Acts 20:17-38 Paul and the Presbyters
17 And from Mile′tus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders [presbyteroi] of the church. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you all the time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which befell me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance to God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there; 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that all you among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept and embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him to the ship.
Here we see the moving result of Paul pouring himself out for three years as a pastor, teacher, friend and benefactor of the Ephesian community. The presbyters (elders) felt this especially acutely. Knowing they would never see him again in this life they knelt down together, prayed, and embraced each other with tears. Paul left an indelible mark on their lives and they were deeply grieved to see him go.
It takes a bold and humble person to be able to say “Look at me: this is how you ought to behave as a Christian leader.” But that’s what Paul did. He was a master of the pastoral craft who demonstrated to those whom we might call his apprentices how to be a presbyter in the Church of Christ.
- Serve the Lord with humility and faithfulness
- Be willing to be led by the Spirit, whatever the uncertainties
- Keep remembering that it is Christ’s Church, not ours: we are merely caretakers
- You will have tears if you put your heart into the ministry of Christ
- Don’t hold back and be “precious” about your life
- Face down the trials that come to you
- Do not shrink from saying/doing the right thing, regardless of consequences
- Bring the Kingdom message to all: God’s grace, a changed life, faith in Christ
- Proclaim the full message of God, in season and out of season
- Work hard, help others, live simply, support yourself if necessary
- Don’t be jealous of the wealth of others
- Pay attention to the health of your life and of those in your care
- Teach everywhere you go, in public and in people’s homes
- Engage everyone you meet, whatever their background
- Be alert and expect trouble, dissension and affliction
- Be yourself and give yourself to others, with all your feelings, thoughts and action
Update
Treasurer Melanie Ringa and I arrived last night in San Francisco. We’ll meet today with Archbishop Benjamin and the Diocese of West’s Diocesan Council to discuss the 18th All-American Council and funding the work of the Church. Late this afternoon, we’ll be back at the airport for the return flight to New York.