Acts 20:25-38Acts 20:25-38

25"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

25"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Acts 20:25-38Acts 20:25-38

29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

Acts 20:25-38Acts 20:25-38

31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Acts 20:25-38Acts 20:25-38

32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.

32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.

Acts 20:25-38Acts 20:25-38

34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.

34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.

Acts 20:25-38Acts 20:25-38

35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:25-38Acts 20:25-38

36When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

37They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

36When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

37They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Acts 20:25-38Acts 20:25-38

““Be constantly maintaining Be constantly maintaining a watch over yourselvesa watch over yourselves…”…”

Shepherds Shepherd Shepherds Shepherd ShepherdsShepherds

Acts 20:17-Acts 20:17- 3838

Three Words - Same ManThree Words - Same Man

ΠρεσβυτέροςΠρεσβυτέρος, presbuteros = elder, presbuteros = elder

ἐπίσκοπος, episkopos = overseerἐπίσκοπος, episkopos = overseer

ποιμαίνωποιμαίνω, poimaino = shepherd, poimaino = shepherd

Shepherds shepherd shepherdsShepherds shepherd shepherds

““Watch out…” “keep watch…” Watch out…” “keep watch…” “be on guard…” “be careful…” “be on guard…” “be careful…” “be constantly maintaining a “be constantly maintaining a careful watch…” careful watch…” “keep on your toes…” “keep on your toes…”

““Be constantly maintaining Be constantly maintaining a watch over the flock…”a watch over the flock…”

Overseers have responsibility for what Overseers have responsibility for what happens to the flockhappens to the flock

Their identity is with Peter, an Apostle/ElderTheir identity is with Peter, an Apostle/Elder

They are shepherding the “flock of God”They are shepherding the “flock of God”

““Be constantly maintaining Be constantly maintaining a watch over the flock…”a watch over the flock…”

Christ Himself will reward elders somedayChrist Himself will reward elders someday

Elders are made elders by the Holy SpiritElders are made elders by the Holy Spirit

Jesus “purchased the church with His Jesus “purchased the church with His own blood”own blood”

Paul gives a serious warningPaul gives a serious warning

““I know that after my departure fierce I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”away the disciples after them.”

Did these Ephesian elders heed Did these Ephesian elders heed Paul’s warning? Did they do Paul’s warning? Did they do

anything about false teachers?anything about false teachers?

Acts 20:17-Acts 20:17- 3939

Ephesians 6:10Ephesians 6:10 -17-17

Revelation 2:1-7Revelation 2:1-7