Year 2, Week 46, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 46, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Acts 20-21.

Today’s reading continues the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts is a selective history of the early church, which demonstrates how Jesus, by the Spirit, empowers His followers to continue His work. While the Book of Acts traces the early history of the church in general, eventually, the ministry of the Apostle Paul will be the primary focus for much of the remainder of Acts. Acts 20 is the final segment of the Book of Acts as Luke documents some of Paul’s ministry experiences as he departed from Ephesus traveling to Jerusalem and then eventually to Rome. Acts 20 records Paul’s journey to Macedonia and into Greece: “After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece” (Acts 20:1-3). After departing from Greece, Paul traveled into Asia Minor, where in the town of Miletus he met with the Elders from Ephesus: “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him” (Acts 20:17). Acts 21 records Paul’s journey to Jerusalem, where a riot erupted as a result of false accusations against Paul: “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place…Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him” (Acts 21:28,30-31a). When the Roman tribune heard what was occurring, he ordered Paul’s arrest assuming he was someone else. But Paul was allowed to identify who he really was: “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people” (Acts 21:39).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was Paul’s instructions to the Elders at Ephesus: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-30). Paul’s charge to the Ephesian Elders was a call for vigilance. The need for vigilance was three-fold. First, the Elders were to be vigilant in regard to threats from their own hearts: "Pay careful attention to yourselves.” Second, the Elders were to be vigilant in regard to threats from outsiders: “after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” Third, the Elders were to be vigilant in regard to threats from the flock itself: “and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” The flock entrusted to the Elders was to be seen as extremely precious in the sight of the Lord, for, “he obtained with his own blood.” Thus, the Elders were to share that same outlook as they gave, “care for the church of God.” Therefore, in order to give proper care for the precious flock as well as guard against vicious attacks, Paul commended God’s Word: “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Ultimately, Paul’s confidence was not in his advice nor the abilities of the Elders; Paul’s confidence was in how God’s grace works through God’s Word. So, while Paul feels a great burden for the church at Ephesus, he also has confidence in the efficacy of God’s Word.

Not only did Paul offer a charge to the Ephesian Elders, he also reviewed his own efforts for the sake of the flock: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews” (Acts 20:18b-19). Paul describes his work of ministry with notions of patience, humility, compassion, and endurance. Paul was neither bragging or complaining; Paul was providing the Elders the model for the manner in which they were to minister to the flock. Paul’s efforts were for the sake of the flock for the sake of the Gospel: “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” (Acts 20:24). Ministry for the sake of the flock for the sake of the Gospel consists of teaching and preaching the Word: “how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21). Paul’s ministry of the Word, which occurred, “in public and from house to house,” that is, in larger settings but also in personal settings, focused on Jesus and the need to respond to Jesus with faith and repentance. Paul’s conscience was clear before the Lord, for he taught the entirety of God’s Word: “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe