“You cannot please everybody” goes the saying. The point is that even if someone bends over backwards all the time to please everyone there are some people so predisposed to cynicism, unforgiveness or something else reject efforts of goodwill. Often someone will take comfort that being accommodating has its limitations and not take the failure so hard.
In 1st Century Jerusalem Paul tried some accommodation. He was a Jew who became a Christian and was misunderstood as rejecting the Old Testament. In obedience to James the bishop of Jerusalem he became a sponsor to Jewish Christians who adapted the Nazarite vow tradition of growing their hair until it was fulfilled. This was pure and loving but apparently unsuccessful.
When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd, and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching men everywhere against the people and the law and this place; moreover he also brought Greeks into the temple, and he has defiled this holy place.” For they had previously seen Troph′imus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Then all the city was aroused, and the people ran together; they seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. And as they were trying to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them; and when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up and arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another; and as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; for the mob of the people followed, crying, “Away with him!” (Acts 21:27-36).
When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd– – Paul’s move might have worked if old enemies did not happen to be there. The number seven in Hebrew has a close etymology with covenant to the point that in the Old Testament when it says “God swore by himself” it could be translated “God sevens himself”. Biblical covenant is not only a contract but a giving of self and sacred. This covenantal event, though small, was almost done there and signified holiness and completion.
“This is the man who is teaching men everywhere against the people and the law and this place– – – Irony here is that Jesus was labeled King of the Jews here on the cross in three languages, came to fulfill the law and was the temple to be destroyed and rise. Paul was an emissary to proclaim that fact of fulfillment.
“..moreover he also brought Greeks into the temple, and he has defiled this holy place.”– – There is a reason they speak of a Greek especially defiling the temple and not just a Gentile. When Greeks invaded Jerusalem they defiled the temple in various gory and vile ways (2 Maccabees 6:1-6). So on ethnic and historical narratives, they were short on forgiveness.
they seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut– – Though this is a definite scene of rejection, it does not have to be seen as a loss. Paul was disadvantaged in one sense but once again in the eyes of Jesus he was blessed in the act of obedience itself. This was what Paul was resolved to accept when it was prophesied by Agabus.
In a way, if one is to be beaten up for Christ, this is an ideal way to be prepared for it. Paul was sent into the situation by a fellow apostle in the upper level of ecclesial leadership. Before that he was given a prophetic warning by a prophet with a gift that has a purpose to exhort, edify and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). Going into adverse environments for the gospel we are not to go alone but be sent by the Head of the Body of Christ, Christ himself, and by the visible Church. It is fitting that such support and context is there in suffering for the gospel.
Paul and any Christian in hostile territory cannot please everyone. But more importantly we can choose to please Christ. That is an end in itself.
Diversity is sometimes mistaken in a bad sense like a division against essentials of unity. In a group that wants fidelity to its core some who think in fear to preserve unity go to an equally extreme of uniformity. While division chokes a unifying goodness, uniformity chokes out complimentary characteristics. Complementarity is the essence of harmony.
Within a spiritual community with harmony that balances unity and diversity there is room for a goodness that reflects higher reality. It is open to the world around it, never sacrifices fidelity to its core and thinks beyond its own generation.
In the early fourth century, already represented by many languages, the Council of Nicea coined an important phrase to reflect this spiritual reality: one, holy, Catholic [universal] and apostolic church (325 AD).
But the roots of this declaration were growing in the previous centuries. A pivotal moment was the Council of Jerusalem where Peter stood up, and spoke the word of inclusivity for Gentiles without being circumcised like Jewish Christians. The Church was definitively declared to have acceptance with directives for Gentiles affirming God’s love and a pastoral discipline for implementation by James (his role was comparable to a COO or Prefect of The Doctrine Of The Faith).
Years pass and Saul goes by his Greek name, Paul, bringing the gospel to Jews and Gentiles and revisits the church in Jerusalem. For those who were Jews first they were still learning how to hold to the essentials of God’s grace yet take the good of the Jewish patrimony as much as possible. James and Paul join hands with harmonious charisms. This gathering reaffirms that there can be a unity transcending ethnic identities, beauty in diversity and a credible presentation of the gospel in the collaboration.
