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9. Paul’s Parting Sermon to the Bishops and Elders (Acts 20:17-38)
ACTS 20:25-32
25 Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. 32 Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Paul was sure of the leading of the Holy Spirit, who had told him that he would not see his spiritual children any more. Paul accepted this divine revelation with lowliness, and said goodbye to his relatives in the family of God. They recognized the moment of separation had come, embraced the good apostle, and wept freely, sorrowful that they would see him no more.
Paul knew in the depth of his heart that he was innocent before God toward the Ephesians. In regard to his preaching, he had completed it perfectly in all respects. He had given them the complete gospel, called them to repentance, urged them to continue on in the true faith, made clear to them the fullness of the grace of the gospel, revealed the truths and the power of the kingdom of God, clarified to them how to become worthy of the royal citizenship of Christ, and admitted them into the expanses of the Holy Spirit. They had experienced the power of the blood of Christ and his practical protection. The kingdom of God was not a theoretical concept to the church. The presence of God was with them in the full sense of the word. They waited for the appearance of the glory of this kingdom in the approaching second coming of Christ. Thus they became rich in faith, as well as responsible for their knowledge, experiences, and divine gifts.
Furthermore, Paul uncovered to the elders of the church the mysteries of the counsel of God. He revealed to them the designs of the Holy One, from creation to perfection, from the election of believers, to their being transformed in the glory to come. Theological studies are deep, wide, and high. Do not think proudly that you know the will of God concerning everything, for you are still a lowly disciple, needing deep understanding into the pleasure of God. The end of our faith is not only to know divine mysteries, but also to carry them out in practical life, in the exercise of love. Faith without works is dead, and greatly unprofitable.
Luke calls the leaders of the church “elders”, while Paul calls them “overseers”. They do not call themselves priests, which is how the Arabic translation renders verse 17 of this chapter, or metropolitans, or popes, but faithful ministers, guardians in the church, who are in charge of meeting arrangements and financial management. They met together to pray, visited the sick, preached to the lost, and comforted the sorrowful. They received no salary in their office, and had no special civil rights or exalted rank other than the spiritual power Christ had bestowed on them. There is only one Holy Spirit in the church. But there are different gifts and various levels of maturity in individuals. Every Christian is invited to become a good example for others, and a joyful servant among the needy.
Christ said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” This command is realized in all those who preach the entire gospel, and live accordingly. Paul did not appoint elders according to his own choice to be bishops of the church. The Holy Spirit himself appointed them, called them, filled them, and caused them to bear spiritual fruit. Woe to him who, without a call from the Holy Spirit, covets to serve in church, exalt himself, or pour out his worldly thinking upon believers! Such a man harms himself and plagues the whole flock. His efforts end in failure and despair.
Paul speaks openly to those who are broken in repentance and walking humbly: “Take heed to yourselves. You are not perfect, but are also tempted by the devil. He has made you his target. The destroyer wants to cause the elders and leaders of the church to fall into sin, doubt and haughtiness, so that the flock will be spontaneously scattered. It is often right to say: “As the shepherd, so the flock.” Where the preacher asks God to pour out gifts, blessings, and power on His church members, His house becomes radically changed. The Lord showers rivers of His grace on His church, because Christ, through the shepherds, pours out His power on the church. It is to be observed that Christ’s end is not the shepherd, but the flock, which is more important to Him than the shepherds.
The leaders in the church are, nevertheless, God’s authorized agents and stewards. He purchased His church for himself with the blood of His unique Son. God did not pay for our redemption with silver, gold, platinum, jewels, or uranium, but sacrificed the most precious thing He had. He sent His Son to give His life to save us completely. The apostle commands the elders to be continuously awake in watching over the church, so that they may always hear the voice of the sheep and care for them. Wolves are certainly coming, enemies rush upon them, and liars are not far away. The church is always in danger. We must recognize that we are not living in peace, but in the midst of the battle between heaven and hell.
The evil one uses tricks and cunning to deceive the believers. As a result, perverse doctrines, syncretistic propaganda, and currents of neutral superficiality crop up. At the same time, some hold to a legalistic fanaticism, which seeks additional sanctification, rather than the forgiveness of Christ. By so doing, they wish to save themselves through their own efforts. If correct Biblical faith vanishes, love and hope will also vanish. The church has already become corrupted, not through persecution and tribulation, but through false teaching.
The deceiver is known by the following characteristics:
One of the important gifts of the church elder is the discernment of spirits, which enables him to quickly recognize the smell of strange spirits. Having recognized them, in humility and love he can then overcome them through his prayer and authority, and drive out wolves ready to ravish the flock. Thus the church remains safe, active, and functioning. Paul himself ministered in such a way for three years in Ephesus, confirming individuals in the fullness of Christ´s truth and love. The way to train future leaders is not through huge meetings, but through unique service and long conversations with those that are chosen by the Lord. The church lasts only where individuals are mutually edified by one another.
Even with all the advice Paul gave this kind apostle knew that advice alone would not truly help, except where there is repentance and vigilance. He immediately turned from the elders to his living Lord. He spoke to Him, and commended to Him the bishops and the church. Jesus alone is the Good Shepherd, who can keep all. Paul put his burden into the hands of Christ, as the guarantor of his faith.
At the same time, the apostle guided his hearers to the only fountain for divine power, which is the word of grace. We find no source for the power of the Spirit, or for the knowledge of God, or for the courage of faith, or for the motivation of love, except in the book of the New Testament. In this manner the apostle implores you to read the Holy Bible prayerfully every day, so that you may not spiritually perish and pass away.
Daily meditation in the word of grace establishes you in Christ and produces in you the fruit of optimistic hope. Every Christian will receive a heavenly portion, not in this world, but in the world to come. Do not expect from your Lord money, honor, houses, health or cars, but seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. We shall inherit the kingdom of our Heavenly Father together with both living and sleeping saints, and not because of any merit we may have, but by His grace alone. He who embraces the world loses heaven. So choose: do you love God, or do you love mammon?
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, keep us from the love of mammon and syncretism, and establish us in the fullness of Your word, that Your grace may give the compass direction to our march. Let us be watchful and prayerful for Your flock. We ask You to save many of those who are going astray, and to keep us from deceivers.
QUESTION:
- Why do the shepherds of God’s flock have to be watchful at all times?