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“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.” (Acts 20:28)

Today’s text brings us to the key message the Apostle Paul endeavored to communicate to the Ephesian church elders. This is his charge. These are his final thoughts about their pastoral responsibilities.

He commands and instructs them to pay careful attention. This is a present active imperative. It is a command by which the Ephesian elders are to pattern their lives and ministry each and every day. To pay attention is to be on the lookout or to carefully consider.

What the apostle wants the elders to pay attention to, to be on the lookout for, and to carefully consider is not only their own lives, but also the lives of their church flock. The reason for this careful consideration is because the Holy Spirit has set them apart as overseers for the church in Ephesus. An overseer (ἐπίσκοπος; episkopos) is a guardian or church leader.

This guardianship involves caring for the church which ultimately belongs to God. It is not their church but rather God’s. He created it, He owns it and He will sustain it. However, He has chosen these elders to care for it as faithful stewards of God’s grace (I Corinthians 4:1-2).

The church is so important to God because it was obtained by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The believers are valuable. All believes in Christ are valuable.

One commentator writes, “The picture here is of loving leaders manifesting a deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the people under their care. They are to be closely involved in the lives of Christians and able to teach, counsel, instruct and guide.”

Take the opportunity today to encourage your pastor and church elders. Let them know that you are thankful for them as they protect the church flock. Let them know that you praying for them as they serve.

Soli deo Gloria!

^25 “And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, ²⁷ for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:25–27)

Final words. If you knew you were saying goodbye to someone and would probably never see them again, this side of heaven, what would be your final words to them? Perhaps it might be, “Take care of yourself,”  “be well and be safe,” “until we meet again,” or as Rick Blaine said to Ilsa Lund at the Casablanca airport, “Here’s looking at you kid.”

More than likely, if we had any affection for the individual in question, we would say “I love you.” We can be quite certain the Apostle Paul possessed deep affection for the Ephesian believers in general, and the Ephesian church elders in particular.

As today’s text indicated, Paul was sure that he would never see these elders again. One commentator writes, “He (Paul) isn’t necessarily expecting to die soon, he knows he will pass through Jerusalem alive an eventually visit Rome. But he cannot guess how long these events might take, and there are other fields beyond that he wishes to visit, especially Spain (Romans 15:23-29).”

What Paul does tell them is that he had done his duty. He has declared to them, and to the church at large, the whole counsel of God. Therefore, the duty to watch and warn people, respectively the converted along with the unconverted, is now theirs.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “A grave responsibility is placed upon the Ephesian elders. But modern elders bear the same responsibility – to watch over the souls of their people. Do all that you can to encourage your elders. Invite them to your home for a meal, praise them and thank them frequently, and pray fervently for them. Seek to make their service a joy.”  

Amen! Have a blessed day and may each of us be a blessing to our church elders.

Soli deo Gloria!

^22 “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by 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.” (Acts 20:22–24)

Paul was speaking to the Ephesian church elders and charged them to take on the full measure of leadership of the congregation. In yesterday’s passage (Acts 20:17-21), he referred to himself as a worthy example, having selflessly served the Lord as a bond slave.

What is a legacy? Some assign it the meaning of a financial inheritance. A legacy is what the deceased left in his/her will and bequeathed to those who are living relatives and friends.

However, a legacy is more than money. It is a heritage. It is what an individual is known for and for what he/she will be remembered. What accomplishments did they achieve? What was their character? What was their reputation?

What was the Apostle Paul’s legacy? He states what it was in today’s text. It was the foremost characteristic for which he wished to be known. Paul’s legacy was “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul shared with the Ephesian church elders that he was going to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit was compelling him, even though he did not know exactly what would happen upon his arrival. However, Paul did know that imprisonment and afflictions were waiting for him.

But it did not matter to Paul. He said, “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.”  What was the course and the ministry for which Paul sought to finish? It was “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Paul wished to not only leave, but to live to the fullest, the legacy the Lord gave him.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Nevertheless, even the gloomy prospect of imprisonment and abuse cannot sway him (Paul) from obedience. In fact, he is ready to suffer much more if God so commands, even the loss of his life. His only goal is to know the joy of being a faithful bondservant, a trusty slave of Christ, to the end of his days. He wants to carry out the mission given to him by Christ: to be a witness to the Gospel of grace (Acts 9:15).”