When we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed; they are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus, all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you but that you yourself live in observance of the law.But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity.” Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself with them and went into the temple, to give notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for every one of them (Acts 21:17-26).
the brethren received us gladly– – This is already at a good state. The Church had gone through growing pains but here the brethren welcome Paul and his mix of Jewish and Gentile companions. This is an anecdote of unity that points to the priesthood of all believers. Christian unity is meant to have a simple reference of love. Jesus said, “This is how they will know you are my disciples: that you love one another” (John 13:35).
Paul went in with us to James – – Paul the apostle has God’s grace, a charism, for his Gentile centered mission while James has his with the Jewish people. Accompanying them were elders, and all the elders were present – – -prebyteros, from where we get priest. Ordained ministers and laypersons are also shown here to be united in their roles by the priestly identity of Christ.
The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the “common priesthood of the faithful.” Based on this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person of Christ the Head in the midst of the community (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1591).
he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry– – This narrative is summed up beautifully by Luke. Paul knows that the source of changes are in the grace of God. The gospel’s effects a holistic change in service and reaffirms it is about God with his choice of word for ministry: diakonia. That word means service and is connected in etymology to the word deacon. In some of Paul’s writing he even calls himself a diakonos to underly the point that even an apostle is a servant.
when they heard it, they glorified God- – Though their charism was to bring the gospel to the Jews in Jerusalem they celebrated the work of the Holy Spirit because He was active and that is enough to bless what God was doing outside of their prior ethnic paradigms.
they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews ….to forsake Moses ….not to circumcise their children or observe the customs– – Bad news and calumny travel fast often before a robust response. A common and hard to dismantle assumption against the gospel is that it demands we lose something that does not need to be lost. What was clear at this point since the dogmatic declaration of Peter was how circumcision is not the entry to the New Covenant. However, a needless tradition does not need to be condemned but just contextualized as ones personal form of devotion. In such cases, if it works for you, then fine.
take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads– – As action speaks louder than words, so this action could be a robust response to what they have heard. This action would not reflect a rejection of God’s grace but affirm the thirst for holiness in the Jews and commemorate the way the Law of Moses points to Jesus. Paul could meet people where they are at as a servant in love rather than fighting.
as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment– – He is pointing back to the ecumenical council in Jerusalem presided primarily by Peter and the pastoral application letter headed by James.
they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity– – Those conditions protect against the occasion of sin in the sense of worshipping idols, immoderate eating that was too much too soon for some on grace and outright sin against the marriage covenant.
Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself with them and went into the temple– – Paul could do Old Covenant rituals with a New Covenant heart.
to give notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for every one of them– – In giving notice he gives in a sense a personal declaration of peace. With support of the Jerusalem Church (which did not have the same bad rumor against it) Paul affirms a passion holiness without compromising the universal access to the gospels.
Gentiles were not permitted to enter the temple. One could argue that he was like a politician speaking diversity but campaigning at a whites only golf club. But Paul wanted to meet the people where they were at in a faith of their understanding. Paul knew dogma but was not going to be dogmatic in an over-rigorous sense.
In this story are important lessons. In whatever controversies we are to be servants as individuals, brothers and sisters together despite differences in emphasis and peaceful to the world. Such is much of the impulse of the kingdom of God in Christ. Sometimes the implementation is easily successful, sometimes not. But always the gospel is to be applied mindfully of the universal love of God.
Letting go of a loved one can be hard even if it is for a greater good. We say goodbye at times due to work or residing issues. Sometimes it is a painful goodbye because you and the loved ones are parting ways. Parting is not always “sweet sorrow”.
In the case of Paul, there was a supernatural sacrifice for the cause of Christ that unfolded. It was in sync with a supernatural conversation at play with the first party being Paul, the second party being his friends and the third party being the third person being the Holy Spirit. Paul’s goodbye can be viewed as a snapshot of spiritual and emotional growing pains for the Church.
