ACTS 20

1 When the uproar had ended,  Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, said good by and set out for Macedonia.

2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,

3 where he stayed three months. Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

4  He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas.

6 But we sailed from Philippi after the feast of Unleavened bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas where we stayed for seven days.

7 On the first day of the week we came together to break  bread. Paul spoke to the people and because he intended to leave the next day, kept talking until midnight.

8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.

9 Seated in the window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.

10 Paul went down and threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him, he said Hes Alive!

11Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daybreak, he left.

12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He made this arrangement because he was going there on foot.

14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboad and went to Mitylene.

15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Kios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.

16  Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible by the day of Pentecost.

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 Soirit 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 Gods 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 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 will distort the truth in order to draw away some 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 anyones 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 said: It is more blessed to give than to recieve.

 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. them they accompanied him to the ship.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28

And they sung a new song, saying , Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; form thou wast slain, and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Revelation 5:9

FAREWELLS AND WARNINGS

 Thomas J. Grace

1 After the trouble at the theater was dismissed by the city clerk Paul calls for the disciples in Ephesus   to come together, they spend some time praying, he encourages them to be faithful to our Lord Jesus. He has spent two years there and would have many friends to speak to before he leaves for Macedonia. 2 In Macedonia he will travel to several cities to encourage the churches he had began in Troas and Philippi. 2 Corinthians 2:12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me. We learn that there was great ministry in cities that are not discussed in the book of Acts places that seem to be refered to as short visits or travel rest stops.  Acts is not a complete journal of all the work done by either Peter or Paul and does not include most of the apostles but tells us the works of Philip, Barnabas, Apollos, James and some other that Paul will  meet and train. Paul arrives in Greece.

     3 Paul remained in Greece for three months where he did write the book of Romans and may have spent some time in Corinth. The Jews had a plot against Paul just as he was about to sail  for Syria by ship, they might have gathered some of the criminals in the city and told them Paul had a large sum of money he was bringing to Jerusalem.  Paul changes his plans and decides to travel through Macedonia. 4 Paul traveled with seven men who might have been one man from each of the seven churches that donated for the church in Jerusalem. They would protect Paul and later report back to their church the conditions of the church in Jerusalem. Timothy also joins Paul he had been sent to Macedonia Acts 19:22. 5 The seven men went ahead and waited in Troas if they were all Greeks they might not want to participate in the Passover that Paul was heading for.

     6 Paul had desired to be in Jerusalem for the Passover as was his custom as often as it was possible. This Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover would be spent in Philippi it may have been he spent Passover in the home of Lydia. Acts 16:14 The Lord opened her heart to respond to Pauls message. She would have a large group of believers that could meet in her home  she did seem to have the gift of hospitality and meeting by the riverside where Paul first met her and did go afterwards. There was no mention of Paul going to the synagogue there.  In Troas they were all gathered together once more and spent seven days there. on a earlier trip to Troas Paul had a vision at night Acts 16:9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, Come to Macedonia and help us. 

     7 Paul and the believers come together to break bread which may have been both a meal and a communion service. Paul on his last night there will keep speaking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the room which gave light and allowed them to stay in this place throughout the night . Seated in the window was Eutychus it must have been a full room and he had the very last place to sit.  Paul talked on and on and he was falling into a deep sleep and was unaware of the harm that was about to happen and would seem to make this happen without any fear or pain. Eutychus was sound asleep when he fell out of the third floor window and was picked up dead. Others went down before Paul maybe Luke who was a doctor was the first to examine him and he was picked up dead. 10 Paul goes to him, covered him with his body and put his arms around him, and said, He is  alive.

