INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. The Leadership’s: Divine Appointment
Introductory Remarks.
1. The first lesson in this Series: “Divine Call to Leadership,” will be “The Leadership’s Divine Appointment.”
2. We will consider the elders at Ephesus’ divine appointment. Paul reminded them: “To 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 blood,” Acts 20:28. The call to leadership was from a divine source: the Holy Ghost. Who had “made them overseers, to feed the church of God” with the word of life.
3. This is urgently necessary because the “church is the prize possession of Christ, having been purchased with His blood.” With this brief introduction, let’s consider our first lesson.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE LEADERSHIP’S: DIVINE APPOINTMENT
A. Take heed: “First to yourselves.” Paul first charges the elders to conduct a self-examination and heed their soul’s condition, 2 Corinthians 13:5. He mentions his life and work among them in Ephesus after their arrival to Miletus. Notice:
1. First, he describes his commitment to them while he labored in Ephesus, establishing the church and appointing them to this office, Acts 20:17-24.
2. Further, he mentions his commission unto them regarding their work and the upcoming apostasy, Acts 20:25-32. We’ll speak more about this later in this lesson series.
3. Lastly, he outlines his character while he labored with them in Ephesus, Acts 20:33-35. He wrote: “I have coveted no man’s silver, gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive,” Acts 20:33-35.
4. Therefore, he could ask them to present themselves in the same fashion before the church and the citizens of Ephesus. Every elder ought to be an example before the flock. The elders must be capable teachers of the Word and walk in Christ. Notice...
a. Paul reminded these leaders:
1) First. “I taught you publicly and from house to house.”
2) Further, “For three months, I taught in the Jewish synagogue at Ephesus.”
3) Next, “And for two years in the school of Tyrannus.”
4) Finally, “Besides my teaching and preaching in the assembly, at Ephesus,” the apostle preached and taught them all necessary things that they might show works of “Repentance toward God, and faith in Jesus Christ,” Acts 20:21. I have shown you by my example how to love God and serve Jesus: “Your first love,” Revelation 2:4. Notice...
b. To Corinth, he wrote: “Be ye then a follower of me as I am of Christ,” 1 Corinthians 11:1. We cannot ask of the church that which we are not ourselves giving or demonstrating. I wish I had some help!
c. He admonished Timothy and Titus similarly, 1 Timothy 4:11-16; Titus 2:7-8. To be a “good example; and let no man despise thy youth,” Titus 2:15.
d. He further wrote: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also,” 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:14.
NOTE: Review our lesson “The Minister’s Life and Work” on SermonCentral.com to learn more about Paul's admonition to these young preachers.
B. Then to church: “All the flock.” He now turns their attention to the flock or the church. Please note he said, “To all the flock.” This, no doubt, refers to the makeup of the church of Christ in Ephesus. This assembly was attended by both “Jews and Gentiles.” Remember that you oversee “all the saints” in the body of Christ in Ephesus. Observe...
1. The church’s makeup is made of both “Jews and Gentiles.” Each is called into the same body by the “gospel of Christ.” Each was to have the same inheritance through their “calling and election” unto Jesus Christ. To the Ephesians’ Paul wrote: “That the Gentiles (the other members):”
a. “Should be fellow heirs.”
b. “And members of the same body.”
c. “And partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel,” Ephesians 3:1-6.
d. They were not a Jewish church or a Gentile church. But they were the church of Christ, having both nations as its members, Galatians 3:26-28.
e. Illustrate The Black and White Church. Are both these the Church of Christ? Can we exist as a membership with both white and black Christians? I am afraid...
1) The plague of segregation still haunts and shames the Lord’s people, with its roots as far back as slavery and “Jim Crow” in America. Will the church ever be able to present a united front to the world? I pray it will come soon, first in America and then worldwide. The divisions of white and black churches have existed long enough!
2) Will the church of Christ ever: “Strive together for the faith of the gospel?” Philippians 1:27. Wasn’t this the “will of God” from the beginning? Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20. That there be only: “One family in heaven and earth, in Christ.”
3) Will it ever stand again as: “One-fold, having one shepherd;” the body of Christ? John 10:16; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4-6.
4) I suggest not until the eldership: “Take heed to all the flock,” Acts 20:28.
5) Most of you don’t like hearing about this division. Some of the black congregations are fine with these divisions. But I must ask: “Is the Lord pleased with it?” Will he ever be pleased with it? Christ tore down the wall of partition in the first century. But, the church of Christ has followed the world’s views of separation and the building of walls rather than the Lord’s plan of removing them to ensure unity in the body of Christ. I wish I had some help! You folks are quiet this morning. Recall...
