Paul's Meeting with the Ephesian Elders - Part One

Paul was torn as he sailed past Ephesus; he was committed to reaching Jerusalem before Pentecost and knew that a stop in Ephesus would delay his trip. At the same time, he was convinced he'd never return to Asia and so was burdened to see the Ephesians one more time. He'd spent three years in Ephesus and was tightly bound to the saints in that city. He found the compromise in calling for the Ephesian elders to come to him while he and his companions waited at Miletus to board a ship for the next leg of their journey. Luke's account of this meeting makes a crucial contribution to his Acts record, not merely because it's the only speech in Acts directed at Christians - and Christian leadership at that, but because it provides a concise summary of what Paul considered to be of first importance and greatest consequence respecting the Church's oversight. Paul was convinced that this was his last opportunity to minister to the elders of Ephesus and exhort and encourage them in their work, and so he chose his topics and words very carefully. His words were directed to them, but they stand as Christ's instruction to His shepherds in every place and generation.