Acts 20:13-17
13 But we went ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for that was what he had arranged, intending himself to go by land.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
15 Sailing from there, we arrived the following day opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not have to lose time in Asia; for he was hurrying, if it might be possible for him to be in Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17 From Miletus he sent word to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the church.
From Troas to Miletus (3)
The elders
“From Miletus he sent word to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the church.” (1) Paul did not stop at Ephesus because he was hurrying on his journey to Jerusalem. However, Paul felt the necessity of delivering a final message to the elders of the church in Ephesus. (2) It likely took around three days to load and unload cargo at Miletus. During this time, Paul sent a messenger to Ephesus to summon the elders. (3) It would have taken at least two days for them to arrive. The elders who traveled from Ephesus to Miletus made a significant sacrifice. Let’s review the role of elders. (1) In the New Testament, there are three terms used to refer to leaders. (a) Elder (presbyteros) (Acts 20:17). (b) Overseer or bishop (episkopos) (Acts 20:28). (c) Those entrusted with the role of shepherding (the verb “poimaino”) (Acts 20:28). In its noun form, it refers to a pastor. This word appears in John 21:16: “He said to him again, a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’” (2) Biblically, the roles of elder, overseer, and pastor refer to the same position. The role of a leader is to guide, oversee, and shepherd the believers. (3) The leadership structure envisioned in the New Testament is one of collective leadership by multiple leaders. Especially in large churches like the church in Ephesus, multiple leaders are necessary.
Paul and Pentecost
(1) How should we view the relationship between Jewish believers and the Law? (a) Luke does not criticize Paul for trying to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost. (b) Jewish believers have the freedom to observe the Law or not to observe it. Let us remember this. (c) It is natural for a Jew to desire to celebrate a pilgrimage feast in Jerusalem. (2) Gentile believers should respect the choices Messianic Jews (Jews who believe in Jesus) make regarding the Law. (a) Messianic Jews have the freedom to observe the Law or not to observe it. (b) However, if any Messianic Jew considers the Law as a condition for salvation, that is incorrect. (c) The Law was not originally given to Gentiles and is therefore unrelated to us. We have been saved by grace and through faith. Let us remember this and continue to live a Christian life by grace and by faith.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I have been saved by grace and through faith. Therefore, please guide me so that I may live each day by grace and faith. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.