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The same word is also used by Paul, when he claims that he had been made "a
minister" in connection with the ministry of the Mystery (Eph. 3: 7 and Col. 1: 23).
This ministry Paul says he "received", and, in after years, he wrote to Timothy:
"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful,
putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and
injurious" (I Tim. 1: 12, 13).
The ministry which the Apostle received is defined in a variety of ways. In Acts 9:,
the Apostle was told that he was a chosen vessel to bear the name of the Lord Jesus
before Gentiles and Kings, and before the children of Israel. In Acts 26: 16-18, we
have a very full statement concerning his ministry, which we shall have to consider when
we reach this chapter. Here, in chapter 20:, however, it is defined very simply as a
"testimony of the gospel of the grace of God". A man may be a wonderful speaker, and
by the power of his oratory may be able to move his audience to tears or laughter. A man
who "testifies", on the other hand, may sound in the ears of those accustomed to oratory
"contemptible", and yet his words may carry conviction, and move his audience, not
merely to tears but to repentance and faith. A "witness", however, can scarcely hope for
a hearing if his manner of life does not agree with his doctrine. In the N.T. preacher and
teacher alike are given the title "witness". John the Baptist was sent to "bear witness" of
the Light (John 1: 7), and in Acts 1: 8 we read that the apostles were appointed at
Jerusalem as "witnesses", the resurrection being specially stressed as the object of their
witness (Acts 1: 22). The whole of Paul's ministry is summed up by the Lord himself as a
"witness", for in Acts 23: we read:
"Be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou
bear witness also at Rome" (Acts 23: 11).
The Apostle himself sums up his ministry in similar terms when speaking before
Agrippa:
"Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to
small and great, saying none other things than those which the Prophets and Moses did
say should come"(Acts 26: 22).
It was because Paul was a witness that he served with humility, for he could take no
personal credit for his message. As a witness (or martyr), he was not deflected from the
path of faithfulness by either tears or temptations. As a witness, he kept back nothing
that was profitable. As a witness he "testified" to both Jews and Greeks. Even though at
Jerusalem bonds and afflictions awaited him, these things could not hinder his witness,
though they might completely prevent other forms of service.
Resuming the description of his ministry, the Apostle continues, in verse 25:
"And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the
kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day,
that I am pure from the blood of all men" (Acts 20: 25, 26).