Acts 20

Sacrament

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. Acts 20:7

The Saints gather on Sunday, the day Christ rose, to break bread in remembrance of Him. This is an early picture of partaking of the sacrament on the Lord's day.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Luke 22:19 — Jesus broke bread: 'this do in remembrance of me'

Jesus Christ

Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: Acts 20:19

Paul describes his years of service to the Lord, whom he names in verses 21 and 24 as the Lord Jesus Christ. He served Him humbly through tears and danger.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Faith in Christ

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21

Paul sums up everything he taught Jews and Greeks: repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ. These are the first principles of the gospel.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Jesus Christ

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

Paul's calling came directly from the Lord Jesus, and he values finishing it more than his own life. His mission is to testify of God's grace offered through Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Atonement

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28

The Church belongs to the one who bought it with His own blood, Jesus Christ. Calling Him 'God' who shed His blood testifies that the Savior who suffered is divine.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Good Shepherd

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28–29

The elders are under-shepherds of a flock that belongs to Christ, and must guard it from wolves. The imagery echoes Jesus as the Good Shepherd who protects His sheep.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 10:12 — the Good Shepherd discourse: 'the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep'

Jesus

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

Paul quotes something Jesus said that is not written in any of the four Gospels. The Savior's own words teach that giving brings greater blessing than getting.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him