Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders - Part One

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

April 14, 2021

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Part One

For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

Acts 20:27

Read: Acts 20:13-27       

Paul is concluding his farewell journey along the eastern coast with an emotional meeting with the leaders of the church in Ephesus. Since Paul had recently celebrated the Passover and is trying to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost, we know that he was traveling at about the same time of the year as it is now for us. (Pentecost is May 23)

In our reading for today, I am impressed by two characteristics of Paul. First, he was very clear about where he was going. I don’t just mean Jerusalem for Pentecost. Paul’s vision for his ministry is to relocate to Rome from which he will launch a mission to Spain. We know that he will eventually go to Rome; just not in the way he had hoped, and he did not make it to Spain. But trusting that God works all things together for good, Paul never lost sight of his ultimate vision to proclaim the Good News of Jesus where ever he may be.

Secondly, Paul had a keen sense of awareness. He knew exactly what he was working to accomplish, and he understood the obstacles that he, and the church, would encounter as they endeavored to live out the Great Commission.

Paul modeled for us the life of a fully-devoted follower of Jesus. Paul is clear that the qualities of vision and awareness are not reserved just for Apostles. These are to be the attributes of all Christians.

My Takeaway: I noted on March 26, that I want Paul’s words on Mars Hill to be the sum of my life: “For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) An evidence of the truth of that statement in my life is the clarity of my Pauline type of vision and awareness for my life.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

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