It Was A Pastoral Oversight; They Were Shepherds

Luke called them presbuvteroi (“elders”), a word borrowed from the Jewish synagogue (Acts 20:17), while Paul called them ejpivskopoi (“overseers or guardians”), a word borrowed from a Greek context (v. 28). The two titles evidently described the same people.

Their function was pastoral, caring for God’s flock. The Greek verb poimaivnein means “to do the work of a shepherd or tend a flock,” and in particular “to lead a flock to pasture, and so to feed it.” This is the first duty of shepherds. “Should not the shepherds feed the flock?” (Ezek. 34:2). Translating the metaphor, the first duty of pastors is to teach the Word of God to the people of God. Whether preaching from the pulpit, training a group, or counseling an individual, the pastoral ministry is a ministry of the Word.

It Was A Plural Ministry; There Were Several Elders

There is no biblical warrant either for the one-man band (a single pastor playing all the instruments of the orchestra himself) or for a hierarchical or pyramidal structure in the local church (a single pastor perched at the apex of the pyramid). On the contrary, the local church had a plural oversight from the beginning. During the first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas ordained elders (in the plural) in every church (Acts 14:23). In Miletus Paul sent for the elders of the church of Ephesus (again plural, Acts 20:17). Later he instructed Titus to select and appoint elders (once more plural) in the churches he superintended (Titus 1:5). So today the concept of a pastoral team is needed–including full-time and part-time people, salaried and voluntary, or ordained and lay.

In developing the pastoral metaphor, Paul described his own teaching ministry among them as their shepherd, warned them of the rise of false teachers, whom he called “wolves,” and affirmed the value of the people, who are God’s sheep. So the example of the shepherd, the danger of the wolves, and the value of the sheep are the three topics of his valedictory speech.

The Example of the Apostle Paul (the Shepherd)

In Acts 20:18-27 Paul looked back on his ministry and reminded the elders of his example. Without doubt they had watched him closely. Yet he was able to say that he had no misgivings or regrets about his ministry among them. There had been a degree of thoroughness about it, which left his conscience clear.

Paul Had Been Thorough In His Teaching

What had he proclaimed to them? He called it “the gospel of the grace of God” (v. 24) and of the kingdom of God (v. 25). He had also taught the necessity of both repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ (v. 21). The great related gospel themes of grace and faith, divine rule and human repentance had been spelled out.

Twice Paul said that he did not “shrink” from his teaching responsibility. He did not “hesitate” (NIV) to declare anything profitable to them (v. 20), the whole counsel (or plan) of God (v. 27). Perhaps these phrases refer to the same thing, since all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16). What was this “whole purpose of God”? Doubtless it included the great doctrines of creation by God (as Paul unfolded this in Athens), redemption by Christ, and regeneration by the Spirit; the bringing into being of the church; the ethical standards of Christian discipleship; together with final salvation and final judgment. Much of contemporary preaching appears very thin in contrast to the whole purpose of God Paul unfolded.

Paul Had Been Thorough In His Coverage

Paul was as concerned to reach the whole population of Ephesus as he was to teach the whole purpose of God. He wanted to teach everything to everybody! So he had a ministry to both Jews and Greeks (Acts 20:21). In fact Luke described this in the previous chapter (chap. 19). He wrote that Paul first spent three months speaking boldly to Jews in the synagogue, and then for two years he rented the lecture hall of Tyrannus, where he argued the gospel daily (vv. 8-10), the Bezan text adding “from the fifth hour to the tenth,” from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. A daily five-hour lecture, six days a week for two years, would represent 3,120 hours of gospel argument! It is not surprising that Luke immediately commented that “all who lived in [the province of] Asia heard the Word of the Lord.” For everybody came up to Ephesus, the capital city, on some occasion, perhaps on market day, or to visit a relative or a politician, or do some shopping. And one of the sights of the town was to listen to this lecturer Paul, for he was at it five hours every day. Many dropped in, listened, were converted, and returned to their villages born again. It is a great strategy for the city center, which is needed today.

Paul set forth a very challenging example in his resolve to reach everyone with the gospel. For pastors too should be concerned not only for the flock of God already gathered in, but for those “other sheep” whom Jesus mentioned, who are still lost. Must believers not go out into the secular wilderness in order to seek and to save them? How can Christian leaders be content until every soul in their district has heard the gospel?

Paul Had Been Thorough In His Methods

Paul threw himself into his ministry with his whole heart and soul. He talked to people both publicly in the synagogue and in the hall of Tyrannus, and privately “from house to house” (Acts 20:20). He also continued day and night (v. 31). He was absolutely indefatigable. Nothing could stop him, not even the “tears and trials” (v. 19) he experienced through the plots of the Jews. He did not consider his life to be of value, for he was quite ready to lay it down (v. 24), to die in the service of the gospel. His only ambition, like his Master before him, was to finish the race and to complete the task he had been given to do.

