Acts 20:22-24 says, “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul wrote these words knowing that persecution was coming to him. In fact, Acts 20 is Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian church. Paul was going to return to Jerusalem where he knew that nothing but persecution awaited him. Paul was more concerned about the Gospel than he was about anything else. Nothing was going to move or deter him in the ministry. He was going to be joyous about the ministry just as he had always been.

I’m not saying anything surprising when I say that we live in perilous times.Continue reading “Purpose #5 — The Preparation for Persecution”

Acts 20.21 says, “solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul was the first of Christ’s men who actively and aggressively sought to evangelize the Gentiles. Reaching non-Hebrews with the Gospel was not a new concept. Isaiah and other prophets foretold of the Gospel spreading to Gentiles. Christ Himself ministered to Gentiles, such as the woman at the well and the Roman centurion to name two.

Before this encounter with the Ephesian pastors, Paul had written in his letter to the Ephesian church, “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.” (Eph. 2.14-16)

When Christ died on the Cross, He obliterated the differences between Jews and Gentiles. Continue reading “Purpose #4 — The Cooperation of Ministry”

Paul continues in 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,”

We often hear this verse used as justification of door to door evangelism. Let us consider another perspective of this verse. Paul went from door to door of the different groups which comprised the church at Ephesus. The Ephesian church most likely met as small groups (I’m not trying to make a case for or against small groups). This would be one explanation for the numerous elders in the city of Ephesus.

The point here is that Paul went to each of the different groups. By calling the pastors together, as well as meeting with them individually, he was Continue reading “Purpose #3 — The Prevention of Isolation”

Acts 20.18-19 says, “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, 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 spoke to the pastors of the Ephesian church, recalling how he had planted the church. He said, “You remember how I was with you at all seasons.” Continue reading “Purpose #2 — The Support of Connection”