     Paul followed the pattern of Elijah 1 Kings 17:21,22  Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the Lord, O Lord my God, let this boys life return to him. The Lord heard Elijahs cry, and the boys life returned to him and he lived.  Elisha will do something very like Elijah who might have told Elisha the story about the young boy and Elisha may have met the young boy also. 2 Kings 4:34,35 Then he got on the bed  and lay upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the boys body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room  and then got on the bed and stretched out upon him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Peter who had the benefit of seeing Jesus raise three people from the dead Acts 9:40 Peter sent them all out of the room: then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, Tabitha, get up. She opened her eyes and seeing Peter she sat up.  This seemed to be close to what Jesus had done when with Jairus the synagogue rulers daughter Mark 5:40-42 After He put them all out, He took the childs father and mother and the disciples who were with Him, and went in where the child was.He took her by the hand and said to her, Talitha kowm which means, Little girl I say to you, get up.  Just as Elisha would ask Elijah about the boy he prayed for to come back to life,

     Paul during one of his visits to Jerusalem must have asked Peter to tell the story of how Dorcas was raised from the dead. Later Peter when he heard that Paul prayed for Eutychus and he came back to life Peter may have been relieved that he was not the only person this happened with. Getting back to Paul in Acts 19:11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul. Was this a special power only for Ephesians or would this miracle power remain with Paul for the rest of his life. Paul himself who has already wrote the book of Romans says Romans 11:29 For Gods gifts and  His call are irrevocable.  Now was this a special gift from God to Paul only or is this a special gift to all men that Paul was the man who acted and used the power and promises that God made for all men.

     Peter had a time when he saw great miracles after he prayed Acts 4:29-31 Now Lord consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your Holy Servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.  The answer to this prayer and filling of the Holy Spirit is best seen in Acts 5:15 ,16 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peters shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick, and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

     Both men Peter and Paul did raise one person from the dead and had times of special miracles Peters because he was faithful after a arrest and threatening warning not to preach in the name of Jesus again. He prayed for more boldness to teach the word of God and for  signs and wonders in the name of the Holy Servant Jesus. Paul who was about to face a enemy of idol temple worshippers in Corinth was promised his safety if he spoke boldly in Corinth Acts 18:9,10 and granted extraordinary miracles in Ephesus.Acts 19:12 so that handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

     Just as Moses did many miracles in Egypt and in the wilderness for forty years, Joshua also did some of the very same miracles as Moses parted the Red Sea  Genesis 14:21 Joshua Parted the Jordan River Joshua 3:16 . Elijah and Elisha did the same miracle as both men parted the Jordan River. 2 Kings 2:14 then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah? he asked . When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. This is what Elijah had done earlier in verse  2 Kings 2:8. When Moses and Joshua parted the waters it was for millions to cross over on dry land. These men Elijah and Elisha did this miracle for there own single person crossing and to prove that God had given the double portion of His power to Elisha. What God did for millions He also did for one 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Each time a person came back from the dead people would believe this was a one time miracle that would not be repeated, but Jesus did this three times. When Paul did raise the boy from the dead was that to be the final time this miracle would happen. No even the scripture tells us this will happen again Revelation 11:11,12 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven  saying to them, Come up here. And they went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies looked on. God clearly shows that this is still possible that it will be Gods own will to continue to raise someone from the dead.

     We can not deny that this and all other miracles are still possible in our time and even more so in the last days when miracles are promised which we are now in the last days today. We have examined some of the last days doom scriptures now we should look at some of the last days promises of Gods power during these times. Matthew 24:14 And the gospel of this kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. This is the order of our lifetime just as Paul obeyed when told do not be silent we are commanded to bring the gospel to the whole world. If we obey as Peter and Paul did will we see miracles equal to Peters shadow and Pauls handkerchiefs or will we see greater miracles. 

      Lets examine some of Gods promises for the last days Joel 2:28-32 God states He will pour out His Spirit on all people who will prophesy and see visions, there will be wonders in heaven and earth before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And God promises that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. We should expect a great revival soon led by the Holy Spirit with miracles as evidence that Gods love for mankind still exist in this world.  Habakkuk 1:5 Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.  Here is a scripture  that makes great promises do we believe that God can do all the great things we can only hope for, plus even greater things that will amaze us beyond what we could think and ask. Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.  John 14:12 I tell you the truth  he who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. Jesus speaking to the apostles does not say you men will do greater works He states anyone who has faith.  We are living in the days when we will witness the great works and gifts of the Holy Spirit and direct acts of God from heaven in this world.