In all this the sincerity of Paul’s commitment was obvious. He had no ulterior motives. He was not seeking his own power or prestige. He had coveted no one’s money or possessions (v. 33). On the contrary he had supported himself and his colleagues by working with his own hands (v. 34). His whole ministry, both manual and pastoral, had exemplified the words of the Lord Jesus that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (v. 35).

Such was the thoroughness of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. In modern terms it was a fine example of “evangelism in depth.” Paul omitted no part of God’s revealed message. He neglected no section of the local community. He left no stone unturned in devising means to reach the people. He permitted himself no relaxation of his high standards of life and ministry.

He shared all possible truth with all possible people in all possible ways. He taught the whole gospel to the whole city with his whole strength. Only then could he make the solemn and daring claim that he was innocent of the blood of all people (v. 26).

Perhaps he was consciously echoing God’s instruction to Ezekiel. God appointed the prophet a watchman over the house of Israel, telling him to warn the people and that if he failed to do so, their blood would be required at his hand (Ezek. 33:1-9). Paul had been a faithful watchman. He had been conscientious in both teaching and warning the people. So he was innocent; no one’s blood would be required at his hand.

Paul’s example must have been an unfailing inspiration to the Ephesian elders, and his thoroughness and devotion remain a standing challenge. The church needs Christian leaders of the same dedication today, who are determined with their whole heart to bring the whole gospel to their whole city or neighborhood.

The Rise of False Teachers (the Wolves)

In Acts 20:28 Paul spoke of the sheep and their shepherd. Now in verse 29 he spoke of the wolves. The exhortation of verse 28 is based on the knowledge of verse 29. Because Paul knew that after his departure false teachers would enter the church, he begged the Ephesian elders to be diligent in teaching the people. Their care of God’s sheep must be all the more diligent because of the danger from the wolves. In the ancient Near East, wolves were the chief enemy of sheep. Sheep were defenseless against them, so that shepherds could not afford to relax their vigilance.

It is not difficult to interpret what Paul was referring to. In fact he supplied his own interpretation in verse 30. For he moved from the metaphor of wolves not sparing the flock to the rise of men who would distort the truth and draw away disciples after them, some entering the flock from without, and others rising from within.

This prophecy came true. First Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, and Christ’s later letter to Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7) show that this happened. Jesus Himself had issued the same warning in general terms. “Beware of false prophets,” He had said. He had also warned that they would come in disguise, insinuating their way into the unwary flock as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matt. 7:15).

Therefore “be on your guard!” Paul urged (Acts 20:31). Good shepherds, like those in the fields near Bethlehem, are to “keep watch over their flock by night,” and by day as well. Good shepherds are concerned to guard their people from false teachers.

The shepherds of Christ’s flock have a double duty: to feed the sheep, and to protect them from wolves. The shepherds’ first duty is to teach the truth, and their second is to warn of error. Paul later emphasized this in his letter to Titus, when writing about candidates for elders. They must hold firm the sure word according to the apostolic teaching, he said, so that they would be able both to give instruction “in sound doctrine and [also] to refute those who contradict” it (Titus 1:9).

This emphasis is unpopular today. It is frequently said that pastors must always be positive in their teaching, never negative. But those who say this have either not read the New Testament or, having read it, they disagree with it. For the Lord Jesus and His apostles gave the example and even set forth the obligation to be negative in refuting error. Is it possible that the neglect of this ministry is one of the major causes of theological confusion in the church today? To be sure, theological controversy is distasteful to sensitive spirits and has its spiritual dangers. Woe to those who enjoy it! But it cannot conscientiously be avoided. If, when false teaching arises, Christian leaders sit idly by and do nothing or turn tail and flee, they will earn the terrible epithet “hirelings” who care nothing for Christ’s flock. Is it right to abandon His sheep and leave them defenseless against the wolves to be like “sheep without a shepherd”? Is it right to be content to see the flock scattered and individual sheep torn to pieces? Is it to be said of believers today, as it was of Israel, that “they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field” (Ezek. 34:5)? Today even some of the fundamental doctrines of historic Christianity are being denied by some church leaders, including the infinite personality of the living God, the eternal deity, virgin birth, atoning death, and bodily resurrection of Jesus, the Trinity, and the gospel of justification by grace alone through faith alone without any meritorious works. Pastors are to protect God’s flock from error and seek to establish them in the truth.

The Value of the People (the Sheep)

Implicit in Acts 20:28 is the truth that the pastoral oversight of the church belongs ultimately to God Himself. He is the supreme Overseer of all things, and especially of His people. Each of the three persons of the Trinity has some share in this oversight.

It is not clear whether verse 28 should read “the church of God” (as in RSV and NIV) or “the church of the Lord” (as in NEB). In either case it is plain that the church is God’s church; it belongs ultimately to God the Father.

It is also not clear whether verse 28 should read that He purchased the church “with His own blood” (NIV) or “with the blood of His own” (RSV), referring to His only Son. In either case it is plain that the blood with which the church has been bought is the blood of Christ, the Son of God. And in this church, which belongs to God and has been bought by Christ, the Holy Spirit appoints overseers. So the oversight is His too.