On the morrow we departed and came to Caesare′a; and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. And he had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for some days, a prophet named Ag′abus came down from Judea. And coming to us he took Paul’s girdle and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “The will of the Lord be done” (Acts 21:8-14).
On the morrow we departed and came to Caesare′a – – This is a bit of foreshadowing to the real climax of Paul’s story. This was a Roman Empire outpost. By the end of Acts, he would be imprisoned in Rome. Beyond Acts, he would be beheaded there.
we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven– – -This is a reference to him having received holy orders as one of the first ordained deacons. He was known as a bearer of the kerygma: the proclamation of the gospel.
he had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied– – They may just have happened to be single. Some theologians speculate that they were consecrated virgins of some sort. Either way, they prophesied presumably in an accurate way or it would not be noted. Consider this in the context below.
While we were staying for some days, a prophet named Ag′abus came down from Judea– – With the return of “we” it is clear that the author, Luke the physician, is present.
he took Paul’s girdle and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit…”– – – – Besides this showing that the Holy Spirit is a person and not a force, there is an example of working through a believer who is not an apostle.
So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles– – – Here we see how God uses matter and form to demonstrate His thoughts and intent which in this case means a suffering and lack of being in control. This is consistent with the norm Jesus said to take up our cross and follow him.
When we heard this, we and the people there begged him not to go up to Jerusalem– – This is reminiscent of Peter telling Jesus he is not to go to Jerusalem to be crucified. Christ and Christians are known for martyrdon and especially those visibly challenging the status quo like Jesus and Stephen the deacon. It was natural for Paul’s companion in the Christian hosts to see this as a bad thing. Presumably even the actual prophet who spoke the prophetic word and the prophetesses. It is worded like it is unanimous.
What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?– – – While Jesus responded to Peter with rebuke, Paul responds with compassion. He felt pain for them to have anguish in their lack of understanding the broader purposes of God softly stirring in Paul’s heart. Thus, he explains a bigger picture knowing his long-term plan. As their spiritual father he elaborates his calling to sacrifice his life if need be.
For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus– – Paul considered all things lost for the sake of Christ. The year this conversation is happening is estimate at 58 AD by many theologians. Ironically the hardship he was about to have in Jerusalem would not be his martyrdom but a warm up for the real one in 67 AD. His brethren have their anguish like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane the night he was betrayed. Paul had it already settled. He wrote later about a sense of contentment bound in Christ that fueled his willingness to do whatever was needed for Christ and his kingdom.
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:7-11).
This should not be confused as a “death wish” but a Christian life wish which would echo through the centuries in other Christians gifted with the grace of martyrdom. An important bishop in the 2nd Century articulated the meaning of Christian martyrdom even further. Ignatius of Antioch wrote the following.
I am writing to all the Churches and I enjoin all, that I am dying willingly for God’s sake, if only you do not prevent it. I beg you, do not do me an untimely kindness. Allow me to be eaten by the beasts, which are my way of reaching to God. I am God’s wheat, and I am to be ground by the teeth of wild beast, so that I may become the pure bread of Christ. (Ignatius, Letter to the Romans, Ch. 4, 107 AD)
when he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “The will of the Lord be done”– – While there is much talk of fathers letting go of their children, here it is the children letting go of a father. This is not for the first time that a painful and sad goodbye is expressed to Paul. But it is fitting. For Christianity is about Christ and Christ alone.
What happens when mom and dad are gone? If there have been a good examples lived out and wise words imparted on how to live, all that could be planted has been planted.
A case to look at on how well a “last lecture” was taken to heart is the Church of Ephesus. Paul met with their elders and taught them one last time to remember their call to the people of God in spiritually feeding, protecting and nurturing the Church. This would include persecutions, false teachings and schisms.
But all of this was to be in the bond of love understood in the simplicity of the word of grace with Jesus being the Word both truly and substantially. After this Paul later wrote them a full letter repeating some of this and adding more in the “Letter To The Ephesians”. As we are about to see, they would do all as a church as Paul spoke except the most essential: staying bonded to Jesus in love. They would be inspected by an apostle on what they had been told and be found wanting except this would be the Apostle and High Priest of their good confession (Hebrews 3:1).
