What connections exist between Acts 20:25 and Jesus' teachings on the kingdom? Paul’s Farewell Focus: Acts 20:25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will see my face again.” How Jesus Spoke of the Kingdom • Matthew 4:17 — “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” • Luke 4:43 — “I must preach the gospel of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.” • Luke 17:21 — “For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” • John 18:36 — “My kingdom is not of this world.” Direct Parallels between Acts 20:25 and Jesus’ Teaching • Same Core Message – Jesus and Paul both “preached the kingdom,” not a different gospel (Luke 8:1; Acts 1:3). – Repentance and faith are foundational (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21). • Present yet Future – Jesus: kingdom is present (“in your midst,” Luke 17:21) and still coming (“will come,” Luke 22:18). – Paul: kingdom preached now (Acts 20:25) but future inheritance awaited (Acts 14:22; 1 Corinthians 6:9). • Kingdom Requires Surrender – Jesus called for denying self (Luke 9:23). – Paul warned elders of chains and afflictions (Acts 20:23) and urged total devotion (Acts 20:24). • Worldwide Scope – Jesus foretold a gospel proclaimed “in the whole world” (Matthew 24:14). – Paul’s ministry fulfilled this trajectory, carrying the message from Jerusalem to Gentile cities (Romans 15:19). • Shepherding and Accountability – Jesus portrayed kingdom leaders as servants (Mark 10:42-45). – Paul tasked elders to “shepherd the church of God” (Acts 20:28), mirroring Jesus’ model. Why Paul’s Words Echo Jesus So Strongly • Apostolic Continuity: Luke authored both Luke and Acts, deliberately showing that what Jesus began, Paul continued (Acts 1:1-2). • Same Holy Spirit: the Spirit empowered Jesus (Luke 4:14) and later Paul (Acts 13:9). • Single Redemptive Plan: the kingdom announced in the Gospels advances through the church age until Christ returns (1 Corinthians 15:24-25). Take-Home Insights • The kingdom message did not change when Jesus ascended; it spread through Paul’s ministry. • Preaching the kingdom involves calling people to repentance, faith, and lifelong discipleship. • Suffering often accompanies kingdom work, yet future glory outweighs present trials (Romans 8:18). • Every believer today is invited to keep proclaiming and living out the same kingdom Jesus preached and Paul carried to the ends of the earth. |
    |