2. Paul wrote of the Gentiles' former and latter state as a people of God. Christ tore down the wall of separation between these two nations. We must do it also today. Notice:
a. First, “Wherefore remember; that ye being in times past... That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ...For through Him, we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father,” Ephesians 2:11-18.
b. Further, “Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints; and of the household of God...In whom ye also are built together for a(n) habitation of God through the Spirit,” Ephesians 2:19-22.
c. Finally, why was this statement so important? Take heed to all the flock! There is only one church, and its membership consists of all people.
3. There is only one “body” or “church.” To the Corinthians, Paul wrote:
a. First, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular,” 1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5.
1) All have been “baptized into one body,” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14.
2) All have been “added to the church of Christ, by the Lord,” Acts 2:47.
b. Further, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him... But now are they many members, yet but one body,” 1 Corinthians 12:18-20; Romans 12:3-4.
c. Finally, “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member be (is) honored, all the members rejoice with it,” 1 Corinthians 12:25-26; Romans 12:15.
4. This was necessary teaching and direction for the leadership because of the religious division that would plague the church during the 1st century. Jews could not get along with Gentiles; Gentiles could not stand Jews.
a. If the leadership does not set the tone for unity in the church, there will be none, and the church will be divided. And if it remains divided, all hope of winning the world for Christ will be lost.
b. Paul places this squarely upon the shepherd’s work among the saints! Amen, somebody! There is a “defining silence” across America regarding the Trump Administration's “separation and immigration” policies.
c. Evangelicals have supported it and have aligned themselves with the President and the Republican Party in Congress. We cannot serve two masters, Matthew 6:24.
d. The churches of Christ, however, have been silent also on these issues. Why? It has a history of such practices. Recall, it was silent during:
1) Slavery and Jim Crow. The Jim Crow law, in U.S. history, was designed to enforce racial segregation in the South between the end of Reconstruction in 1877 and the beginning of the civil rights movement in the 1950s. This was a wall of shame to America!
NOTE: Click on this link to learn more: http://newsreel.org/video/the-rise-and-fall-of-jim-crow. We cannot allow this nation to return to such evil practices.
2) During the Civil Rights Movement, There was a struggle for social justice, mainly during the 1950s and 1960s, for blacks to gain equal rights under the law in the United States. This was a time of social unrest in our Nation.
NOTE: Click the link to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement: https://g.co/kgs/Hbqp17.
3) Now, during the “separation and immigration" policies of this current administration. Consider...
e. Is there a voice of: “One crying in the wilderness to make straight a pathway for the Lord,” Matthew 3:1-3; Isaiah 40:3-5; Isaiah 57:14-15.
1) We cannot remain silent and hope to change the “evils of this Nation.” To remain silent to these influences is to give consent. Not to decide is to decide not to! Stand up, brothers: "In the name of Jesus."
2) What does God require? Have we as a Nation forgotten what God requires of His people? Consider...
a) Micah wrote: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly before thy God?” Micah 6:8; Proverbs 21:3; Hosea 6:6; Zephaniah 2:3.
b) Further, Ezekiel wrote: “There is a conspiracy of her prophet in the midst thereof...they have devoured souls; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows...Her priests have violated my law...Her princes are like wolves ravening the prey...to shed blood, destroy souls, get dishonest gain...The people of the land used oppression, exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger (immigrant) wrongfully...I sought for a man among them...but I found none...Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them...their way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD,” Ezekiel 22:25-31.
c) Solomon wrote: “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people,” Proverbs 14:34.
d) “With my soul have I desired thee in the night...with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the world's inhabitants will learn righteousness,” Isaiah 26:9.
e) Conclusion: When will America learn righteousness again? When will she again embrace the will of God and: “Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream,” Amos 5:24. Until judgment and righteousness return to America, God will not hear its songs of praise; its sacrifices and offerings, Amos 5:21-23; Isaiah 1:13-18; 1 Timothy 2:8; Psalms 66:18; Matthew 5:23-24.
NOTE: For more on this evil, review our lesson: “I Must Need Go Through Samaria” at SermonCentral.com.
5. Recall the divisions among the church at Jerusalem. It took the apostle Paul to go to Jerusalem and confront the “apostles and elders” regarding their divisions, Acts 15:1-24.
a. This type of behavior will stifle the work of the Lord.
b. For this reason, the “flag of leadership,” for the 1st-century church, was moved from Jerusalem down to Antioch, Acts 11:22-26; Acts 13:1-3.
