Topical Encyclopedia In the narrative of the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostle Paul’s interaction with the elders of the Ephesian church is a significant moment that highlights his pastoral care, leadership, and the establishment of church governance. This event is recorded in Acts 20:17-38, where Paul, on his third missionary journey, calls for the elders of the church in Ephesus to meet him in Miletus.Context and Background Paul had spent approximately three years in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its temple of Artemis and its vibrant trade. During his time there, Paul had established a strong Christian community, teaching both Jews and Greeks about the kingdom of God. His ministry in Ephesus was marked by profound teaching, miracles, and the confrontation of pagan practices, which led to significant growth in the church (Acts 19). The Meeting in Miletus As Paul was journeying to Jerusalem, he chose not to stop in Ephesus to avoid delays, but instead sent for the elders to meet him in Miletus. This decision underscores the urgency and importance of his message to them. The term "elders" (Greek: presbyteroi) refers to the leaders of the church, responsible for shepherding the congregation and maintaining doctrinal purity. Paul’s Address to the Elders In his farewell address, Paul reflects on his ministry among them, emphasizing his humility, perseverance through trials, and dedication to preaching the gospel. He states, "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews" (Acts 20:18-19). Paul warns the elders of impending challenges, including false teachers who would arise from within the church. He exhorts them to be vigilant shepherds, saying, "Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). This charge highlights the divine appointment and serious responsibility of church leadership. Paul’s Personal Example and Farewell Paul’s address is deeply personal, reflecting his emotional bond with the Ephesian church. He declares his innocence of any wrongdoing, having fully proclaimed the gospel, and expresses his willingness to face persecution for the sake of Christ. He says, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace" (Acts 20:24). The meeting concludes with a heartfelt farewell, as Paul kneels and prays with the elders. The scene is marked by tears and embraces, illustrating the deep love and respect between Paul and the Ephesian leaders. The elders are grieved by Paul’s statement that they would not see his face again, underscoring the gravity of the moment and the impact of Paul’s ministry. Significance This passage is pivotal in understanding early church leadership and the apostolic foundation laid by Paul. It underscores the importance of pastoral care, doctrinal vigilance, and the sacrificial nature of Christian ministry. Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders serves as a timeless exhortation to church leaders to remain faithful stewards of God’s flock, grounded in the truth of the gospel and committed to the mission of the church. Nave's Topical Index Acts 20:17-21And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Nave's Topical Index Library Presbyters or Bishops. The Angels of the Seven Churches. James of ... The Organization of the Apostolic Church. Phil. 1:01 the Rights and Duties of Lay Churchmen. His Missionary Travels General Index to Socrates' Ecclesiastical History. Introduction. Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Concerning the Ministry. Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ... Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ... Resources Is the New Perspective on Paul biblical? | GotQuestions.orgDid Paul ever meet Jesus in person? | GotQuestions.org Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Paul: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Paul Escapes to Derbe, where he Preaches the Gospel, and Returns to Lystra Paul is Bitten by a Viper and Miraculously Unharmed Paul is Brought Before the Sanhedrin; his Defense Paul is Confined in Herod's Judgment Hall in Caesarea Paul is Confined in the Fortress Paul is Delayed in Melita for Three Months Paul is Encouraged by a Vision from God, Promising Him That he Will Give Testimony in Rome Paul is Escorted to Caesarea by a Military Guard Paul is Persecuted by Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and is Stoned Paul is Persecuted by the Jews Paul is Received by the Brethren Gladly Paul is Released by the Civil Authorities on the Grounds of his Being a Roman Citizen Paul is Returned to the Fortress Paul is Taken to Rome in the Custody of Julius, a Centurion, and a Detachment of Soldiers Paul is Welcomed at the Household of Lydia Paul: Appeals to be Heard by Caesar Paul: Born in the City of Tarsus Paul: Caught up to the Third Heaven Paul: Chooses Silas As his Companion Paul: Contends With Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the Sorcerer Paul: Contends With the Judaizers Against Their Circumcision "Theology" Paul: Conveys the Contributions of the Christians in Antioch to the Christians in Jerusalem Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) With Greeks Paul: Declares he Was Going Bound in Spirit to Jerusalem Paul: Educated at Jerusalem in the School of Gamaliel Paul: Enters the Temple Courtyard Paul: Escapes by Being Let Down from the Wall in a Basket; Goes to Jerusalem Paul: Escapes to Berea by Night Paul: from the Tribe of Benjamin, Paul: Goes Through Phrygia and Galatia Paul: Goes to Troas, where he Has a Vision of a Man Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia Paul: Has "A Thorn in the Flesh" Paul: Has Barnabas As his Companion Paul: Heals the Ruler's Father and Others Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii Paul: His Independence of Character Paul: His Message Received Gladly by the Gentiles Paul: His Resolute Determination to Go to Jerusalem Despite Repeated Warnings Paul: His Trial Before Governor Felix Paul: His Trial Before Governor Festus Paul: His Vision and Conversion Paul: Jewish Leaders Conspire Against his Life Paul: John (Mark), a Companion of, Departs for Jerusalem Paul: Kind Treatment by the Inhabitants of the Island Paul: Lives in his own Rented House for Two Years, Preaching and Teaching Paul: Makes his Second Tour of the Congregations Paul: Meets some Brethren Who Accompany Him to Rome from Appii Forum Paul: Persecuted by Jews, Drawn Before the Deputy, Charged With Wicked Lewdness Paul: Persecuted by the Jews Who Come from Thessalonica Paul: Persecuted, Beaten, and Cast Into Prison With Silas Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen Paul: Preaches in Damascus for the First Time Paul: Predicts Misfortune to the Ship; his Counsel not Heeded, and the Voyage Resumes Paul: Proceeds to Macedonia After Strengthening the Congregations in That Region Paul: Reasons in the Synagogue Every Sabbath Paul: Received by the Disciples in Jerusalem Paul: Refers the Question of Circumcision to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem Paul: Remains in Custody for Two Years Paul: Returns to Antioch, Accompanied by Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, With Letters to the Gentiles Paul: Returns With the Apostle John to Antioch (Of Syria) Paul: Re-Visits Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and Antioch, in Syria, where he Lived Paul: Sends for the Elders of the Congregation of Ephesus Paul: Sends Timothy and Erastus Into Macedonia, But he Himself Remains in Asia for a Period of Time Paul: Sent to Damascus With Letters for the Arrest and Return to Jerusalem of Christians Paul: Sergius Paulus, Governor of the Country, is a Convert of Paul: Summons the Local Jewish Leadership Paul: Teaches at Antioch (In Syria) for One Year Paul: The People Attempt to Worship Him Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta) Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes With the Makers of Idols Paul: This Plan is Thwarted by his Nephew Paul: Transferred to a Ship of Alexandria Paul: Visits Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica; Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Antioch (In Pisidia), and Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium Paul: Visits Coos, Rhodes, and Patara; Boards a Ship Bound for Tyre Paul: Visits Ephesus, where he Leaves Aquila and Priscilla Paul: Visits Iconium, and Preaches to the Jews and Non-Jews Paul: Visits Lystra; Circumcises Timothy Paul: Visits Much of the Island of Cyprus Paul: Visits Perga in Pamphylia Paul: Visits Samothracia and Neapolis Paul: Waits at Tyre for Seven Days Select Readings: Paul and Silas in Prison Select Readings: Paul in Front of Agrippa Select Readings: Paul in Front of Governor Felix Select Readings: Paul on Mars' Hill Related Terms |
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