By: Dale Weckbacher
Text: Acts
20:17-38
Acts 20:22-24.
And now, behold, I am
going to Jerusalem, constrained by[b] the Spirit, not
knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except
that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment
and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not
account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may
finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord
Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
(ESV)
The Apostle
Paul was no doubt a sports fan, especially track and field because of the many
sports analogies in his teaching (1
Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1; 2 Timothy 4:7). It is possible that the writing in Acts
20:17-38 occurred around the same time as Paul mentoring Timothy where he
told him he had fought the good fight and finished the race (2
Timothy 4:7). Paul finishing his
race meant he would soon be executed for his faith but he did not dread facing
death for he viewed it as becoming absent from his body so he could spend
eternity with the Lord (2
Corinthians 5:6-8).
After his
whirlwind tour of Macedonia and Greece where he encouraged the Churches (Acts
20:1-16), Paul calls for the elders from Ephesus to meet him in
Miletus. While Scripture does not provide
insight on what these men expected to hear from Paul but based upon the sorrow
they experienced when Paul told them they would not see him again, it was not to
hear Paul’s final instructions (Acts
20:37-38). Acts
20:18 implies there was no hesitation by the elders in coming to Paul
indicating not only their great respect for his teaching but also obedience to
the Lord for these men did not have the Bible as we do today with Paul’s
teaching providing their connection with the word of God. Ironically, much of our connection with the
Word of God today is through Paul’s teaching in the Epistles.
After
everyone is assembled, Paul begins his teaching by reminding them of how he served
the Lord with humility, tears, and trials due to the plots of the Jews (Acts
20:19). Paul also demonstrated
courage as he openly declared God’s truth publicly and from house to house to
both Jews and Greeks (Acts
20:20-21). Paul then tells the
elders that he intends to go to Jerusalem under the constraint of the Holy
Spirit, not knowing what will happen to him there (Acts
20:22). It is interesting to note
that Paul mentions going to Jerusalem under the constraint of the Holy
Spirit. Based upon Paul’s previous
teaching that the same power of the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the
dead dwells in us, empowering us (Romans
8:11). The constraint Paul is
speaking of is not enslavement to a greater power but a willingness to go
wherever the Holy Spirit directs, which in this instance means going to
Jerusalem with uncertainty (Acts
20:22). However, Paul is certain he
will suffer imprisonment and afflictions but does not fear for he values
bringing glory to God. (Acts
20:23-24).
Paul then
informs the elders that once he is gone, they will encounter fierce wolves,
symbolic of the Jewish and Roman persecution many will suffer, resulting in the
martyring of many for their faith (Acts
20:29). Even more alarming and
dangerous is Paul’s warning about false teaching designed to draw many away
from the faith (Acts
20:30). Paul instructs the Ephesian
elders to remain alert, commending them to God and the word of God’s grace for
it is what builds them up and provides an inheritance among those who are
sanctified unto the Lord (Acts
20:31-32). Paul then concludes by
reminding the elders he ministered without coveting anyone’s gold or silver and
worked hard to supply his needs as an example of one working hard to provide
for themselves while ministering for the Lord (Acts
20:33-35). Paul then bids them
farewell with much sorrow due to Paul telling them they would not see him again
(Acts
20:36-38).
As the
Apostle Paul nears the end of his ministry, he remains focused on serving
others and calls for the elders from Ephesus (Acts
20:17). Paul is aware that these
future church leaders will encounter those seeking to destroy them as well as
false teaching (Acts
20:29-30). Paul advises these elders
to remain alert, commending them to God and the Word which will build them up
and give them an inheritance among those sanctified or set apart for God (Acts
20:31-32). Similarly, Paul
encourages Timothy who has doubts due to his youth (1
Timothy 4:12). Paul was also great
at encouraging others even though he was suffering in prison (Philippians
4:13,19). Paul is a great example of
a servant leader, not focused on his greatness but instead focused on
encouraging others.
It is difficult for those of us
living in the United States where we have freedom of religion to imagine suffering
persecution for our faith with one risking imprisonment, physical harm, or
death for their faith. Just as Paul
cautioned the Ephesian elders to be alert and prepared through dedication to
God and study of His Word. We cannot
trust in the continuation for our freedom of religion in the United States based
on the governance of imperfect people and instead must remain alert and
prepared through increased knowledge of the Word of God and Holy Spirit-led
ministry and worship. May God bless and
encourage everyone reading this post.
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