6. Paul had to correct Peter in Antioch; for the same confusion, Galatians 2:11-16.
a. Worldly influences, such as hatred, prejudice, and segregation, often threaten the church’s position as an institution for love and unity.
1) The eldership must foster genuine love among the flock and demonstrate it to all the saints, without partiality (respect of persons), James 2:1; James 2:8-10.
2) The preachers should develop and maintain love within the congregation through their messages, Hebrews 13:1; Hebrews 10:24. There must not be “clicks” or “party” attitudes among the saints. The minister must preach against such practices and not be a part of any. I wish I had some help!
3) The membership must demonstrate sincere love and care, one to another, 1 Peter 1:22; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:1-3.
4) John wrote: “He who loves not his brother, walketh in darkness,” 1 John 2:9-11; 1 John 4:19-21. How can the church claim to love God yet hate its neighbor? Matthew 22:37-40. Hatred blinds the eyes to the needs and care of others. I trust you recall the lesson: “Go and do likewise?” Luke 10:25-37.
b. The church must be the beacon of friendship, fellowship, and inclusion for all people in its membership. To “save some” is to be a friend to all, 1 Corinthians 9:20-23; Proverbs 18:24.
c. The church must: “Let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another... Rejoice with them that rejoice... I agree with one another. Mind not high things but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your conceits,” Romans 12:9-16.
C. The leadership’s divine appointment: “Over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.” There is no mention on the isle of Miletus of their appointment, but it was Paul's custom to: “Ordain elders in every church,” Acts 14:22-23; Titus 1:5. Notice:
1. The Holy Ghost had set them in the church before Paul visited with them on the beach at Miletus. This was possibly the work of Timothy in Ephesus if Paul had not appointed them before the close of his second missionary journey, Acts 20:1; 1 Timothy 1:1-3.
a. The word “hath made” in the Gr., is tithemi, or te'-tha-me, which means to place, or set upright, in an active position; to advise, appoint; to make, ordain, put, or set (forth).
b. These men were “set in place” or “set forth” as overseers by the Holy Ghost.
c. We find the same word in Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians regarding members and apostles. Observe,
2. God has set members and leaders in the church as it pleased Him.
a. First, “But now hath God set (tithemi) the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him,” 1 Corinthians 12:18.
b. Second, “And God hath set (tithemi) some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers...diversities of tongues,” 1 Corinthians 12:28.
3. Christ has given gifts to men. He gave leadership to the church of Christ. Paul wrote: “And he (Christ) gave some, apostles; and, some prophets; and, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,” Ephesians 4:11; Romans 12:6-8. Notice...
a. The word given in Gr., is didomi, de'-do-me, which means to bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, make, to have power, put in place, set up.
b. Surely, this is the same idea as that of tithemi. Christ gave the church the gift of officers, and the Holy Ghost set them in place in the church.
c. The elders were also called “bishops” or “overseers” in the church. The words were often used interchangeably, as in Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28.
1) We find a similar use of these words in 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9.
2) Peter also uses these words in 1 Peter 5:1-5.
d. B. W. Johnson wrote: “If a man desires the office of a bishop. Here, for the first time in the New Testament, is there a delineation of the qualifications and duties of bishops and deacons? Both offices have been alluded to in Acts and are named in the first verse of the Epistle to the Philippians. To form a correct idea of the New Testament bishop, we must avoid modern episcopacy,” Page 523.
1) B. W. Johnson continues: “Each church had a plurality. Elders, presbyters, and bishops were only different designations for the same office. This arrangement was not changed until after the close of the first century and the death of the last apostles. There were both “elders and deacons” in the New Testament church. Concerning the interchangeability of the words “elders and bishops.” This is important because they were not separate offices or officers...They were being described differently,” Page 523.
2) B. W. Johnson concludes:
“(1) Paul (Acts 20:17) summons the “elders” of the church at Ephesus and, in verse 28, calls them “bishops.”
“(2) The church at Philippi had “bishops and deacons” who were named as the officers (Philippians 1:1).”
“(3) Paul in this Epistle (Ephesians) names bishops and deacons as the officers (chapter 3), but in 5:17–22, names “elders” as officers (in)trusted with the same duties; already named as those, of the bishops.”
“(4) In the Epistle to Titus, Paul commands (1:5) to “ordain elders in every city,” but in turn, describing the qualifications of an elder, he calls him a bishop (1:7).”
“(5) Peter (1 Peter 5:1, 2) addresses “elders” and commands them to exercise the office of “bishops” over the flock. The Greek word, and the word bishop, etymologically means to act as an overseer, or to take the oversight.”