     11 They went back upstairs and broke bread. They stayed until daybreak talking no one else fell asleep. They would have spent much of this time thanking God for returning life to this young man. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were very comforted. How would seeing such a great miracle affect their work and ministry as they would certainly have more faith than when this meeting began. Did God know a reason that these people needed a demonstration of His great power to help them spread the story of Christ and help them remain certain in their own faith.  There was not a special reason for this young man to be brought back to life, Lazarus and his sisters were friends of Jesus Elijah and Elisha both knew the young boys they prayed for to come back to life. Dorcas was a woman that helped many other women  and served the Lord , . Paul did not bring the young man with him to testify to others and we do not hear about him again.

     13 Paul travels by foot to Assos where the others had sailed and would meet him there it would be a twenty mile walk, the others must have believed he would be safe on this journey. 14 In Assos we went to Mitylene. 15 The ships made more stops at Kios and Samos and Miletus. 16 Paul decides not to return to Ephesus so it would be possible to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost he had already missed the Passover feast. 17 In Miletus Paul sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus to come there and visit with him.  Paul had appointed many elders when the churches he began  as the new leaders when he left and later wrote about the position and qualifications. 1 Timothy 3; and Titus chapter 1 18  Paul addresses the elders stateing how they all knew how he had lived among them in Ephesus.

     19  While I was with you I served the Lord whith humility and with tears, I did not present myself as a great leader or a professor who has teaching that is wiser than any you have heard before that you must obey. You are aware that even though I went and preached to the Jews in their own synagogue they made plots against me and caused others to be angry with me and put my life in danger. 20 For the two years I was with you I taught you more completely than anywhere else I have been before. In the school at Tyannus and from house to house I taught you daily so that you would understand all that God has done, the need for our Savior Jesus Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit and the return of Christ and our life everlasting. Pauls letter to the Ephesians is evidence that his teaching there was superior as he addresses them and speaks of issues such as spiritual warfare,  salvation by grace, how we were choosen and destined and known by God before the world began.  Paul enjoyed the small groups that would meet in the homes and it may have been here that he trained the elders and new leaders that would leave and bring the gospel to new cities and people. They may have left with the aprons that helped heal the sick as a sign of Gods power to people who would be hearing the gospel for the first time.

     21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks and have never departed from the message that all must come to God and repent and believe in our Lord Jesus. I never ceased to preach Jesus Christ as our Savior, about His life, His death and how He was raised from the dead and His presence with the Father in heaven now.  22 Now compelled by the Spirit I am going to Jerusalem. Paul clearly states here the Spirit is sending him while he is warned by others not to go to Jerusalem and the Spirit is speaking to them to tell them what will happen to Paul. It is the voice of the people that say do not go. These people even Prophets see what will happen to Paul in Jerusalem and of course believe this is a warning for Paul to stay away from danger but it is not. It is a word from God what will happen but in each vision or prophecy there is no word from God that Paul should not go only mans advise not to go. Paul is compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem.

     23 Paul has heard in every city from many people that hardships and prison awaits him. The Spirit speaks to him and through others that he is  about to be in danger. How easy it would have been to accept these warnings and go somewhere else and not visit Jerusalem. There would be many places Paul could have returned to and he would have been kept safe from all harm. Paul at this time still has no certain word from God that he will not be killed in Jerusalem just as James had been. 24 Paul states that his life is worth nothing to him and that it is only Gods will that he live and continue the work he is doing. If my work is not complete I will live and go on testifying about the gospel of Gods grace. It is my desire to complete the work God has given me to do and only God will know when that is finished. At that time I will be happy to go be with the lord.

     25 I do know that I will not see any of you again I have preached to you and your friends and neighbors both Jews and Greeks and shall not return to Ephesus again. 26 Paul declares he is innocent of all blood of all men. Once again we hear the watchman character of Paul that Ezekiel  33:1-20 speaks of as Paul declares his work done as he has preached and warned all to repent and believe. 