What is the legacy you are leaving behind to your family, friends and acquaintances? What will they remember about you? What will you be known for after you have died and gone home to be with the Lord? May each of us mirror the words of the apostle in being a witness to the gospel of the grace of God. This is not only a legacy to leave, but to live.

Soli deo Gloria!     

^17 “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. ¹⁸ And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; ²⁰ how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, ²¹ testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:17–21)

Acts 20:17 begins a wonderful passage of Scripture depicting the heart of a pastor for the health and wellbeing of a congregation and its elders. The pastor in question is the Apostle Paul. The elders and congregation is the church at Ephesus. The time and culture could be our very own for opposition to the Gospel, and attacks from within and from outside the church, remains a clear and present danger.

Paul avoided stopping in Ephesus as he journeyed to Jerusalem. However, while in Miletus he sent for the Ephesian church elders to come and join him. The elders were the ordained representatives of the Ephesian congregation. God called them to be overseers and shepherds of the church of God (20:28; I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

Paul had some important things to say, which the elders needed to hear. The elders complied with Paul’s request and soon joined him at Miletus.

Paul began his pastoral counsel and encouragement to the Ephesian church elders by reviewing his two-three year ministry with them at Ephesus (Acts 19:10; 20:31). He shared that he had lived among them, and not detached from them. In other words, Paul knew what kind of church they were and they knew what kind of pastor he was.

He explained that he served the Lord there with humility, tears and trials because of the adversarial plots by the unbelieving Jews in Ephesus. However, even during those difficult days Paul never shirked from his God ordained responsibility of declaring to the elders, and the congregation, the profitable Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He taught them both in public settings, and also in private visits at people’s homes.

Finally, he related the Gospel of God, which included repentance of sin towards God and also faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Even today, both Jews and Gentiles must solely come to God in repentance of sin (Acts 26:20) and trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and worship of Jesus Christ.

If you are a pastor, continue to be faithful in your God ordained responsibilities (2 Timothy 4:1-5). If you are a member of a local congregation, take time today to encourage your pastor(s) for the work God does through them.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹³ “But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. ¹⁴ And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. ¹⁵ And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and^[a] the day after that we went to Miletus. ¹⁶ For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.” (Acts 20:13-16)

Luke often summarizes Paul’s journeys in the Acts of the Apostles. Today’s text is one such summary. Paul was on his journey to Jerusalem in order to deliver an offering from Gentile churches to the believers in Judea and Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-27; I Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9).

Paul’s journey involved having his companions set sail from Troas for Assos, while he traveled to Assos by land. Assos was a seaport of Mysia in the Roman province of Asia (Minor) and off the coast of the Agean Sea… The Roman writer Pliny identified the town as having been founded by the kings of Pergamum and called Apollonia. Assos was located on the top and terraced sides of an inactive volcanic cone 770 feet (234.6 meters) in height. The Greek philosopher Aristotle lived there for several years. It was also the birthplace of Cleanthes, a Stoic poet quoted by Paul (Acts 17:28). Today Assos is known as Behram Kevi.

When Paul met Luke and the others with him at Assos, they sailed to Mitylene. Mitylene was the main city on the island of Lesbos in the Aegean Sea near the northwestern coast of Asia Minor. Mitylene was a seaport with two harbors. Originally it had been built on a small island separate from Lesbos. In NT times it was connected with the main island by a raised roadway across a narrow stretch of water.

Sailing from Mitylene, the travelers arrived the next day at Chios. Chios remains a rocky, mountainous island in the east-central area of the Aegean Sea. Though not particularly fertile, Chios (Kios) was nevertheless noted for its wine, figs, and gum mastic. It is separated from the mainland by a five-mile (8-kilometer) strait. In Paul’s day its principal city, Kios (modern Scio), was a free city in the Roman province of Asia.

The next day, Paul and his companions arrived by ship to Samos. Samos is a small Greek island located off the coast of Asia Minor in the Aegean Sea near the promontory of Trogyllium. This Ionian island was positioned southwest of Ephesus and northwest of Miletus. In Paul’s day, it was a prosperous commercial center and considered autonomous by Rome. In his wish to bypass Ephesus, Paul anchored near Samos on his journey to Jerusalem at the close of his third missionary journey.