“(6) I might add that Clement of Rome, who wrote to Corinthians about the beginning of the second century, uses the terms interchangeably,” Pages 523-524.
e. Conclusion: The Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit had a part in establishing New Testament leadership in the church. This is a divine appointment.
4. There was always a plurality of elders and deacons in the local church. Paul wrote: “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons,” Philippians 1:1; Acts 15:4; Acts 15:6. Stay with me now; some are going to say, I’m meddling! Observe...
5. The elders and deacons were also teachers and preachers in the early church:
a. Philip the evangelist (minister) was also a deacon, Acts 6:7; Acts 8; Acts 21:8.
b. Elders were also “teachers of sound doctrine,” 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Titus 2:1.
c. Elders were charged with “Holding fast the faithful words as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers,” Titus 1:9. Thus, the requirement that they be “Apt to teach” was necessary, 1 Timothy 3:2.
d. With this solid foundation of elders, bishops, teachers, and deacons, preachers. We have discussed their qualifications and work in the church.
6. It is appropriate now to discuss: “Women pastors and preachers.” Please note that we are not trying to be unkind or judgmental. There is no mention of women preachers or pastors in the New Testament. This work was left entirely unto men then and men today in the Lord’s church. While arresting and thwarting the scriptures, some religious groups take a more literal meaning of the word “pastor” in 1 Timothy 3:1-2 and 2 Peter 3:15-16. Consider...
a. First, Paul wrote: “This is a true saying, if a man desires the office of a bishop,” 1 Timothy 3:1a. Paul begins his discourse on the work by emphasizing that a man must have a sincere desire for the office.
1) The word man in Gr. is ei tis, or a' tes, which means: if any: —he that, if a-(any) man, whether any, whosoever. Their emphasis is on the idea of “whosoever.” They stress that the word does not eliminate the woman but could include her. A similar argument is made of “If any be blameless,” in Titus 1:6-9.
2) The word bishop in Gr., is episcope, which means, by implication, superintendence, especially the Christian “episcopate”—the office of a “bishop,” bishopric, or visitation. See Acts 1:20. The argument is that the Gr., word episkope, a noun: “Accusative Feminine Singular,” or N-ASF, could also include the woman as a bishop or pastor.
NOTE: In Acts 1:20, Luke describes the “office” and not the person in this text. Observe that the words “let another” V-2AAO-3S, and “another” A-NSM, are a verb and an adjective that modifies the noun “Judas” N-NSM in Acts 1:25. Whose, “the” T-NSM and “lot” N-NSM, “fell upon Matthias” N-ASM, “who was numbered with the eleven apostles,” Acts 1:26. [A short lesson in Greek Parsing].
NOTE: NSM stands for Nominative Singular Masculine. Please observe that the articles, nouns, verbs, and adjectives are all in the same case number and gender as “masculine.”
NOTE: Brothers, if you do this work for the Master, you must study the Greek language and own a good Greek-English Interlinear. I have recommended some in the References section at the end of this lesson. It is now time to get back to the lesson.
3) Remember, the word man in Gr., is ei tis or a' tes.
4) Let’s proceed further in the text and see if God has fixed this for us!
b. Further, he continued: “He desireth a good work,” 1 Timothy 3:1b. Here are the finishing thoughts of this verse: “He desireth a good work.” In Gr., the desireth is epithymeo, or e-pe-thü-me'-o, which means to set the heart upon, i.e., too long for: —covet, to desire, to yearn for or lust (after).
c. Next, he affirms: “A bishop then must be blameless.”
1) “The husband of one wife (at the time of his appointment),” 1 Timothy 3:2.
2) “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection,” 1 Timothy 3:4.
3) “(For if a man (ei tis) knows not how to rule his own house... how shall he take care of the church of God?),” 1 Timothy 3:5.
4) “He must have a good report among them that are without,” 1 Timothy 3:7.
d. Finally, he concludes: “Likewise must the deacons be...even so must their wives... Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife... ruling their houses well,” 1 Timothy 3:8-12. To rightly “divide the word of truth,” we must consider the entire context of the text under discussion, 2 Timothy 2:15.
e. Summary: The context indicates that the bishop and the deacon must be married (have one wife), have believing children, and rule their houses well. A woman bishop or deacon cannot be " the husband of one wife, or rule his own house well.” I wish I had some help!
D. Their divine work: “To feed the church of God.” The elders or bishops are charged with “feeding the church.” To fully understand this charge, we must investigate the meaning of “feed.” Consider...
