The Book of Acts Chapter 20
Originally posted Thursday, May 29, 2008
General Comment: Throughout Paul's career as
a Christian missionary he was the object of abuse, plots to kill him,
stoning, imprisonment, rejection by and hatred from his fellow
Israelites. There will be more to come along the road to Rome where he
will make the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of Christ. Not many of us have
experienced such a "fire in the belly" for any cause. We might
be reminded of another missionary who was driven by the divine imperative to
proclaim the Gospel against all odds. An observer, seeing the great crowds that
came out to hear John Wesley, asked him what accounted for these
large gatherings everywhere he preached. After some thought he replied,
"I just set myself on fire and people come for miles to watch me
burn." What would it be like if the church were made up of
disciples who burned with such a dedication to the work God has set before
them?
Acts Chapter 20:1-6 Paul's
Travelogue
Paul's
original plans were to pass through Macedonia and Greece, particularly Corinth,
visit the Church in Jerusalem and then head for Rome. All of this had been
interrupted by the events in Ephesus. He remained out of sight until tempers
cooled and it was safe to travel. He made the circuit of churches in Macedonia
and Greece, staying in Corinth for three months. As the church grew, the larger
communities such as Antioch, Ephesus and Corinth became bases of operations,
centers for the organizing of missions to their respective surrounding
areas. We can image Paul's stay of three months in Corinth being used not
only to strengthen the Corinthian Christians but to train evangelists
and keep his own missionary talents sharp by journeying out to the small
cities and towns of the Greek peninsula.
When
he was ready to leave for Syria his plans were again altered by the possibility
of hostility. This time the threat came from some of the same Macedonian
Jews who had harassed him in Thessalonica and Beroea (17:5-14). Rather than taking the shortest route by sailing from the
Bay of Corinth, Paul, accompanied by seven disciples, headed north,
through Macedonia to Philippi. Paul sent the disciples ahead by land to Troas.
When the days of Passover were over Paul set sail for Troas. (Notice
in vs. 6 that the
eyewitness "we" reappears)
Acts Chapter 20:7-16 Paul's
Farewell Visit to Troas
Luke
gives us a glimpse of the early community gathering on Sunday evening for
the Eucharistic meal. According to Paul's early letters we know such
fellowship was a weekly event. The terminology ""to break bread"
means more than a meal. Here Paul would have used the words of institution much
the same as we hear them during our Communion ritual. Besides the rite of
baptism, this is the oldest tradition - sacrament, of the church and was
repeated as a way to keep the spiritual presence of Christ ever before the
believer. In John's Gospel this event was a reminder of the mystical bond
between the believer and the indwelling Spirit of Christ. Taking the bread
and wine was considered necessary as a demonstration of one's continuing faith
in Christ and place within the community. One's continued state of salvation
was acknowledged at the Lord's Table.
After
the meal and the breaking of bread, Paul spoke at length to the believers of
Troas. He continued speaking for so long a time that a young boy, precariously
perched on the window ledge to catch the evening air, fell asleep and fell off
the ledge, plummeting three floors to the courtyard below. Luke writes that he
"was picked up dead." When Paul reached the boy he held him in his
arms and to the relief of the gathering he announced that there was "life
in him" after which he returned to the upper
apartment, celebrated the Eucharist and continued speaking until
dawn.
It
is not clear what meaning Luke intends for us to find in this story. Is it
an example of an Apostle raising the dead such as we read in Peter's
raising of Tabitha in Joppa (9:36-43)?
Or was the boy saved by falling into a pile of large baskets that would have
been left outside for the next day's use? Luke does not tend to use hidden or
double meanings as does John so we are left with our own conclusions.
There is, none the less, a theme throughout Luke's writings (as well as
the Gospels). He reminds the reader that it is the Spirit that brings
life, both in creation and in re-creation through faith. Perhaps this is
what Luke would have us understand - we all "have life in us"
no matter what.
Acts Chapter 20:13-38 Paul
and the Ephesian Elders
We
get the feeling here that Paul is in charge of the travel plans. Paul has made
the sailing arrangements for the thirty mile crossing from Troas to the
district of Mysia. But while his companions sailed along the eastern
Aegean coast he walked the twenty miles along the Roman road, boarding the
ship at Assos. From there our eyewitness notes the various cities along the
route to Miletus, approximately thirty miles south of Ephesus.
Even
though he was very close to Ephesus he was determined to reach Jerusalem
for Pentecost and did not wish to delay his journey by what would have been a
long stay. Instead he sent a message and summoned the church elders to meet
with him in Miletus.
What
follows is Paul's farewell address to the Ephesians. It has been artistically
crafted and Luke has included all the necessary reminders not just to the
church at Ephesus but to churches throughout the ages. Paul
outlines what the Christian mission is, its basis in Christ, God and the
Holy Spirit. He reminds them of the role of the shepherd over the
flock; of the continuing mission he has passed on to them, a mission more
precious than gold and silver; of the labor of self giving love; of the
times of persecution which shall surely come; of the presence among them
of wolves who pretend to be shepherds but who will lead the sheep
astray.
He
finishes but wishes he could say more. The words are not there. There are only
prayers now, and tears, embraces, and tears, and farewell.
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