TEACHING REPENTANCE AND FAITH

Passage: Acts 20:13-21

Key verse: 21

NIV

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.(A) 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus(B) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,(C) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,(D) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.(E)

17 From Miletus,(F) Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders(G) of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,(H) from the first day I came into the province of Asia.(I) 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears(J) and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.(K) 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything(L) that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews(M) and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance(N) and have faith in our Lord Jesus.(O)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and[a] the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening (A)to be at Jerusalem, if possible, (B)on the day of Pentecost.

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called (C)the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:

(D)“You yourselves know (E)how I lived among you the whole time (F)from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 (G)serving the Lord (H)with all humility and with (I)tears and with trials that happened to me through (J)the plots of the Jews; 20 how I (K)did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and (L)teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 (M)testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of (N)repentance toward God and of (O)faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.[b]

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium
  2. Acts 20:21 Some manuscripts omit Christ
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. A farewell meeting in Miletus (13-17)

Paul was going to Jerusalem, where danger and possibly death awaited him. He met the elders of the Ephesian church in Miletus, for what might be the last time. He had important final words to say to his flock in Ephesus. He wanted to encourage and warn them, and give them direction for the future.

2. Teach repentance and faith (18-21)

Paul had worked among them with great humility and tears, but his ministry was not people-centered. He served the Lord. The Jews, the 'good' religious people, became enemies of God and tools of Satan. But Paul did not fight them with political weapons. He depended on God, endured everything, and taught the gospel--repentance toward God and faith in Jesus. He was a diligent shepherd who taught his people the Bible both publicly and one-to-one; he said what needed to be said.

Prayer: Lord, help me to teach your word clearly and humbly, and help others to repent before you and have faith in Jesus.

One Word: Teach repentance and faith