Act 20:32-35 | KingComments | STEP | Paul has spoken about his service, both in terms of his mind and behavior and in terms of its contents. He also reminded them of their responsibility in view of the upcoming developments. Now he commends them to God and to His grace as expressed in His Word. Paul and the other apostles have not placed their authority in hands of men. There is no apostolic succession whatsoever. What remains when the apostles disappear is God and the word of His grace. The Word has always remained. From that source the believer can draw in all times the strength to know God’s thoughts about the Lord Jesus and to live to His honor. But also the attacks have remained that are aimed that the people of God will not draw their strength from that Word. Attempts are being made to add new revelations to the Word, both in the form of traditions and in the form of people who say that God has shown them certain things. In the history of the church, traditions have soon determined the explanation. Today, the authority of the Word is challenged and criticized. All these attacks can only be turned down if we give the Word its full authority over our life and if we are aware that the grace of God wants to help us in this. Then the Word not only offers protection, but also builds up, establishes and comforts us and encourages us and brings us into the inheritance. We already have a share in the inheritance of the saints in the light ( ) and we will actually participate when we reign with Christ ( ). “Among all those who are sanctified” means in the midst of all the saints, together with them. Those who are sanctified are a group of people set apart by God to possess this inheritance together. To belong to those who are sanctified is a great privilege and solely due to God and the word of His grace.

‏ Acts 20:32-35

God and the Word of His Grace

Paul has spoken about his service, both in terms of his mind and behavior and in terms of its contents. He also reminded them of their responsibility in view of the upcoming developments. Now he commends them to God and to His grace as expressed in His Word. Paul and the other apostles have not placed their authority in hands of men. There is no apostolic succession whatsoever. What remains when the apostles disappear is God and the word of His grace.

The Word has always remained. From that source the believer can draw in all times the strength to know God’s thoughts about the Lord Jesus and to live to His honor. But also the attacks have remained that are aimed that the people of God will not draw their strength from that Word. Attempts are being made to add new revelations to the Word, both in the form of traditions and in the form of people who say that God has shown them certain things. In the history of the church, traditions have soon determined the explanation. Today, the authority of the Word is challenged and criticized.

All these attacks can only be turned down if we give the Word its full authority over our life and if we are aware that the grace of God wants to help us in this. Then the Word not only offers protection, but also builds up, establishes and comforts us and encourages us and brings us into the inheritance. We already have a share in the inheritance of the saints in the light (Col 1:12) and we will actually participate when we reign with Christ (Eph 1:10-14).

“Among all those who are sanctified” means in the midst of all the saints, together with them. Those who are sanctified are a group of people set apart by God to possess this inheritance together. To belong to those who are sanctified is a great privilege and solely due to God and the word of His grace.

Paul Again Points to His Example

Paul left not only his teachings with them, but also his example. Doctrine and practice belong together. Passing on the doctrine must go hand in hand with setting a good example. For some Christian leaders, money is the driving force of their work. They see religion as a source of income (1Tim 6:5). This was not the case with Paul. He wanted to be completely independent of them. He also did not feel too good to just work with his hands. He showed the elders his furrowed, callous hands. By doing so he had not only worked for himself, but also for those who were with him.

What an unbridled dedication this man showed and all that for the benefit of others. He especially cared about the fate of the poor. We should not take advantage of the weak, but rather dedicate ourselves to them. How easily we only want to dedicate ourselves to people we enjoy ourselves or because of the advantage it gives us. Then we do not resemble the Lord Jesus. That is exactly what Paul wanted and that is what he presents to the elders and to us.

To underline the importance of working like this, Paul quotes a word that the Lord Jesus spoke. If we read the Gospels, we will not encounter that statement. But does this statement not show the whole tenor of the Lord’s life and does it not correspond to the teaching He has given about ‘giving’ (Lk 14:14)?