INTRODUCTION
Since the beginning, the church has been led by qualified men called “elders.” This was the case in Ephesus and in all the churches (Tit. 1:5). These men are called to shepherd the flock of God by feeding it and guarding it by the entire Word of God.
The Text: “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons…” (Acts 20:17-38)
SUMMARY OF THE TEXT
Paul called the Ephesian elders together for a final charge before he departed, reviewing the manner of his ministry, his intensity, diligence, and sacrifice, saying it was to be his last time (Acts 20:17-25, cf. 20:38). Therefore, Paul makes a point for the record that he has not held back any part of God’s Word from them and is therefore innocent of their blood before God, as a faithful watchman (Acts 20:26-27, cf. Ezek. 3, 33). He charges the elders to follow his example in guarding and feeding the flock of God, warning them specifically about wolves arising in their own midst (Acts 20:28-31). He commends them to God and His Word and his own example of ministry, prays with them all before parting (Acts 20:32-38).
ALL THE COUNSEL OF GOD
Paul emphasizes in this final charge to the Ephesian elders his ministry of God’s Word: teaching publicly and from house to house, testifying of repentance and the gospel, preaching the kingdom of God, and the whole counsel of God, and therefore, the elders are to feed the flock, build up the saints, by the same Word of God’s grace.
This is what we mean by “All of Christ for All of Life.” We mean all of Scripture, applied all the time, everywhere. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). This means that our goal must be to study and know the whole Bible. Many modern Christians are only taught snippets and a few stories. We are not prepared for all good works because we do not know all of Scripture. What does God’s Word say about immigration, sexuality, politics, finances, or friendship? We must not be selective in our Bible study. And elders are entrusted with making sure that we are not leaving anything out: Genesis to Revelation.
FEED THE CHURCH OF GOD
The whole Bible is our food, and elders are entrusted with making sure the flock is actually eating. The center of this is Lord’s Day worship, where the elders that labor in word and doctrine teach and preach the Word openly (1 Tim. 5:17). But all elders are entrusted with checking in “house to house.” We don’t just put the food out and hope for the best; elders are shepherds under the Chief Shepherd who care for the health of the flock (1 Pet. 5:1-4).
This is how Christians are built up (Acts 20:32). If Christians have become weak and impotent, it is because we have a famine of God’s Word (Amos 8:11). This is why Scripture requires God’s people to follow “those who rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God… for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief” (Heb. 13:7, 17). There is an exhortation here in both directions: elders must speak the word, set good examples, and watch over souls, and members must heed that counsel, follow those examples, and make this job a joy and not a grief.
GUARD THE CHURCH OF GOD
Elders are also required by to guard God’s flock from wolves. This is one of the reasons why elders must be men. This is a frontline, combat and security position. Those who become elders have to imitate Paul’s willingness to “not count his life dear” (Acts 20:24). Sometimes this requires literal martyrdom, but it frequently includes public hatred and persecution (Mt. 5:11-12, 2 Tim. 3:12).
This task of guarding is never “off duty” and is intense because it includes the internal temptations of elders, their own households, plus the rest of the elder board and the congregation, while continuing to preach the gospel to those outside. Elders are held to a high standard of personal holiness and household faithfulness (1 Tim. 3, Tit. 1). Paul says this was intense for him personally (Acts 20:19), and he insists that this will be the same for the Ephesian elders, some of whom will be led astray and lead others astray (Acts 20:29-30). Therefore, elders must watch and pray constantly, and the flock must watch and pray.
Church scandals are some of the most damaging events for the faith of Christians, but there ought to be some comfort in hearing these words from 2,000 years ago. How many scandals have there been since then? And look at the church of Jesus Christ. We must be faithful, and sometimes the world will accuse us of scandal, when all we did was deal with sin like the Bible says (Mt. 18, 1 Cor. 5).
APPLICATIONS
Pray for faithful elders and pastors: We live in a great famine of the Word, but it is not for lack of access to the Word. Rather, we have churches filled with men who will not tell the whole truth, who pander and flatter, tickling the ears of their hearers, prizing their own lives and reputations over the glory of Christ and the care of His church (cf. Jn. 12:43). By doing this, they are hating and abusing the flock of God, refusing to feed and guard them.
Trust in Jesus Christ not men: God has determined to care for His people through fallible men (and this is true in all governments), and this really is for our good. He knows what He is doing. But we must not follow mindlessly: we submit in the Lord. We follow them as they follow Christ because He is the Good Shepherd: He purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28, Jn. 10:28). He died for His church so that “He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).
When John was given a glimpse of the future glory of the world, He saw the Church descending from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:2), and all things made new (Rev. 21:5). And faithful elders are central to this project.