Now the dear Apostle Paul comes near the end of his address to the elders, in Acts 20. No doubt the tears ran down his cheeks as he told them the sad news as to what would happen after he was no longer among them. Satan was busy himself in dividing and scattering them. This dispersion was going to take place in two ways. First, evil teachers, such as Judge Rutherford of Jehovah Witnesses, Joseph Smith of Mormonism, and their kind, would arise as grievous wolves and tear the flock to pieces if possible. But the second danger of which the Apostle warned them was more serious than the first. The second scattering would be those of their own number who would form parties and divide the flock. “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:30). Ah, that was what made Paul weep. That was the reason he said, “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (vs. 31). Oh, how sad it is when a brother assumes the responsibility for dividing the saints of God. They speak perverse things, headstrong things, self-willed things. What for? “To draw disciples after them.” The church of God has suffered under that scourge all down through its history. The spirit of the thing was already abroad in Paul’s day, so that some were saying, “I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ” (1 Cor. 1:12). But it is just as heinous in God’s sight today as it was then. God’s estimate has not changed in the least.
Under-Shepherds
One of the saddest tragedies that can possibly come into the life of a servant of the Lord is that of being guilty of leading a portion of the church of God away from Christ the Center. How contrary to the heart of Christ for one to seek a following after himself! The Good Shepherd desires to see the flock kept together; He loves them every one. An old brother used to say, “Remember, our Lord Jesus has under-shepherds who tend the flock, but He does not have any sheepdogs.” In what spirit do I yearn after those whom I may see straying? Is my concern a self-righteous, pharisaical one, or do I have the heart of Christ, the Chief Shepherd? Do I long to see these scattered sheep gathered back to Christ the Center, that they may again be happy in His presence?
The Commendation
“Now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace” (Acts 20:32). Notice, Paul did not say, “I commend you to the elders” or “to the deacons.” He commended them to no earthly authority whatsoever. He commended them to two unchanging and unchangeable objects — God and the Word. Can God change? No. Can the Word change? No. “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89). He commended them “to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Such is the wish of God for all of us today, that we might be built up in the faith—that we might be readied for the grand inheritance that awaits us. God’s people are a sanctified people, a separated people, a gathered-out people. Paul knew that the will of God as expressed in His Word would be realized among a separated and holy people. When we see saints of God seeking to commingle the holy things of God with the trash of the world, what an insult it is to the blessed Lord! This spirit of admixture of the holy and the profane is all about us today. Let us avoid it as we would a plague. Oh, beloved, let us wake up! Let us remember how near we are to the end. Are our associations those whom God can call sanctified? Are our relaxations from time to time sanctified relaxations? God has no objections to our coming apart to rest and relax, but are such periods in harmony with His will for us?
The Prayer
Now verse 36: “When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.” Prayed with them, not at them, not over them. They all knelt together, and he prayed with them all. “They all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him.” How lovely are the affections of the people of God! Do not ever seek for anything like it in the world, for you will never find it. This wonderful fellowship into which you and I have been brought is the fruit of Calvary. It comes down from above, from the head of the church. “They fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him.” How they loved him! Was he an unfaithful shepherd? Had he always spoken smooth things to them? Was he always trying to conform them to his personal comfort? Absolutely not! But when it came to the farewell, their hearts and consciences told them that this dear man of God had told them the truth. And the Spirit of God caused their tears and his to be mingled, as they parted for the last time on earth.
“They should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.” They watched him board the boat, and I can see them waving their farewells as the ship sails away. How well I remember parting from a dear old servant of the Lord some 50 years ago. As our boat left the wharf, this old veteran servant stood on the shore, and as long as we could see him he was waving his handkerchief at us. That was our last sight of him in this world. Our next meeting will be the one “in the air” when the Lord comes for His church. Oh, beloved, how real are the affections of Christ! Let us not betray them. Let us not seek a substitute. Let us come closer together. We need one another. I need your encouragement, and I would love to be a little encouragement to you, while together we await His coming.
C. H. Brown (adapted)