The Holy Spirit in Acts
Day 30 — Farewell to Ephesian Elders: Holy Spirit Warns & Assigns Post
Acts 20:17-38
After preaching a sermon lasting to midnight in Troas and resuscitating a boy who fell asleep and fell 3 stories, Paul was feeling the pressure to get on to Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost. Sailing down the coast of Asia Minor he decided to skip Ephesus, but wanted to spend time with the Elders from Ephesus in Miletus which was 30 miles south. So He sent for them and they had a rich time of fellowship and weeping over the fact that they would no longer see each other.
Paul reviews his ministry with them:
1. I was with you the whole time—3 years total
a. 3 months persuading in synagogue
b. 24 months discipling in School of Tyrranus
2. Served with humility through tears and trials of Jewish plots
3. Boldly taught you all things profitable
4. Taught you publicly and house to house.
5. Testified of repentance to God and faith in Jesus to Jews and Greeks
6. My life not dear to me, I must finish the course and ministry from Jesus.
7. I am to testify of the gospel of grace of God
8. I am innocent of the blood of all men, I gave the full message to them
9. I have coveted no one’s silver, gold or clothes
10. I supported myself with my own hands, showing you to help the weak
Warnings for the Elders:
1. The Holy Spirit has made you shepherd to oversee the precious blood-bought church
2. Be on your guard for yourself and the flock
3. Savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock
a. They will come from within
b. Speaking perverse things
c. Drawing disciples away
4. Remember my admonitions with tears
5. I am commending you to God and to the word of His grace which builds you up
Questions:
1. After Paul received the assurance from the Lord in Acts 18:9,10 that no harm would befall him in Corinth,
he got a different message from the Holy Spirit here.
Do you think his trust was built by this revelation? [yes, but the new info was sobering]
What was his attitude at this point in his ministry? [all in, nothing to lose. Trusting God with outcome]
2. When Paul heard from the Tyre disciples and Agabus that he would be bound and that the
Spirit was telling them he shouldn’t go, how do you reconcile that Paul did not heed
these exhortations that are labeled as “by the Spirit?”
3. Who appointed the elders—Paul or the Holy Spirit?
4. How should an elder see his responsibilities?
Note: We will see in coming studies (1 Corinthians 12) that all of the parts of the body of Christ
are directed by the Holy Spirit and not by the members.
The Holy Spirit in Acts
Day 31 When Other’s Warnings in the Spirit… Acts 20:22-24
Reflection, Notes and Prayer