Chapter Twenty — Part Eight: The Book of Acts
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 10/16/2022
Foundation Scriptures:Acts 20:25-28
1. Preached the Kingdom.
a. Acts 20:25 NKJV — “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
b. Paul knew in his heart that he would not see them in person again.
c. Nor any of the others to whom he had preached since he began his ministry.
d. Paul had faithfully preached the Kingdom of God to them.
e. The Kingdom of God is not in mere words or talk, but in power and demonstration (1 Cor. 4:20).
f. Kingdom (Greek basileia) — royalty, rule, or realm (used concretely or abstractly):
g. Royal power, kingship, dominion, rule.
h. The right or authority to rule over a kingdom.
i. Used of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah.
j. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16).
k. He has all the power and authority and dominion.
l. In the future, Jesus will be revealed as the King and Lord over all the earth.
m. For now, He is revealed as the King, Lord, and Savior of all those who trust and believe on Him.
n. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption (1 Cor. 15:50).
o. The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9a).
p. We, who believe, are the subjects of a Heavenly Kingdom.
q. Because Jesus is our Lord, we have all the blessings and advantages that come with His Kingdom and Lordship.
r. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom. 14:17).
2. Innocent.
a. Acts 20:26 AMPC — Therefore I testify and protest to you on this [our parting] day that I am clean and innocent and not responsible for the blood of any of you.
b. Paul had done his part and fully preached the Gospel to them—both Jews and Gentiles.
c. Therefore, he was pure—clean; blameless; innocent—of their blood.
d. They, not he, were now responsible for their own eternal destination and would have to give an account to God for their life.
e. Acts 20:27 NKJV — For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
f. Shunned (Greek hypostellō) — draw back; withdraw; be timid; cower; shrink; be timid; used of those who from timidity hesitate to avow what they believe; to be unwilling to utter from fear; to shrink from declaring, to conceal, dissemble.
g. For I never shrank or kept back or fell short from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan and counsel of God (Acts 20:27 AMPC).
h. Paul did not fall short, shrink back, keep back, or hold back in his preaching, neither was he neglectful in his ministry.
i. He preached the whole, entire counsel (purpose and will) of God, without fear or reservation.
j. Romans 15:19 AMPC — [Even as my preaching has been accompanied] with the power of signs and wonders, [and all of it] by the power of the Holy Spirit. [The result is] that starting from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel [faithfully executing, accomplishing, carrying out to the full the good news] of Christ (the Messiah) in its entirety.
k. We cannot force people to receive the Gospel and believe on Jesus Christ.
l. We can only share it openly with them—then it is up to them what they do with it.
m. However, if we do not obey God to preach the Truth of the Gospel to those to whom we are sent, then we are responsible for their lives.
3. Feed the Church.
a. Acts 20:28 KJV — Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
b. These men were the elders—guardians, overseers—of the Church at Ephesus.
c. They were called, chosen, ordained, and installed, by the Holy Spirit.
d. Paul instructs them to be faithful and diligent to feed the Church of God.
e. Feed (Greek poimainō) — to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep; to rule, govern; to furnish pasturage or food; to nourish.
f. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to feed and provide nourishment for his sheep.
g. These pastors (shepherds) were responsible to tend, feed, guide, and provide spiritual food for the flock, the Church.
h. Paul was handing over the baton to them.
i. Christianity is not a spectator sport—we each have a role to play and a calling to fulfill.
j. We are His ambassadors and representatives to the world—both lay people and the five-fold ministry.
k. And those called into the five-fold ministry have a greater responsibility than others.
4. Purchased With His Blood.
a. Acts 20:28b KJV — …the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
b. The Church is extremely precious and valuable to our Lord Jesus Christ, because we are purchased and redeemed with His very own precious blood.
c. Revelation 1:5b AMPC — To Him Who ever loves us and has once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood,
d. 1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV — Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.