PAUL MEETS WITH THE ELDERS OF EPHESUS

Acts 20:16-17 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

In the three verses preceding the lesson text, we find Paul's fellow laborers in Christ sailing approximately forty miles by ship from Troas around a peninsular to the city of Assos. Since the pronoun "we" is used, Luke, the inspired writer of Acts of the Apostles, was more than likely numbered with Paul's traveling companions. However, as verse 13 tells us, Paul, for some undisclosed reason, chose to travel by foot from Troas to Assos, which happened to be only half the distance that it took to sail to this city. At Assos Paul boarded the ship, and with his companions, sailed on to Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium, and then to Miletus (Vss. 14-15). The lesson text tells us that Paul desired to see the elders of the church at Ephesus once again. Therefore, he sent for them to come to Miletus to meet with him. It is important to note here that these scripturally appointed "elders" of the Ephesian church are, in the following verse 28 are referred to as "overseers," which the revised KJV translates "bishops." Therefore, we know that all three words refer to the same office qualified men are chosen to hold, and they were chosen by members of their specific congregation of the church of Christ. Each is described by Paul as a "bishop" (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

Continuing on with the verses following the lesson text we find that, after the elders of the church of Christ in Ephesus came to him, Paul defends, not only the life he lived, but also the New Testament doctrine of salvation through Christ Jesus, which he taught. They knew of the humbleness and compassion he demonstrated toward them from the first day he came into their presence (Vs. 18-19a). For three months he taught them in the Jewish synagogue, and for two years he taught them the tenets of Christianity in the school of Tyrannus. They also knew of the trials and tribulations, which he suffered by the unbelieving Jews, who condemned his teaching, as well as persecuted and threatened his physical well being (Vs. 19b).

Paul came to Ephesus with no other motive than to preach the gospel of Christ to all that would hear, accept, and believe God's Holy Spirit-inspired message of salvation that he taught. The complete gospel was taught, both publicly, and from house to house and nothing that was profitable unto you was withheld (Vs. 20). Nothing is said in these verses that indicates Paul taught only those things that would be soothing and satisfying in their ears. He did not preach what they wanted to hear. Paul preached only those things that were necessary for them to hear and accept Jesus as the Messiah, their personal Savoir, and be baptized into His body. He did not preach that hearing and believing God's inspired word, repentance from one's past sinful life, confessing Jesus to be the Son of God, and being baptized for the remission of sins were optional acts of obedience. Unlike much erroneous preaching found in today's religious institutions, Paul taught, both Jews and ...Greeks, that, in order to demonstrate one's repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Vs. 21), all of these acts of obedience were necessary and required in order to have the hope of God's promised eternal salvation.

In closing, Paul tells the elders of the church of Christ at Ephesus that he must, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, go unto Jerusalem, knowing assuredly that the bonds and afflictions of anti-Christian persecutors awaited him (Vss. 22-23). Speaking of his suffering for Christ, Paul says that none of these things move me - that is, they did not cause any fear or emotion that would deter him from teaching the gospel of salvation to the world.Why? Paul's answer was that he knew, with certainty, his short physical lifespan here on earth meant far less to him than his spiritual life that would exist eternally. In order for him to spend eternity in heaven, his life on earth was given to serving God and the cause of Christ - to the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (See Vs. 24). Realizing that his departure from these beloved elders of the church of Christ in Ephesus, to whom he had preached the kingdom of God, meant that he would see them no more, Paul left them with this assurance. He had boldly brought them to accept the soul cleansing power found in the blood of Christ Jesus, which reconciled them to the God of heaven. Therefore he could not be held responsible for their "blood" if they failed to find their promised heavenly home, because I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God (Vss. 25-26). The complete gospel of salvation in Christ had been preached unto them!