Morning Light – Acts 20: Paul Makes a Grand Exit

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Today: [Acts 20:] Paul Makes a Grand Exit: In Acts 20 the Apostle Paul makes what he thinks will be a farewell tour throughout Greece and then returns to Ephesus for a final farewell. The elders and leaders gather to wish Paul well in one of the most touching scenes in the New Testament as Paul sets sail to Jerusalem thinking that there he will give his life as a martyr.
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[Act 20:1-16 KJV] 1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto [him] the disciples, and embraced [them], and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 3 And [there] abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These going before tarried for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. 7 And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing [him] said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. 11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. 12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. 14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. 15 And we sailed thence, and came the next [day] over against Chios; and the next [day] we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next [day] we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
In Acts 19 the city of Ephesus experiences a great disturbance caused by a guild of artisans who made their living by selling trinkets and amulets of the goddess Diana. Paul was caught up in the tumult that almost cost him his life until a city official quelled the mob before Paul could enter the arena where the chaos was centered. Now we see in verse 1 that that apostle makes his departure into Macedonia which had been his original intention before he was delayed. Initially Paul planned to go to Jerusalem first, but instead, he makes his way into Greece and itinerates there for three months. There are a group of Jews lying in wait for him at the port where he intends to go Syria but apparently, the plot is foiled, and Paul arrives in Troas for a seven-day stopover.
In Troas, the disciples come together on the first day of the week as is their custom. There will be breaking of bread as an observance of the communion rite and Paul will preach to them continuing his message long into the night. The room must have been crowded as there was a young man by the name of Eutychus up in the loft who falls asleep and slips from his perch plunging to his death. Paul immediately goes to the young man and stretches himself upon the body as Elijah has done in centuries passed and the boy comes back to life. After Eutychus is resurrected, they immediately give him food and bread because the superstition was that a ghost would not eat and in this way they are assured that the young man is actually alive and not an apparition.
This incident is one we can learn from. When the accident occurs, Paul does not give the situation time to sink into the minds of those gathered. He immediately acts to effect a miracle. Years ago in the first church, I pastored something of this nature occurred during a Sunday morning service. Just as I took my text, an elderly lady on the front row collapsed where she sat between two nurses. The nurses quickly examined her and looked up at me shaking their heads. I quieted the crowd and knelt over her to pray. I called her breath and her spirit back into her body, and with a shudder, she drew a deep breath and came back to life. Pandemonium broke out as the congregation convulsed in shock and rejoicing, running out into the street screaming in exultation at the resurrection that had just occurred. Learn in like situations to act with spontaneous faith before you allow the scene to sink in upon your consciousness. Believe God for a miracle and let God use you to bring a powerful testimony to His name.
Upon his departure from Troas Paul determines to make his way again to Ephesus and from there to set his face once more toward Jerusalem. He departs via Miletus and arrives at Ephesus calling upon the elders to gather themselves to him.
[Acts 20:17-38 KJV]
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 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, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 [And] how I kept back nothing that was profitable [unto you], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men]. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 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. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, 38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
When the elders and disicples gather to Paul, he offers them an extended farewell. He reminds them of the example that he set for him in faithful service in the midst of great trials and temptations. He declares that he held nothing back from that in teaching or doctrine that would be profitable to them as he taught publically and from house to house. He then discloses that he is going to Jerusalem not knowing what will happen to him when he gets there.
When Paul says, he doesn’t know what will befall him in Jerusalem that isn’t exactly the case. In the very next verse, he points out that in every city he traveled to recently there were prophetic utterances warning him that he will be imprisoned and mistreated there. What is taking place? Paul is being warned not to go but as he says in v. 24 he will not be deterred. He intends if it so occurs to die a martyr’s death in the holy city. The question we ask is if Paul is so warned why does he insist on following through? He thinks that he is going to finish his course there which as a matter of fact does not happen. Paul’s ministry will go on for several years after this. What does result after he goes to Jerusalem is many years of imprisonment and trials before kings and rulers as he makes his way to Rome eventually to be beheaded there. Did Paul make a mistake in going to Jerusalem at this time? The indication seems clear that it wasn’t God’s perfect will for Paul to go to Jerusalem at this time.
Undeterred Paul goes on to warn the elders that grievous wolves, false teachers will come among them not sparing the flock.
This most certainly happened as after Paul’s death Gnosticism was on the rise and all of Christianity was swept up into strife and unrest all the while a great tide of Roman persecution will begin, costing 10’s of 1000’s of lives under the rule of Nero.
In verse 32 Paul commends the people to God and reminds them that he did not take unfair advantage of them financially while in their midst. He didn’t live of the gospel during these years but worked with his own hands to minister to his need. Later he will write to the Corinthian church that he regrets this practice because it undermined his authority to minister among them. This is an important point. Leaders who pride themselves in being bi-vocational and not receiving financially for the work of their ministry cheapen the gospel in ways that hinder the work of God and the authority of God’s leadership. There is no commendation in scripture that ministers who preach the gospel should do so without payment. This is a grievous error and wrong thinking that significantly pollutes Christian culture even today.
In verse 36 Paul kneels down and prays with all those that are gathered, knowing that this is the last time they will see him. The people fall on Paul’s neck with tears of regret that they will see his face no more. This is one of the most poignant scenes in the New Testament. Paul was more than a public figure to these men and women. He was a father in the faith who changed their lives forever. Would that all God’s leaders had the maturity and the compassion that motivated the crowd to respond in this way to Paul’s departure. After goodbyes are given the people rise and accompany Paul down to the ship to see him off to Jerusalem where he will have quite a different welcome.