5. READ: ACTS 20:17-38
[Acts 20:17] "From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for
the elders of the church. [18] 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. [19] I served the Lord
with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested
by the plots of the Jews. [20] 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. [21] I have declared to both Jews
and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith
in our Lord Jesus.
[22] "'And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am
going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. [23]
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison
and hardships are facing me. [24] 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.
[25] "'Now I know that none of you among whom I
have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. [26]
Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood
of all men. [27] For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the
whole Will of God. [28] Keep watch over yourselves and all the
flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds
of the church of God [many manuscripts say 'of the church of
the Lord'], which He bought with His Own blood. [29] I know
that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will
not spare the flock. [30] Even from your own number men will arise
and distort the Truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
[31] So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never
stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
[32] "'Now I commit you to God and to the Word of
His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among
all those who are sanctified. [33] I have not coveted
anyone's silver or gold or clothing. [34] You yourselves know
that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs
of my companions. [35] In everything I did, I showed you that by
this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the Words
the Lord Jesus Himself said: "It is more blessed to give than
to receive."'
[36] "When he had said this, he knelt down with all of
them and prayed. [37] They all wept as they embraced him and kissed
him. [38] What grieved them most was his statement that they would
never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the
ship."
a. What leaders did the church at Ephesus have?
b. What responsibilities had the Holy Spirit given to the elders?
c. What did God purchase His church with?
d. Why did Paul tell the elders to be on their guard?
e. To what did Paul commit the elders?
f. What words of Jesus did Paul quote to them?