Leaving Samos, the next day Paul arrived in Miletus. Miletus was an Important Greek city located at the mouth of the Meander River. It was settled by Crete as early as 1339–1288 bc. Miletus had contact with the Hittite Empire. Her king, in fact, was claimed as a vassal by the Hittite ruler. Excavations indicate that Miletus, once destroyed by fire, was later surrounded by a defensive wall (13th century bc). Miletus became an important city in the ancient world. Her traders carried the furniture and woolens for which she was known to many foreign ports.

Paul and his companions conducted this so-called island hopping journey in order to bypass staying in Ephesus. Tensions may have still been running high in the aftermath of the riot (Acts 19:21-41). Also, Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost and a visit to Ephesus might have required him to stay for some time.

My reason for taking the time to survey these various cities is the same as Luke’s. It is to demonstrate that Paul was a historical person who visited historical cities and ports existing in the ancient world. Paul’s life and ministry can be historically verified. The apostle was not a myth and neither was, is, the Gospel he preached.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter One: The Holy Scriptures. Part 5.

8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical;^a so as in all controversies of religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them.^b 

But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them,^c therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come,^d that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner,^e and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.^f

a. Mat 5:18. • b. Isa 8:20; John 5:39, 46; Acts 15:15. • c. John 5:39. • d. 1 Cor 14:6, 9, 11-12, 24, 27-28. • e. Col 3:16. • f. Rom 15:4.

Soli deo Gloria!

^16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)

Since Romans is primarily a work of rich theological doctrine, it contains little historical material. Paul does use such familiar OT figures as Abraham (ch. 4), David (4:6–8), Adam (5:12–21), Sarah (9:9), Rebekah (9:10), Jacob and Esau (9:10–13), and Pharaoh (9:17) as illustrations. He also recounts some of Israel’s history (chs. 9–11). Chapter 16 provides insightful glimpses into the nature and character of the first-century church and its members.

The overarching theme of Romans is the righteousness that comes from God: the glorious truth that God justifies guilty, and condemned sinners by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. Chapters 1–11 present the theological truths of that doctrine, while chs. 12–16 detail its practical outworking in the lives of individual believers and the life of the whole church.

Some specific theological topics include principles of spiritual leadership (1:8–15); God’s wrath against sinful mankind (1:18–32); principles of divine judgment (2:1–16); the universality of sin (3:9–20); an exposition and defense of justification by faith alone (3:21–4:25); the security of salvation (5:1–11); the transference of Adam’s sin (5:12–21); sanctification (chs. 6–8); sovereign election (ch. 9); God’s plan for Israel (ch. 11); spiritual gifts and practical godliness (ch. 12); the believer’s responsibility to human government (ch. 13); and principles of Christian liberty (14:1–15:12).

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “As the preeminent doctrinal work in the NT, Romans naturally contains a number of difficult passages. Paul’s discussion of the perpetuation of Adam’s sin (5:12–21) is one of the deepest, most profound theological passages in all of Scripture. The nature of mankind’s union with Adam and how his sin was transferred to the human race has always been the subject of intense debate.”

Additionally, Bible students also disagree on whether 7:7–25 describes Paul’s experience as a believer or as an unbeliever, or is a literary device not intended to be autobiographical at all.

The closely related doctrines of election (8:28–30) and the sovereignty of God (9:6–29) have challenged many believers. Others question whether chs. 9–11 teach that God has a future plan for the nation of Israel. Some have ignored Paul’s teaching on the believer’s obedience to human government (13:1–7) in the name of Christian activism, while others have used it to defend slavish obedience to totalitarian regimes.

I encourage you to take the time to study the Epistle to the Romans. Following our completion of the life, ministry and theology of the Apostle Pau, Romans will be out next study at hiswordtoday.org.

Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7).

The City of Rome was the capital and the most important city of the Roman Empire. It was founded in 753 B.C., but is not mentioned in Scripture until NT times. Rome is located along the banks of the Tiber River, about 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. Until an artificial harbor was built at nearby Ostia, Rome’s main harbor was Puteoli, some 150 miles away (Acts 28:13).

In Paul’s lifetime, the city had a population of over one million people, many of whom were slaves. Rome boasted magnificent buildings, such as the emperor’s palace, the Circus Maximus, and the Forum, but its beauty was marred by the slums in which so many lived. According to tradition, Paul was martyred outside Rome on the Ostian Way during Nero’s reign (A.D. 54–68).