Christ’s review was given to their bishop the Apostle John. They did well but fell so short.
To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear evil men but have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and found them to be false;I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have, you hate the works of the Nicola′itans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ (Revelation 2:1-7).
The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand– – We know from Revelation 1:20 that the seven stars are the seven angels. The angelos means messenger but here was the local presbyter. Jesus is stating that those presbyters are in place by his hand.
who walks among the seven golden lampstands– – – Christ is still the Word who has become flesh and dwells among us in each of the churches by valid messengers with his gospel. This presence comes up again here because lampstands were emphasized for the highest worship that welcomes the manifest Presence of God.
I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance– – Points for this church is that the presbyters took it to heart and this was reflected by all the church.
how you cannot bear evil men but have tested those who call themselves apostles…and found them to be false– – They stopped schisms for seductive teachers before they began. More points.
I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary– – They were warned by Paul of persecution to come and to endure. Which they did. More points!
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first– – That fellowship in the love of the Trinity can easily be taken for granted. Like any relationship it must be continually nurtured. Paul commended the elders to God and the word of grace. But the choice to abide is in each person.
Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first– – Ultimately this abiding comes with works. “We are saved by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24).
Yet this you have, you hate the works of the Nicola′itans, which I also hate– – Mercifully Jesus gives them a compliment. He is referring to a seductive movement centered on idolatry and immorality. Worship and intimacy must be protected as sacred in the Body of Christ. That they held true to purity in those essentials shows there is at least some kind of tie left.
To him who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God– – Jesus really is speaking of true worship and intimacy found in consuming him. Several times in John 6 he says that to have true life is to eat his flesh and drink his blood.
So did they “conquer”? Can we as persons or churches get back to the “first love”? The answer is yes or Jesus would not tell them to and it would not be in the Bible for sinners like you and I to read. There is always hope because the access of love in Christ is always there. Case in point below.
A later bishop, Ignatius of Antioch, would later write to them the report of them. He states,
I have become acquainted with your name, much-beloved in God, which you have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Jesus Christ our Savior. Being the followers of God, and stirring up yourselves by the blood of God, you have perfectly accomplished the work which was beseeming to you (Ignatius Letter to the Ephesians Chapter 1).
There is always the option of love and repentance even in the midst of hardship. The church there would be displaced due to social and natural disasters twice. But in 431 the church in Ephesus was strong enough for a crucial ecumenical council would meet and affirm definitive dogma affirming the divinity and humanity of Jesus. They chose love and truth in the long run as a Who. Not a What.
“Your mission if you choose to accept it….” Is a famous line we are familiar with from Mission Impossible. Each episode or movie has that first fork in the road for the hero. Take it or leave it.
When the Apostle Paul was about to leave the presbyters he had known and trained for three years he gave them a mission. With Jesus being the true leader of the faith, an apostle is a mobile or local manager who serves as a catalyst and trainer in the living, called out community Jesus started. Now he passes the mission on for his last lecture to them. Here it is mostly a matter of divine foresight, or marching orders, for them and for the Body of Christ in the generations to come.
Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of the Lord which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they all wept and embraced Paul and kissed him,sorrowing most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him to the ship (Acts 20:28-38).
Take heed to yourselves- –– Before supervising others spiritually one needs to examine themselves before the Lord for right discernment.
and to all the flock– – In the early church they would watch over the souls of individuals in the Church (Hebrews 13:17). This would be an honor and a burden not to be taken lightly by the ministers or those who are ministered to.
in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians– – Here the word for guardians is episkopos meaning “over-scope” or overseer. There is an indelible mark on them through the laying on of hands that called them and would help them to watch over the flock with a spiritual perspective. This is not a social club and to watch over souls was to watch over the psyche where we understand the soul to have the mind and emotions. To oversee them fully would include the authority to forgive sins in the name of Jesus as part of their ongoing sanctification (John 20:21-23). This would come in the context of interaction with those in the flock of those sins against Christ and the Body.
Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you (Hebrews 13:17).
to feed the church of the Lordwhich he obtained with his own blood– – – Just as the normative manner of shepherding included the Sacrament of Confession, it was also normative to feed them the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. This is what it is normative also for sustenance and the cost of blood implied here if one takes Jesus literally when he said, “he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54).
So they are watched over and fed but this is not the end of the story. This is important for the Church in good times and in bad.
The bad times were coming soon and they would come partly from the inside. We should bear in mind his concerns as they reverberate in meaning to Ephesus and the whole Body of Christ through the ages.
fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock– – Life for the Christians can be brutal. Even Jesus had a Judas.
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things– – In Church history there are Gnostics, Docetists, Marcionites, Arians, Pelagians and Nestorians among others. Ironically, Nestorianism received a fatal blow in the Council of Ephesus in 431.
to draw away the disciples after them– – It would not just be an issue of teachings but the personalities of the teachers. Many heretical leaders counseled followers to follow them as an end in itself instead of Christ. A cult of personality means a social and spiritual fracture in the Body of Christ called a schism.
be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears– – In modern times some posit one should choose a pastoral approach to the nurturing of the person to the expense of apostolic tradition. The responsible view is that apostolic authority is not inherently stoic but is infused with an emphasis Christ’s humanity. And there is a hint possibly on the incarnational nature of Christ represented in the example of Paul. Paul wrote to follow his example as he follows the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:2). Paul urges them to vigilance and holiness.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace– – The function of the Holy Spirit empowers them to feed, empower and protect the faithful. The fullest blessing is complete in the love of God and “the word of his grace”. That is not some dry statement but implies the ongoing authority and expression of Christ’s life. The word for “word” here is logos which means a cohesive expression of reason which is what Jesus is called in the gospel of John. “In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God….And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:1, 14a). Paul commends them to minister a life of vibrant love in Christ.
able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified– – In all of what Paul was doing in ministry it was in the hope of joining fellowship with the Holy Trinity. Later he wrote, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). This is an inheritance set aside in and for love. And God is love.
I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel……these hands ministered to my necessities– – – The world not only needs good teachers but good witnesses. One way to be a witness of the gospel was in his practical lifestyle and finding spiritual riches before material ones.
In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak– – In addition to a balanced view of ones self was Christian charity for the unfortunate. In the words of “I have two coats in my closet. One is for me and one for my brother that has none” ( St. John Chrysostam).
remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ – – Paul shows the divine fellowship of the Trinity lived out in the Christian life in how agape love is demonstrable, unselfish and an end in its self.
And they all wept and embraced Paul and kissed him,sorrowing most of all because of the word he had spoken- – They were beloved children of a man who became their father through the gospel. They knew to love him back without applause but from the heart. Such is the Church that Jesus Christ built.
Randy Pausch made quite the impact in the famous “Last Lecture”. He knew he was on borrowed time due to pancreatic cancer. He had a lot of life lessons and gave his lecture in his inspiring millions through his book and Youtube video. His wisdom was a catalyst for change.
Paul could be considered a professor of sorts. He had been a professor of a legalistic religious expression that was toxic to the point of complicity in at least one martyrdom.
Then came conversion to the faith he had persecuted, short time of ministry, three years of low-key living and then ministry again. Preaching to Jews and Gentiles after many years, he had a resting place and formed new spiritual fathers with thriving churches. This was beautiful but not God’s plan forever. Paul had to move on in an age without e-mail or short hop flights making this his “last lecture” to the fathers and children he had spiritually raised. This would be a catalyst for change in and through his audience.
One important feature: Paul speaks as a father who has laid his life down for all under his care.
A second important feature is that what he shared aligns with what he later wrote to the Corinthians in his summary of his mission as an apostle locking in the Christian call of holiness and suffering. Paul wrote “follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:2). He starts by reviewing with them the basics of the gospel and Sacred Tradition so they are reaffirmed in the basics before he leaves. It is a matter of meaningful hindsight.
