Study From the Book of Acts,20

Study From the Book of Acts,20

Today we study the twentieth   chapter of the Book of Acts and we choose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

Often the Jewish pilgrim ships left for Syria taking Jews to the Passover. Paul had intended to sail on such a ship, but after the plot against his life was discovered, he decided he would celebrate the Passover with his friends in Philippi. Paul was very sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life and ministry.

In the first day of the week, Sunday, the people gathered to worship for the same reason we do today. The primary purpose of the gathering was the Lord’s supper.

Because the room had many people, it was probably stuffy and hot. No wonder Eutychus had difficulty staying awake, so he fell dead from the window he was sitting on it in the third story and died. However, Paul went down, fell on him and embraced him and brought the young man back alive.

Some say that Paul was out of the will of God in going to Jerusalem after the warnings of bonds and afflictions. But there is no evidence that Paul was rebelling against God. On the contrary Jesus Himslef confirmed that the trip was part of His good and perfect will. While Paul was in a Jerusalem prison, Jesus appeared to him to tell him to take courage. The Lord explained to Paul that just as he had solemnly witnessed for the cause of Christ in Jerusalem, he would do the same in Rome.

There are always two threats to the church, one from the outside and one from the inside. Unbelievers are a dangerous threat from the outside; the arrogant and self-serving believers are a threat from within. Elders of the church should protect the flock by care and teaching.

Structure:

Verses 1-6: journey in Greece.

Verses 7-12: ministering in Troas

Verses:13-16-: from Troas to Miletus.

Verses 17-38: the Ephesian elders exhorted.

Principle 39: 20:24 --“---nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus.”

Lesson 39: Paul found his life by losing it, and loved his life by not counting it dear.He had learned from his Saviour to love God’s will over everything else, and he realized that obeying Him yielded the greatest joys.

Principle 40: verse 20:35:” ----And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Lesson 40: None of the four canonical Gospels record this saying of Jesus.; apparently it circulated among the disciples and eventually made it way to Paul. But it carries just as much authority as the Lord’s other sayings.29/6/2025.