Comments for November 7

4:4    Deut 17:12 speaks of how one who disregarded the words of the priest was to be dealt with.

4:3    notice therefore shall the land mourn. The godless behaviour impacts on the inanimate land. How was this? We learn elsewhere that God sends drought and other pestilences on the land because of Israel’s rebelliousness. This is how the land would  “mourn”.

4:2 we can doubtless see godlessness in stealing etc. But notice that the prophet accuses them of “killing”. We should realise that those who were godless would stop at nothing – not even murder – to achieve their ends. So godless and depraved was the northern kingdom at this time.

4:1Society today places great emphasis on “knowledge”. Truth and “mercy” are not words that seem to figure highly in conversation today. Indeed society encourages us to have our own “truth” – that which is true for ourselves but not necessarily the same as others believe. But notice the order in which God places them in His inspired word. “Truth” and “mercy” come before “knowledge”. Adam and Eve thought that they had “knowledge” when they listened to the serpent but in reality they did not have “truth”. We must resist the temptation to show knowledge when we should be showing mercy because of the truth revealed in God’s word.

4:4-5  By the time Hosea was speaking to the northern kingdom of Israel a substantial number of the faithful priests had left the north and moved to the less rebellious kingdom of Judah in the south. However this did not stop the people opposing those priests who were left in the north.

How do we react when we are told things that we do not like, even when what we are told is right?

4:12 The contemporary prophet Isaiah speaks often about the making of idols by the people. Hosea makes the same point. The “whoredoms” are the turning away from Yahweh to these “stocks” rather than to sexual immorality even though sexual immorality was often associated with the worshiping of the idols.

v.7-11 - This is the only occasion we are told of an all night vigil of this sort, but it is described with a certain matter-of-factness that makes me inclined to feel that it was not that rare an occurrence. They were so full of the things of God that they could not stop talking about them. Are we?

20:1 Paul having established the ecclesia moves on - but we note (20:31) that he had spent three years in Ephesus consolidating the work.
20:13 Notice at this point that Luke takes a different route from Paul. We have to realise that Luke was not always with Paul in his journeying.

:13 Another indication of a time when Luke was not with Paul. We should not assume that even though Luke wrote the Acts that he was with Paul all the time. It is not Luke's diary or his journeys. It is the record given by the Holy Spirit.
Peter Forbes

20: 17-31 Paul, when writing to Timothy, draws on the language of the sea shore and the elders from Ephesus.
Acts 20:23 afflictions 2 Timothy 1:8
Acts 20:24 none of those things ... 2 Timothy 1:7
Acts 20:31 tears 2 Timothy 1:4
This is because the letters to Timothy are written to him whilst he was in Ephesus.

20:33 Following on my comment in May this year notice 'I have coveted no man's silver, or gold or apparel' quotes Moses again (Lev 16:15) where, it seems, that there were accusations against Moses' integrity which we know was often a problem for Paul.

V.35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive" This saying of Jesus is not recorded in the Gospel records. However the Lord's teaching was consistent with this. 2Cor 8:9  We also have the words recorded by Luke in his Gospel "Give and it shall be given unto you"

ETERNAL THINGS
 
When Paul popped in at Ephesus on his way through to Jerusalem, he told them many things.  Two points from what he said stood out for me in particular.  The first one was that none of them would ever see him again, and the second was that after his departure people would come into the church like savage wolves and distort the truth, drawing many disciples away after them.  At the end of his short time with the believers they prayed, wept, embraced, kissed and then parted company.
 
We read this of the Ephesians: "What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again." (Acts 20:38)  When we love someone, the fact that we may not see them again has a real pull on the emotions.  It will cause us to grieve and weep.  Yet we also know that if we are in the Lord, we will meet again at the return of the Lord Jesus.  The uniting we will share will far outshine any grief we might have had today.  Paul's departure was really only temporary.
 
Perhaps what should have grieved them more, and should concern and grieve us also, was that disciples from their own number were going to be lost from the faith - eternally.  Something still future does not pull on the heart strings so much, but in this case requires much more energy and concentration.
 
Let's be sure we focus on things that are eternal.

V.33-35 - Paul took care of not only his financial needs but those of others. He wasn't in it for the money.

V.19 Serving here means to serve as a bond slave; (douleuo 398) It is an exhortation to all to consider themselves under bondage to Christ, not free to do their own will, but to be ready at all times to serve the Lord in His Work. We must remember that our spare time is not our own. If spare time is used in the Lord's Service, the bond slave is giving no more than his reasonable service.

20:28 When brethren were described as ‘overseers’ the great responsibility of that task is demonstrated by the way in which Paul describes what they were to take care of. It was the ecclesia. But the way Paul describes its origins highlights the responsibility . It was ‘purchased with his own blood’. Not doing the job properly would mean that some who Jesus had died for would be lost.

