Acts 20:13-21 - You know how I lived among you

20:13-16

This is one of the “we” passages where it seems that Luke is now with the party. Luke went by boat to Assos, while Paul walked there, presumably to meet some people along the way. We get a load of travel details, and other factors like Paul wanting to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost. These sections are, for most of us, not the most interesting, containing little of any direct theological significance. However, an important point is that the events in the Bible are, for the most part, quite clear located geographically and historically.

20:17-21

While Paul had not gone to Ephesus, in order to save time, he called the elders from Ephesus to meet with him. We see that eldership in churches was an established structure from a very early stage in church development. Paul reminds them how he lived among them, and the things he had endured. Our teaching needs to be correct, but our lifestyles also need to be consistent with the message. Paul taught them everything, not just the “nice” bits. He also did this publicly, and from house to house. Verse 21 then sums up what he preached, repentance and faith in Christ. When we reach today we so often teach only one of these, usually faith in Christ. But without repentance it really isn’t faith in Christ at all. Turning to Christ so he will bring “fulfilment” in your life or whatever, isn’t faith at all. The fact is we need to turn from our sin, we need forgiveness of our sins, and we need new life. Believing that Christ can give us that is true faith.