This splendid truth, that the pastoral oversight of the church belongs to God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), should have a profound influence on one’s ministry.

It Should Humble The Overseers

The church does not belong to the overseers. They have no proprietary rights over it. They should therefore be extremely cautious in their use of possessive adjectives. It may be appropriate for kings and queens to talk of “my people,” but it is unbecoming for pastors to do so. When the Corinthians were arguing that they belonged to Paul, Apollos, or Cephas (1 Cor. 1:12; cf. 3:4), Paul reversed the sentiment and wrote, “All things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas” (1 Cor. 3:21-22). In addition the people are God’s people, not the pastors’, and the oversight of them is God’s, even after it has been delegated to the pastors.

It Should Encourage The Overseers

For, although God delegates a part of the pastoral oversight of the church to elders, He does not relinquish His responsibilities. The church is still His church, and the oversight is still His. He created the church, bought it, owns it, indwells it, and supervises it. He will never allow it to wither away or die. Though individual sheep may suffer from bad pastors, yet God will preserve His church from destruction and bring to completion the work He has begun. Even the gates of Hades (the power of death) will not be able to destroy it (Matt. 16:18). It is a great encouragement to remember this.

It Should Inspire The Overseers

Pastors always need to remember their privilege in being shepherds of the flock of God. Sheep are not at all the clean and cuddly creatures they sometimes appear. In fact they are dirty, subject to unpleasant pests, and regularly need to be dipped in chemicals to rid them of lice, ticks, and worms! They are also unintelligent, wayward, and obstinate. Naturally one should hesitate to apply the metaphor too closely or to call the people of God dirty, lousy, or stupid! But some Christian ministers find some church members a great trial, even as some members find some ministers a great trial. People can be extremely perverse and aggravating.

How can Christian leaders persevere in caring for such people? They must remember how precious they are, how valuable they are in the sight of God. They are so precious that the whole Trinity is involved in caring for them. They are the flock of God the Father. They were purchased by the precious blood of God the Son. And they are supervised by pastors appointed by God the Holy Spirit. If the three persons of the eternal Godhead are so concerned for the well-

being of the flock, should pastors not be also? In particular this is the emphasis here: if the Good Shepherd died for the sheep, should not the undershepherds be willing to live for them? The Son of God shed His blood for them; the Apostle Paul shed his tears for them; should not others be willing to spend their lives in their service?

As Richard Baxter wrote,

Oh then, let us hear these arguments of Christ, whenever we feel ourselves grow dull and careless: “Did I die for them, and wilt not thou look after them? Were they worth my blood and are they not worth thy labor? Did I come down from heaven to earth, to seek and to save that which was lost; and wilt thou not go to the next door or street or village to seek them? How small is thy labor and condescension as to Mine? I debased Myself to this, but it is thy honor to be so employed. Have I done and suffered so much for their salvation; and was I willing to make thee a coworker with Me, and wilt thou refuse that little that lieth upon thy hands?”

Reminding the Ephesian elders that they were shepherds, Paul invited them to look first at himself, the apostolic shepherd, who had set them an example; second at the wolves, soon to rise; and third at the sheep, infinitely precious because they were bought by the blood of Christ.

Conclusion

Two lessons may be learned from this passage.

First, pray that the Holy Spirit will appoint more pastors in the church. One must not follow the unbiblical tendency to despise the office and work of a pastor or to declare clergy to be redundant. No. Pastoral oversight is a permanent feature of the church. Though the New Testament gives no detailed blueprint for the pastorate, yet the ascended Christ still gives pastors and teachers to His church.

And they are greatly needed today. As the sheep multiply in many parts of the world, there is an urgent need for more pastors to feed or teach them. And as the wolves multiply, there is an equally urgent need for more pastors to rout them by giving their minds to the refutation of error. So the more sheep there are, and the more wolves there are, the more shepherds are needed to feed and protect the flock.

Second, pray not only for more pastors but for better pastors. As Paul wrote, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock” (Acts 20:28). Pastors have a duty to themselves as well as to their flocks.

In fact their duty to themselves takes precedence over their duty to the flock, since they cannot serve others if they neglect themselves. So it is important that they “keep watch over” (NIV) themselves, guarding their devotional life, maintaining the discipline of daily prayer and Bible meditation, and conforming their lives in thought, word, and deed to the high and holy standards of Scripture.

Only if pastors first guard themselves, will they be able to guard the sheep. Only if pastors first tend their own spiritual life, will they be able to tend the flock of God.

If God would but reform the ministry, and set them on their duties zealously and faithfully, the people would certainly be reformed. All churches either rise or fall as the ministry doth rise or fall, not in riches or wealthy grandeur, but in knowledge, zeal, and ability for their work.

Editor’s Note

This is the last in a series of four articles delivered by the author as the W. H. Griffith Thomas Lectures at Dallas Theological Seminary, November 3-6, 1987.