V.4 All the travellers would have carried the contribution from the places named with them. It is interesting to note that no one is mentioned by Luke as being from Corinth in Achaia. Why is this? We certainly do not know, but it is suggested by many writers that Titus may have been entrusted with the contributions from the believers in Corinth. It is also worth noting that Titus is not mentioned by Luke in his recording of the events concerning the first century ecclesias.

v 26-29  Paul's words here are reminiscent of Ezekiel's description of the watchman & his responsibility Eze 33  Of course it also echoes the imagery of the Lord Jesus concerning shepherding the flock John 10

20:24  Paul is so single minded in his purpose that he was willing to accept troubles though he could easily have avoided them by changing his plans.

20:24 The grace of God was the power of the Holy Spirit which was given to the apostles to preach the gospel to the world. This grace was given to Paul for the express purpose of enabling him to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph 3:8) The grace was given also, to enable the Gentiles to understand the mystery of the gospel which aforetime was hidden, but is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit (Eph 3:5,5.9-10)

Eutychus means fortunate. He was aptly named since the Spirit revived him by the hand of Paul (vs.9,10).

20:11 The misfortune of Eutychus provided an opportunity for God’s grace to be seen. How often do we look for good when something untoward happens to us?

20:16 So Paul did not stop at Ephesus even though he passed by and there was a small group of believers there who were all very young in the faith. Maybe the reason why Paul did not see the need to stop there was because he was confident in the abilities of Timothy to take care of them. 1Tim 1:3

V.7 Sunday has become the day of meeting to break bread based on this verse. We have ordered our lives around it and it has become convenient. However, it is not a divine law and we are free to break bread on as many days or occasions as we wish.

Vs.22,24,26,27 Show the faith and confidence of Paul. Although he did not know what was in store for him at Jerusalem, he was prepared to lose his life knowing that he had given a good account of himself. This is an excellent attitude for us to emulate.

Vs.29,30 We look back through history and can see the development of false doctrines. The great false system of worship which we see in Christendom today grew out of the errors that Paul warns about here.

20:30 It is complacent to think that false teaching always emanates from without the Christian community. Such a view leads one into a false sense of security with one’s brethren. Here Paul warns that their own number will bring forth error in belief and practice and those who are not wary will be led astray. It is easy to spot error when it is coming from outside the community but we are far less likely to spot it in the early days of its manifestation in our own community.

20:19  ‘with all humility’ is echoes in Eph 4:2 where Paul encourages the brethren in Ephesus to behave likewise. Of course Paul could not have exhorted the brethren thus if they could not see that sort of behaviour in him.  It was not a case of ‘do as I say and not as I do’ with Paul. It should not be with us either.

20:13   going ‘afoot’ doubtless was more time consuming that travelling by ship. So we have to conclude, even though the record does not say, that Paul went by foot so that he could stop off and visit believers or undertake a specific preaching opportunity.

20:18  Paul appeals to his lifestyle when speaking to the elders from Ephesus. He makes a similar comment to Timothy – 2Tim 3:10

20:35   In telling us what Jesus said – ‘It is better to give than to receive’ we see evidence that the gospel records do not record all that Jesus said. 

How to detect wolves in sheep's clothing

From v17 onwards Paul has assembled the Elders of the believers at Ephesus and is warning them of the time to come when he will not be able to protect them any longer from spiritual threats:

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." Acts 20:28-31

Jesus spoke of this time too, when he used the same phrase "wolves" and warned of the trials to come (Matt 10:16-23). These wolves are characterised by seeming to be harmless members of the flock, but inwardly being "ravening wolves":

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matt 7:15

So both Jesus and Paul warned us about these people. We too should be on the alert. Legitimate members of our flock are sheep and act like sheep. They possess humility and try to live simple lives serving their master. Wolves in sheep's clothing may look like us outwardly, attending meetings and quoting scripture, but will give themselves away in their pride and ambition. Ironically it is the ones who most want to be our leaders that we should be most wary of.

20:26  In saying ‘I take you to record’ Paul is quoting Deut 30:19  where, Moses, at the end of his life challenges Israel to be faithful – just as Paul is doing here.

20:31 That Paul had warned the ecclesia echoes the responsibility of the prophet – Eze 33:3-9

20:14    Mytilene is only mentioned on this one occasion in Scripture. There is no record of any believers there., An indication, maybe, that not all preaching activities brought a response. We should take this as a comfort when our preaching activities seem to be fruitless.

20:3     An almost incidental point that the Jews were lying in wait to kill Paul. However this was an ever present problem that Paul had to deal with all his life after his conversion.

Acts 20:27

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”

The apostle Paul made this asseveration to the elders of Ephesus, and by declaring the whole counsel, that being, the will and purpose of God, Paul was innocent of anyone’s choice to turn from the truth  (cf. Eze 3:17-19; 33:1-9; Acts 20:27-31), and thus fulfilled his ministry among the Ephesians.

We, likewise, must preach the whole counsel of God, Scripture being inspired by God, God-breathed, and is profitable to all who will receive it (2Tim 3:16). Paul did not share half-truths, or parts of the gospel (cf. 1Thess 2:1-5). He did not shirk from the responsibilities given to him, and having been a Pharisee of Pharisee parents, the Gospel message, initially, did not come easy to him.