Some of those converted on the day of Pentecost probably founded the church at Rome (cf. Acts 2:10). Paul had long sought to visit the Roman church, but had been prevented from doing so (Rom. 1:13). In God’s providence, Paul’s inability to visit Rome gave the world this inspired masterpiece of gospel doctrine.

Paul’s primary purpose in writing Romans was to teach the great truths of the gospel of grace to believers who had never received apostolic instruction. The letter also introduced him to a church where he was personally unknown, but hoped to visit soon for several important reasons: to edify the believers (1:11); to preach the gospel (1:15); and to get to know the Roman Christians, so they could encourage him (1:12; 15:32), better pray for him (15:30), and help him with his planned ministry in Spain (15:28).

Unlike some of Paul’s other epistles (e.g., 1, 2 Corinthians, Galatians), his purpose for writing was not to correct incorrect theology or rebuke ungodly living. The Roman church was doctrinally sound, but, like all churches, it was in need of the rich doctrinal and practical instruction this letter provides.

More to come.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day weekend in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty Two: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows. Part 3.

5. A vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath, and ought to be made with the like religious care, and to be performed with like faithfulness.^a

a. Isa 19:21; Psa 61:8; 66:13-14; Eccl 5:4-6.

6. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone:^a and that it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or for the obtaining of what we want; whereby we more strictly bind ourselves to necessary duties, or to other things, so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto.^b

a. Psa 76:11; Jer 44:25-26. • b. Gen 28:20-22; Deut 23:21, 23; 1 Sam 1:11; Psa 50:14; 66:13-14; 132:2-5.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1 (ESV)

This epistle’s name comes from its original recipients: the members of the church in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire. “To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1:7).

No one questions that the apostle Paul wrote Romans. Like his namesake, Israel’s first king (Saul was Paul’s Hebrew name; Paul his Greek name), Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil. 3:5). As we have previously noted, he was also a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37; 22:25). Paul was born about the time of Christ’s birth, in Tarsus (Acts 9:11), an important city (Acts 21:39) in the Roman province of Cilicia, located in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). He spent much of his early life in Jerusalem as a student of the celebrated rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Like his father before him, Paul was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6), a member of the strictest Jewish sect (cf. Phil. 3:5).

When converted while on his way to Damascus (c. A.D. 33–34) to arrest Christians in that city, Saul/Paul immediately began proclaiming the gospel message (Acts 9:20). After narrowly escaping from Damascus with his life (Acts 9:23–25; 2 Cor. 11:32–33), Paul spent three years in Nabatean Arabia, south and east of the Dead Sea (Gal. 1:17–18). During that time, he received much of his doctrine as direct revelation from the Lord (Gal. 1:11–12).

Arguably, Paul was responsible for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. He made three missionary journeys through much of the Mediterranean world, tirelessly preaching the gospel he had once sought to destroy (Acts 26:9). After he returned to Jerusalem bearing an offering for the needy in the church there, he was falsely accused by some Jews (Acts 21:27–29), savagely beaten by an angry mob (Acts 21:30–31), and arrested by the Romans.

Though two Roman governors, Felix and Festus, as well as Herod Agrippa, did not find him guilty of any crime, pressure from the Jewish leaders kept Paul in Roman custody. After two years, the apostle exercised his right as a Roman citizen and appealed his case to Caesar. After a harrowing trip (Acts 27–28), including a violent, two-week storm at sea that culminated in a shipwreck, Paul reached Rome. Eventually released for a brief period of ministry, Paul was arrested again and suffered martyrdom at Rome in A.D. 65–67 (cf. 2 Tim. 4:6).

Though physically unimpressive (cf. 2 Cor. 10:10; Gal. 4:14), Paul possessed an inner strength through the Holy Spirit’s power (Phil. 4:13). The grace of God proved sufficient to provide for his every need (2 Cor. 12:9–10), enabling this noble servant of Christ to successfully finish his spiritual race (2 Tim. 4:7).

Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, as the references to Phoebe (Rom. 16:1, Cenchreae was Corinth’s port), Gaius (Rom. 16:23), and Erastus (Rom. 16:23)—all of whom were associated with Corinth—indicate. The apostle wrote the letter toward the close of his third missionary journey (most likely in A.D. 56), as he prepared to leave for Israel with an offering for the poor believers in the Jerusalem church (Rom. 15:25). Phoebe was given the great responsibility of delivering this letter to the Roman believers (16:1–2).

More to come.

Soli deo Gloria!