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This prisoner of Christ Jesus had a very positive mission "on behalf of you Gentiles".
In Acts 19: the apostle ended his synagogue witness (8 and 9). In Acts 20: he
concluded his ministry which he had up till then pursued. As we listen to his words to
the elders of Ephesus, observing how he reviews the manner and matter of his ministry
(18-21, 26, 27, 32-35), listening to their grief, "sorrowing most that they should see his
face no more" (25 and 38), hearing him foretell the advent of the grievous wolves after
his departure, we are impressed with the imminence of a crisis. His ministry is summed
up in the words, "Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance toward
God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (21), "Preaching the Kingdom of God"
(25), and declaring "all the counsel of God" (27). We may legitimately supplement this
summary by adding his further statement before Agrippa. Following upon the heavenly
vision on the road to Damascus the apostle outlines the course and the character of his
ministry by saying that he:--
"shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts
of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works
meet for repentance . . . . . saying none other things than those which the prophets and
Moses did say should come; that Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that
should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles"
(Acts 26: 19-23).
It is evident, however, from both Acts 20: and Acts 26: that the apostle, while
conscious of the conclusion of one ministry, was also equally certain that he was about to
enter into another. The words "And now" of Acts 20: 22 indicate a change. Before ever
he was bound by the chain of Rome Paul could say, "Behold I go bound in the spirit unto
Jerusalem". He further went not knowing the things which should meet him there, except
that the Holy Spirit witnesseth in every city saying that bonds and afflictions awaited
him. "But", he concludes with humble confidence, "of no account make I life precious to
myself, so that I may finish my course, even the ministry which I have received of the
Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (20: 22-25). That Paul had a
two-fold ministry Acts 26: 16-18 bears abundant evidence, and it is obvious that the
second commission dates from about this time, for so vividly does the apostle recall the
Lord's second appearing to him that he does not say "unto whom He sent me", but
". . . . . the Gentiles, unto whom NOW I SEND THEE". Paul's appeal unto Caesar was a
step in the fulfillment of the Divine commission.
Acts 26: 18 contains in every sentence a foreshadowing of the prison epistles.
"To open their eyes."
"The eyes of your heart having been enlightened" (Eph. 1: 18).
"To turn them from darkness
"Delivered us from the authority of darkness" (Col. 1: 13).
to light."
"And from the authority of
"The Prince of the authority of the air" (Eph. 2: 2).
Satan unto God."
"The Rulers of the darkness of this world" (Eph. 6: 12).
"That they may receive
"Redemption . . . . . the forgiveness of sins" (Eph. 1: 7).
forgiveness of sins."
"Inheritance among those
"His inheritance among the saints (`sanctified')" (Eph. i.18).
having been sanctified."
"Meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints
(sanctified) in the light" (Col. 1: 12).