Every doctrine in the Word of God is balanced by some other doctrine, and many of our differences arise by laying on one aspect of the Word and neglecting the other, altogether. Studying the will and purpose of God in the whole Bible, Old and New Covenants, is essential to understanding the specifics.

A correspondent wrote the following to the editor of the Christadelphian Family Journal in June 1933: “It seems now, so far as a faithful upholding of the whole counsel of God is concerned, as if the brethren could no longer look to the big ecclesias, and that henceforth, the Truth will be in the custody of a struggling few. When a big ecclesia is seen to use its power and influence to cover over corruption it is time for the faithful to take warning.” To this A.T. Jannaway wrote: “There is, we fear, ground for the correspondent’s remarks. The present laxity and strife in the brotherhood amply justify what is said. Confidence in the Truth has been largely replaced by confidence in numbers, even though the numbers include ‘evil men and seducers.’ The situation need cause neither astonishment nor anxiety to those who are watching. These know the history of the Truth is only repeating itself, and that the prophecies concerning the present times are being fulfilled. It is for the faithful to cling fearlessly to the Truth, knowing that the promised reward is not to be accorded to large or small ecclesias, as such. It is to be an individual bestowal upon ‘him that overcometh.’”

It has been prophesied that the characteristics of sinful human nature would emerge in mammoth proportions. It would seem that now in 2018, we are at its tipping point (2Tim 3:13).

20:27    When we realise that the word translated “sunned” is the same word translated “kept back” in :20 we see the force of the point. Paul was not limited in any way in how he preached to those in Ephesus.

Acts 20:31

"Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."

"'Why the tears? Because of the activity and subtlety of seducers. Paul knew that for his brethren to have abandoned the doctrines he had delivered to them would have meant their rejection at the judgment. He knew, too, the willing ear which human nature has for the wrong. These were the reasons which caused the apostle continual heaviness-he ceased not to warn (Phil 3:18; 1Thess 5:8-22; 2Cor 2:4; 2Cor 11:19-33). Is there less cause for sorrow, anxiety, and warning to-day than in the first century? Are the dangers to those in the Truth less? Is man more wont to walk in wisdom's ways? To these enquiries the words of Christ suggest the answer- 'When the Son of Man cometh shall he find (the) faith on the earth?' Let us not then be indifferent or callous to one another's standing in the Truth. Let us in love and humility carry out the counsel of Paul-'We exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient towards all men.'"

Brother A.T. Jannaway, MEDITATIONS-NO. 48, June, 1928

20:27 Paul speaks of declaring “the counsel of God” to the Ephesians and returns to this theme – Eph 1:11 – when writing to them later.

20:7  it is usual for believers to meet in the morning or afternoon to remember the death of Jesus. However, it would seem, in the first century the believers met on what would be our Saturday evening. Scattered through the New Testament there are a number of occasions where we are given almost incidental information as to how and when the believers met. Noticing them helps us to build a picture of how the early believers worshiped together.

HOW TO GIVE REAL ENCOURAGEMENT

There are some people we love being around. Very often those people are the ones that spread encouragement. They say things like, "Wow, that is perfect!" and, "I am so glad you told me that," and, "I think you will be amazing doing that."

Paul was one of those people. As he travelled around, he encouraged people all over the place. This is what we read about him: "...Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-bye and set out for Macedonia. He travelled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people..." (Acts 20:1-2).

Paul's encouragement was not just nice words. Yes, the nice words enthuse us, but Paul's encouragement would have been to press on toward the kingdom of God, to rejoice in the Lord, to get on with one another, to pray, to rely and trust in the Lord, and to persevere through tribulation. How do I know this? Because these are the encouraging messages he reminded the Macedonian believers about later in his letter to the Philippians.

So let's be like Paul. Let's go around spreading encouragement, and especially encouragement to live victoriously in Jesus Christ.

20:6 the use of “we” indicates that Luke was with Paul in Philippi and with him though there is no indication that he was imprisoned with Paul and Silas –Acts 16:19. Notice also the “we” in Acts 16:11-13.

For Presiding brothers.....Why is it recorded that they all knelt and prayed? 

Acts 20:36

“Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” Perhaps a presiding brother, should simply say to the congregation 'Let us pray' and let each person decide for themselves which posture they wish to take. Food for thought!

20:8 We might ask why there were “many lights” in the room. Clearly it was night time and so would be dark. However one or two lights would have sufficed to provide enough light to enable Paul to be seen. We might conclude that there were “many lights” because the audience, or at least some of them, would be comparing what Paul was saying about the Old Testament with their own copies.

20:15 the way Paul’s journey and placed he spent time are passed over with few words should make us appreciate that what we are told about certain groups of believers is important to focus on. God, in His wisdom, has chosen to give us “worked examples” of the lives of some that we might learn about commitment to Him.