Book of Acts: From Troas to Miletus

From Troas to Miletus

The Passage: Acts 20:15-38

Structure:

a. 20:15-18a, Arrival to Miletus and call for Ephesian’s elders

St. Paul’s speech:

parts 1 [v. 18b-24]:

  b. 20:18b-19, among you

    c. 20:20-21, I didn’t shrink

      d. 20:22-23, Holy Spirit

        e. 20:24, my life has no value

part 2 [v. 25-30]:

  b’. 20:25, among you

    c’. 20:26-27, I didn’t shrink

      d’. 20:28, Holy Spirit

        e’. 20:29-30, not sparing the flock

take away [31-38a]:

 f. 20:31, I admonished you with tears

  g. 20:32, I commend you to God

   h. 20:33-34, I coveted no one’s silver and gold

   h’. 20:35, I have shown that working hard we help the weak

  g’. 20:36, he knelt and prayed with all

 f’. 20:37-38a, weeping of all

a’. 20:38b, ship – departure from Miletus

Historical and geographical context:

This famous sermon is delivered in Miletus – we don’t have much information on St. Paul’s ministry here. Yet, he wants to avoid Ephesus – probably deciding not to risk his life there; his destination was Jerusalem (Acts 20:16,22).

There is also a minor chronological challenge – St. Luke reports in Acts 19:8 and 10 that the total time of St. Paul in Ephesus should account for 2 years and 3 months. At the same time, in his sermon he speaks of three years (20:31). This conundrum can be solved by understanding that he addresses leaders from the whole of Asia, not only the elders/bishops of Ephesus (cp. 20:16,18).

Theology:

Very personal speech. St. Paul is on his way to Jerusalem. Everyone tells him and everything points to the reality of the arrest. Meeting with people dear to his heart, whom he taught for about three years (see Historical and Geographical challenge), he is sharing his personal concerns or fears about the future of Asian congregations. On the other hand, they are sad to realize that most likely they won’t see him again…

Guidance of the Holy Spirit. On one hand, St. Paul encourages the leaders [elders and/or bishops] of the church saying that their ministry is not based on their own authority: it is the Holy Spirit that made them overseers to care for the church. Yet, the same Holy Spirit testified to the apostle that trip to Jerusalem will end up with imprisonment and afflictions (Acts 20:23). Establishment, comfort, and guidance during hardship of life are the elements of the ministry of the Third person of the Trinity.

Unity of the church. St. Paul addressing representatives from different congregations tells them that they are to care for the church – as we confess: one, holy, Christian (lit. universal/worldwide), apostolic church. One of the main challenges is a rise of men who will drive away disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30). For the apostle the unity of the church is based on the unity within the Godhead of Trinity – the relationship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Having example when his work (or the ministry of the Holy Spirit through him) was almost destroyed by schismatic distortions in the congregation of Corinth (cp. 1 Cor 1-4), he warns the leadership of the whole Asia to do “preventive maintenance”, commending them to God and the word of His grace (Acts 20:32).

Responsibility of the leaders of the church. Apart from keeping the unity in the Body of Christ (the church), St. Paul charges the leaders with paying close attention to themselves and to all the flock, caring for it (Acts 20:28). Close attention to themselves is not a sign of selfishness, but a practice of regular self-evaluation. Saying this in public, I believe, was Pauline attempt to establish and maintain the brotherhood mutual trust, commitment, and accountability. 

LIFE AMONG THE BELIEVERS

Life among the believers  

(click here for the video lesson)

The Passage: Acts 2:40-47

Structure:

a. 2:40-41, Save yourself; 3000 added

  b. 2:42, Life of the community (breaking bread)

    c. 2:43a, Awe came upon every soul.

      d. 2:43b, Signs and wonders through the apostles 

    c. 2:44-45, All who believed were together

  b’. 2:46-47a, Life of the community (breaking bread)

a’. 2:47b, LORD added to the number those who were being saved

Historical and geographical context:

We are going from the sermon of St. Peter into the life of the “Pentecostal community”. Two environments are mentioned here – homes of the believers and the Temple. We don’t know how long this period takes place but, knowing that St. Luke pays attention to liturgical features, we can contemplate two or three possibilities. One 8:27b-28 states the Ethiopian Eunuch was coming back from his pilgrimage to Jerusalem for worship. The feast of Pentecost should be celebrated for a whole week. Therefore, the Acts 2 – 8 could happen within one week! Then, the events would unfold really fast. There is a second reading – mentioning the worship at Jerusalem St. Luke directs our attention to the NEXT major festive period – the feast of Booths (7^th month days 15 to 22). It also required a pilgrimage for those who lived in the land, also pilgrimage was encouraged for those who would live outside the land (diaspora). For sure, there is a third possibility – we don’t now, which means it took very long – years or decades… Honestly, IMHO – I don’t like this answer for two reasons: first, St. Luke pays attention to the times (1:8). Second, this assumption is built on the evolutionary notion – everything takes so much time to develop.       

Theology:

Baptism and church outreach. Note that both verbs “baptized” and “added” are in passive voice. This is supported (explained) in v. 47. It is the LORD Who brings people to unity with the church. As our confession says (AC V) the Holy Spirit is the One Who works faith using the Word and the Sacraments. Here we see both – Bible-based sermon of St. Peter and the rite of the Holy Baptism. Using these two means the LORD added 3000 people to the communion of saints.

Unity among the believers. Though the idea is portrayed through the communal effort to have material possessions in common, it does not begin there. V. 43 says that “awe came upon every soul”. This “awe” follows the regular/daily godly lifestyle of the church: studying, fellowship, breaking of the bread (Holy Communion), and prayers (v. 42). That’s what first and foremost unites the church.

Signs and wonders. St. John in his Gospel begins to account for seven [miraculous] signs of Jesus at Cana of Galilee (Jn. 2:1-11). When Jesus commissions the Eleven (Mk. 16:15-18), He states that the signs will accompany their ministry. The first time we see it in the Book of Acts is here – 2:43. Yet, we don’t need to put the cart in front of the horse. Signs and wonders are not the basis for the proper spiritual assessment of someone’s ministry. Satan is very proficient in miraculous work (1 Cor. 1:22-24; 2 Cor. 12-15).           

Other themes: There are “spiritual” groups that teach that Christians should sell everything they own and bring the proceeds to the leadership of the church. They attempt to support their theology with Acts 2:44-45. However tempting this idea is, this teaching is not supported by the Scriptures. For at least two reasons. First, this is a descriptive passage in the Bible, not a prescriptive one. Second, as it could’ve been common practice for the fellowship in Jerusalem, the later development of the church show the stable congregations in Mediterranean area supporting themselves and the Jerusalem congregation by collecting their tights (10% of income).