TURN TO JESUS IN REPENTANCE AND FAITH , Sarah Barry
TEACHING REPENTANCE AND FAITH
Passage: Acts 20:13~21  
Key verse: 21
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.(A) 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus(B) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,(C) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,(D) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.(E)
17 From Miletus,(F) Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders(G) of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,(H) from the first day I came into the province of Asia.(I) 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears(J) and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.(K) 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything(L) that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews(M) and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance(N) and have faith in our Lord Jesus.(O)
Cross references
- Acts 20:15 : ver 17; 2Ti 4:20
- Acts 20:16 : S Ac 18:19
- Acts 20:16 : S Ac 2:9
- Acts 20:16 : S Ac 19:21
- Acts 20:16 : S Ac 2:1
- Acts 20:17 : ver 15
- Acts 20:17 : S Ac 11:30
- Acts 20:18 : Ac 18:19-21; 19:1-41
- Acts 20:18 : S Ac 2:9
- Acts 20:19 : Ps 6:6
- Acts 20:19 : S ver 3
- Acts 20:20 : ver 27; Ps 40:10; Jer 26:2; 42:4
- Acts 20:21 : Ac 18:5
- Acts 20:21 : S Ac 2:38
- Acts 20:21 : Ac 24:24; 26:18; Eph 1:15; Col 2:5; Phm 5
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. A farewell meeting in Miletus (13-17)
Paul was going to Jerusalem, where danger and possibly death awaited him. He met the elders of the Ephesian church in Miletus, for what might be the last time. He had important final words to say to his flock in Ephesus. He wanted to encourage and warn them, and give them direction for the future.
2. Teach repentance and faith (18-21)
Paul had worked among them with great humility and tears, but his ministry was not people-centered. He served the Lord. The Jews, the 'good' religious people, became enemies of God and tools of Satan. But Paul did not fight them with political weapons. He depended on God, endured everything, and taught the gospel--repentance toward God and faith in Jesus. He was a diligent shepherd who taught his people the Bible both publicly and one-to-one; he said what needed to be said.
Prayer: Lord, help me to teach your word clearly and humbly, and help others to repent before you and have faith in Jesus.
One Word: Teach repentance and faith