     Paul assumed a personal responsibility for the salvation of the lost that he must present the gospel to his enemies, those who were deep in unbelief, pagans, idol worshippers, to people and places that would put him in danger and cause him harm. 27 I have taught you the whole will of God which would be for all to believe in His Son Jesus Christ. The will of Christ that all will repent and be with him in the home that He has prepared for all of us that believe in  Him. The will of the Holy Spirit that we live Godly lives and bring the gospel to all who will believe. 28 He tells them and begins to warn them watch over yourselves and the flock he would remind them of the Jerusalem councils instructions. Be careful stay pure and remember Jesus always, use the gifts of the Holy Spirit and remember the many things I have taught you and more that we have learned together. Be shepherds watch carefully so that none will be lost, these are the people you care for that Christ has bought with His own blood. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace. Hebrews 9:12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;  but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, Having obtained eternal redemption.  We can not allow those He died for to be decieved and lost after His own death is the reason for their salvation. All our work would mean nothing compared to the death of Christ is the only way that makes their salvation possible. It is His own work that makes our work possible we merely deliver the message of the work He has completed.

     29 Savage wolves will come among you the temple of Artmis is still in Ephesus and will attack you, Demetrius and the craftsmen will soon create new problems, even the Jews will find new ways to persecute you.  Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheeps clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 30 Even in the church some will  distort the truth to take some of the disciples and become a new leader and teacher. Paul writes to the church at Corinth 1 Corinthians 5:5 Hand this man over to satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his Spirit saved on the day of the Lord. Paul speaks of other false teachers that  come from and enter the church. also John warns us 2 John  :7 Many decievers who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is a deciever and the antichrist. False teachers have filled the world today they have taken the name of Christ, denied His return and abused some of His teaching to decieve large parts of the world. Lets keep in mind the words of Christ to the church of Ephesus Remember your first love.

     31 Remember how many times I have warned you, and you have seen all the danger the gospel has caused me. They must have seen many false teachers that would have come to the church even while Paul was there. 32  I commit you to God as Jesus had promised all that the Father has given Him He will not loose any. And to the word of His grace His favor that He loves to share with us.  And bring a inherirance for those sanctified. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 It is Gods will that you be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality. 2 Thessalonians  2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, Because from the beginning God choose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. We learn that to be sanctified is the work of the Spirit to help us seperate ourself from sin.  we are washed just as Jesus washed the feet of the apostles we become seperated from sin and nearer to God. As you feel your desire to sin fade away and you feel the Holy Spirit enter your heart you are changed. 1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were.

     But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Once again we learn that all three God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are still working in each person to help us be sanctified, If this is important to God how much more should this mean to us. Pray and begin to ask the Holy Spirit to help us in our battle against sin. 33 Paul states how he has earned his own living and has not sought anyone to help support him. 34 You have seen me work as a tentmaker that has provided all the needs of me and my companions. 35 I have showed you by hard work that I have done we must also help the weak and remember what the Lord said. It is more blessed to give than to recieve. These are the only words that Paul tells us that were not spoken at the time he must have heard them. They are the only words of Christ  Paul speaks that does not have a special message concerning his work. Paul often quotes David in the Psalms, Isaiah and other prophets from the scriptures, he must have told some of the stories about Jesus and qupted him many times but this is the only time it is in the book of Acts and it is not found in any of the gospels.  We should have no doubt that Jesus who sacrificed everything and Himself and did recieve the greatest rewards of all from His Father that He is ready to share with us would have said such a statement for us to follow.

     36 Paul kneels and prays. 37 They would embrace and kiss Paul as he prepared to depart. 38 They were all grieved that they would not see him again because they understood he would be in danger in Jerusalem and might be arrested or murdered there.  1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer. Paul would have visited Ephesus and Timothy at this time many years later.  They all went with Paul and the others as he went to the ship that would bring him to Jerusalem and a ministry that will keep him in prison for several years.

CHRIST LOVES YOU. AMEM. COME LORD JESUS