems that Paul had been told by the Holy Spirit in each city
that he went to, that when he got back to Jerusalem, he was facing
imprisonment. He, also, knows this is the will of God and has set his
face to Jerusalem.
Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me, neither count I my
life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and
the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the
gospel of the grace of God."
Paul says, whether life or death to this life await him, he will
not be upset. He has been dead in Christ ever since his first
encounter with Jesus. He does not fear death to the body, because he
knows he will be in heaven with God when he departs his body. He
says, I will joyfully preach the gospel to the end. I have no fear of
death. I will rejoice that the grace of God saved me to the end.
Acts 20:25 "And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have
gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more."
Paul is bidding them farewell, because he knows that this will be
his last time to see them. It is kind of like leaving your family
forever. These are, in a way, his children in the Lord, because he
led them to Jesus. This is a sad parting.
Acts 20:26 "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am]
pure from the blood of all [men]."
We read in chapter 33 of Ezekiel, that a person who knows the
truth and does not tell the ones around them of their errors and their
need to repent, will be held responsible for that person when we stand
before Jesus to be judged. Paul is saying here, I told everyone and I
am not responsible for their sin.
Acts 20:27 "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the
counsel of God."
Paul reminds them that he has not neglected to bring them the
truth. It is their responsibility to do what he preached.
Acts 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the
flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed
the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
Paul is reminding these leaders of the church that they are not
only responsible for themselves, but for their membership, as well.
The food that they are to feed the flock is the uncompromised Word of
God. Paul also reminds them that the precious shed blood of Jesus
Christ has bought our salvation for us.
Acts 20:29 "For I know this, that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock."
This is a warning from Paul, that the enemy will send liars and
deceivers among them to destroy the flock. The good shepherd will
protect their sheep from false doctrines and lies. Keep your people in
the Truth of God, is what Paul is saying to them.
Acts 20:30 "Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking
perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."
This is speaking of people in the church who cause a rift and
carry some of the members away with them. This was not a problem for
just them, but is a present day problem, as well. There is always
someone who gets unhappy and leaves the church taking part of the
members with them.
Acts 20:31 "Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of
three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."
Paul had taught them in all sincerity, and now he tells them to be
careful to remember what he taught. He was so concerned about their
salvation that his prayers for them were accompanied with tears.
Paul, like many ministers, feels responsible for those people he has
ministered the truth to and cried over them regularly.
Acts 20:32 "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the
word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified."
Sanctified means purified or made holy. The study of the Word of
God is what builds you up. Paul is telling them, here, to stay in that
Word and become strong. Through the grace of God, (free gift) we
receive the inheritance of eternal life.
Acts 20:33 "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel."
Acts 20:34 "Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered
unto my necessities, and to them that were with me."
Paul was proud of the fact that he had never taken substance from
the people he ministered to. He was a tentmaker and had worked at that
trade whenever it was needful. Paul, not only had supported himself,
but he had given to those around him, as well.
Acts 20:35 "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
We see, Paul teaching to help those who cannot help themselves.
This weak means physical and spiritual. The strong always has to help
the weak. He reminds them of the Lord's statement: It is more blessed
to give than to receive.
Acts 20:36 "And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and
prayed with them all."
This is a prayer asking God to watch over his flock. Paul must
now place these elders which he had trained in God's hands. This was
probably like an anointing service where Paul prayed for each of these
elders and the church.
Acts 20:37 "And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and
kissed him,"
You can certainly understand the love that Paul has for them, as
if they were his dear children. The love that they have for Paul who
led them to God is tremendous. Without him and his teachings of the
Lord Jesus Christ, they would be lost.
Acts 20:38 "Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake,
that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto
the ship."
This is like a death. They are assured that Paul has spoken truth.
They will see him no more. As if trying to hang on as long as they
could, they go to the ship with him.
Notes
Acts 44 Questions
1. Where did Paul stop for rest?
2. Who did Paul send for to come here?
3. In verse 18, Paul says that he had been with them in ___________
seasons.
4. "Serving the Lord with all _______________ of _____"
5. Who had lain in wait for him to harm him?
6. How had Paul taught them all that he knew?
7. What two peoples had he testified to?
8. What two things had he testified?
9. Paul said he was going where, bound in the spirit?
10. Where had the Holy Ghost told Paul that he would be imprisoned?
11. Paul said none of these things moved him, why?
12. What bad news did Paul bring them?
13. Paul told them he was pure from ______________________.
14. Verse 27 says he had not shunned to declare what to them?
15. What did Paul tell these leaders to take heed and do for the
church of God?
16. Who had made them overseers?
17. What had Jesus purchased them with?
18. Who did Paul warn would come in among them and would not spare the
flock?
19. In verse 30, even who will arise with perverse things and draw
away disciples?
20. How many years had Paul been coming to minister to them?
21. What did Paul tell them would build them up?
22. Who did Paul tell them they would have an inheritance with, if
they remained faithful?
23. What is the grace of God?
24. What does sanctified mean?
25. Paul said he had not coveted men's ______, or ______, or _____.
26. How had Paul supported himself?
27. What words of the Lord did Paul tell them to remember in verse 35?
28. What did Paul do after talking to them?
29. Verse 37, tells how they expressed their love for Paul, what did
they do?
30. What did they sorrow the most for?
Notes
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