Friday, August 21, 2009

Acts 20

The "we" and "us" is Luke who is with Paul. Verse 7 is the first indication that the new Sabbath is "the first day of the week." I love verse 9 because it tells me it's okay if we fall asleep in church once in awhile. Unfortunately, it's probably saying that long sermons are necessary sometimes. The year is 57 a.d. and in that year, Paul wrote 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, and Galatians.

Paul's tearful farewell tells us of his love for the saints and his love and dedication to the Lord. Verses 23 and 24 tell us of his courage in teaching the gospel because in every city he entered he faced prison and "afflictions." He says none of those things would stop him, that he didn't worry about his life, he just wanted to finish his mission with joy. He ends it quoting words of the Savior that are not in the New Testament "It is more blessed to give than to receive." When he finished his farewell, Luke says he had prayer with them and then they all "wept sore" and embraced him because they knew they would never see him again.

We learn for the first time that the apostasy has already started. Members and leaders alike are teaching false doctrines, are leaving the church and trying to take away others with them. Apostates, those who leave in sin, can never leave the church alone. They will persecute the church and the members and try to persuade others through false statements to leave with them. Notice that Paul says, "For I know this, after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. It won't be too many years before the apostasy is complete.

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