The Acts of the Apostles
The Growth and Expansion of the Church to the Ends of the Earth
Acts 13:1-28:31 (38)
Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (18:23-21:16) (9)
2) Paul’s Farewell to the Elders of Ephesus (20:17-38)
a) Paul Called for the Elders (20:17)
b) Paul Reviewed with the Elders (20:18-24)
c) Paul Admonished the Elder (20:25-35)
(1) In Light of His Departure (20:25)
(2) In Light of His Service/Ministry (20:26-27)
(3) In Light of Their Duty (20:28-32)
(a) Their Duty Described (20:28-30)
(b) The Sphere of Their Duty (20:28b1-2)
(c) The Peculiarities of Their Duty (20:28b3
-d)
(1) Arranged by the Holy Spirit (20:28b3-8)
! The elder, who is also an overseer, is gifted by the
Holy Spirit with the ability to teach.
! The elder, who is also a pastor, is part of the gift
given to the church by Jesus Christ.
(2) Intended for Oversight (20:28b9)
! overseer (episkopos) bishop
(3) Intended to Shepherd (20:28c-d)
(a) The Duty of Shepherding (20:28c)
! shepherd to tend a flock
! Jesus is the Shepherd
! Jesus Appointed Human Shepherds
! pastor (poimenas) shepherd, sheep-
herder
(b) The Context of Shepherding (20:28d)
! An Assembly
" church (ekklesia) assembly
! An Assembly of God
! An Assembly Purchased by God
" purchase preserve, reserve;
acquire, bring about, effect
! Elders are part of the church not simply over the church.
! True biblical preaching is based in instruction.
! There are not levels of ordination.
! Official offices of the church should be limited to biblically identifiable categories.
! Elder, overseer, and pastor are three terms which describe the same person
! The assembly headed up by these individuals is God’s not their’s.