1. The word feed in the Gr., is poimaino, or poi-mi'-no, which means to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, supervisor): —feed (cattle), to rule. The shepherd feeds the sheep and guides them. He does not drive the flock but leads it.
2. David’s picture of the Divine Shepherd: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He made me lie down in green pastures and leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake,” Psalms 23:1-3; Psalms 100:3.
3. Jesus the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep... I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so, know I the Father: I lay down my life for the sheep...And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: also, I must bring, and there shall be one-fold and one shepherd...This commandment have I received of my Father,” John 10:11-18. Peter and the other apostles were called to feed the church of Christ. Consider...
a. Jesus told Peter to: “Feed my sheep, feed my lambs,” John 21:15-17.
b. Peter, an elder, wrote: “Take the oversight, feed the sheep,” 1 Peter 5:1-2.
c. This is NOW the work of the eldership:
1) To speak to the flock: the word of the Lord, Hebrews 13:7; 1 Peter 5:2.
2) To watch over the souls of the saints, Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2.
3) To have rule over them: not as lords; but, as being an ensample to the flock, Hebrews 13:24; 1 Peter 5:3.
4. Isaiah wrote: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young,” Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:23; Ezekiel 37:24.
5. Jeremiah wrote: “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding,” Jeremiah 3:15; 1 Peter 2:1-3.
E. A prize possession: “He hath purchased with His blood.” Paul now moves his message to the preciousness of the church. The church was purchased with “the blood of Christ.” This makes her precious in the eyes of the Lord. Consider...
1. Peter wrote: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by the tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot,” 1 Peter 1:18-19.
2. Jesus said: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins,” Matthew 26:28. He shed His blood on the cross of Calvary, John 19:34.
3. Paul’s message regarding the blood of Christ:
a. First, “it was shed to purchase the church,” Acts 20:28.
b. Further, it brought peace: “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven,” Colossians 1:20. Note:
1) It was shed that: “The far off (the Gentiles) might be made nigh, by the blood of Christ,” Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 1:21.
2) It was shed for our redemption: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins,” Colossians 1:14; Ephesians 1:7. Consider...
a) Redemption was made possible: “Through his blood,” Colossians 1:14.
b) When Christ: “Made peace through the blood of his cross,” Colossians 1:20.
c) That: “The body of his flesh through death, (He) might present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled,” Colossians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:23-27.
3) Therefore, through His blood: “Atonement was possible; for in the blood there is life; and without the shedding of blood there is no remission,” Hebrews 9:22.
a) Matthew Henry wrote: “There was such a value in the blood of Christ that, on account of Christ's shedding it, God was willing to deal with men upon new terms to bring them under a covenant of grace, and for his sake, and in consideration of his death upon the cross, to pardon and accept to favor all who comply with them,” Page 1322.
b) B. W. Johnson wrote: “Having made peace. Christ came to make peace between Jew and Gentile, man and man, man and God. The means employed was the blood shed on the cross. Through the law, the partition wall between Jews and Gentiles was removed, and both alike had access to God. By him to reconcile all things unto himself, It pleased the Father (verse 19) ... (By) him (Christ) to reconcile all things to himself (the Father),” Page 498.
c. Jesus shed His blood to establish the New Covenant, Hebrews 9:14-17.
d. His blood is “the cup of blessing, the communion of the blood of Christ,” 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30. This we observe on the: “First day of the week,” Acts 20:7.
4. John wrote: “The lamb slain before the foundation of the world,” Revelation 13:8. That lamb was Christ, John 1:29.
5. Isaiah wrote: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with his stripes we were healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray...He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied... and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors,” Isaiah 53:5-13; 1 John 2:1-2. Let us now consider our next point.
6. As I move to a conclusion, let me state that both Matthew Henry and B. W. Johnson agree that the “washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost;” refers to the “new birth” in John 3:5, which is brought about: “By the washing of water by the word,” Titus 3:5. With Paul’s harmony of this idea within his Letter to Titus, clearly the meaning is the “washing of baptism.” Please refer to these writers yourself. On this note, let me conclude. Recall we mentioned...
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. The Leadership’s: Divine Appointment
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, we considered the elders at Ephesus’ divine appointment. Paul reminded them: “To take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His blood,” Acts 20:28.
2. Their call to leadership was from a divine person: the Holy Ghost. Who had “made them overseers, to feed the church of God” with the word of life. This is urgently necessary because the “church is the prize possession of Christ, having been purchased with His blood.”
C. Invitation. Present God’s pattern of conversion. Jesus said: “Come unto me all ye that labor,” Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: “repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,” Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: “Save thyself,” Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
