A Final Farewell
Acts Chapter 20 briefly describes Paul’s travels to Macedonia then to Greece, and in Troas, Paul raised a man from the dead, who had fallen from a three story building (verses 7-12). Next Paul feels compelled to go to Jerusalem and so starts his journey. He sends word to the leaders of the Church in Ephesus to meet him along the way. In this final message he will give to these leaders, Paul emphasizes the trials he went through to preach the Gospel, and the importance of receiving the gospel’s message.
Verses 18-22:
When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
”And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Next Paul warns of the importance of preaching and receiving the whole gospel and to keep on guard against false teachers who will distort the truth and lead men astray.
Verses 25-31:
“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
These verses warn us of the people who only use part of the truth and preach only the parts of the gospel that sound easy and fun. But being a follower of Christ isn’t about getting everything you want and being “blessed” (i.e. Health and Wealth / Prosperity gospel preachers). Following Christ means perusing a never ending loving and devoted relationship with Son who transforms the world one heart at a time through the working of the Holy Spirit to walk according to the will of the Father. Many times this means physical and financial blessings, but at other times, as was the case of Paul for most of the book of Acts, this can mean persecution, danger, and many hardships. But through the power of God who gives His children strength, it will all be worth it in the end when we stand before Christ in Heaven.
The Chapter ends with Paul saying goodbye to his friends from Ephesus and continuing on his journey to Jerusalem.