And from Mile′tus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you all the time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which befell me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance to God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there; except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that all you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:17-27).
called to him the elders of the church– – He is a father speaking to men who were both spiritual fathers and priests. The word used here is presbuteros which is contracted through developing etymology through the ages into English as priest.
You yourselves know how I lived among you all the time from the first day– – – He brought both apostolic teaching and fellowship which are essential elements of Christianity (Acts 2:42).
serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which befell me- – Saying words of love without suffering is meaningless. His sacrificial actions prove his love for God and them.
teaching you in public and from house to house– – – This did not start with Paul. In the early days of the Church there was a pattern of public and domestic expressions of the faith. Paul is speaking in shorthand both of the ongoing apostolic ministry and the natural functions of the Church Jesus founded like a plant grounded in its natural habitat. This is Church thriving in right authority, community, the Eucharist and prayers just as the earliest days of its history.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers……And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts (Acts 2:42, 46).
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance to God– – – When the Church thrives it is universal in its approach that we are to repent and admit “I have sinned.”
and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ– – Here the Church thrives with the kerygma centered on the supreme authority of Jesus Christ. This is the revolutionary or subversive message that Jesus is Lord (Iesus Kurios) and not “Caesar is Lord” (Kaiser Kurios). Paul raised up sons and daughters to potentially be revolutionaries of holiness who celebrated the objective truth of Christ.
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit– – Paul preached and lived a life that included suffering for the gospel. Miracles happened through his ministry in the Holy Spirit but not to the detriment of the same Holy Spirit working through sufferings. Part of his “last lecture” is how each of us has a call to suffer for the kingdom. He was just sharing his.
the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me– – Paul had surrender in knowing Christ in the fellowship of his sufferings partly because of day by day obedience. Just as there were seasons on and off for Paul there has been seasons on and off for the Church of being rejected. Paul’s life was iconic of what God permits in Church history.
if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus– – Paul knew Jesus but was detached from the presumption of his own perseverance. He took his calling to heart because of a personal relationship with him. The Church launches and renews itself in the person of Jesus.
to testify to the gospel of the grace of God….I know that all you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will see my face no more– – – Here Paul alludes to the victory of the cross of Christ that leads not to servile fear but knowledge of the truly transforming grace of God. Any “gospel” of a military conquest at that time changed the atmosphere but that of Christianity was one of grace and relationship which changes hearts. While there is no imposing threat to believe, it is still a kingdom.
I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God– – Paul has done all for them that he could do. Though they knew him after the flesh, Paul contextualizes this with the kingdom that is beyond flesh to be “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
A spiritual father also has to let his children go in the grace of God after he has formed them properly. The elders are empowered with a vision that is conversion for all, united in Christ with all of the Church as a holy family and bound towards right worship through work of the cross. To affirm this continued work, he wrote an epistle (apostolic letter) later to them tying these principles together.
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22).
The formation was to be taught and caught in Sacred Tradition standing the test of time. He later wrote to Timothy when he became the bishop of Ephesus that, “if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).
The foundation is there. But along the way these spiritual fathers and their flock would also know hope in the midst of suffering as we will see.
There is a lot of strategy going back and forth among Christians about “how we can win the world for Christ”. There is another piece to consider in how “the other side” loses. The Bible implies how the Body of Christ is hard-wired in its calling to succeed all the way to the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18). In the Council of Nicea, in the stanza of its creed right after identifying who Jesus is, the four delineated points were “one, holy, Catholic and apostolic” (325 AD).
The Church was established by Christ with his unique character of incarnate holiness that effects the world. The Church is both a sign and instrument of love and unity that is found ultimately in the Trinity. The more Christ’s life is manifest, the more the distinction there is at the macro level of the Church being distinct from the world.
And this is not for the Church to be a conventional political system since the balanced view of its teachings is not to look to the left or the right but up. And occasionally the kingdoms of this world fail because they are at heart “anti-Nicene” in the sense of being divided, unholy, isolated (the opposite of the figurative meaning of Catholic meaning universal) and sterile (opposite of being there for the next generation). Whatever Christian tradition one comes from, we do well to stay to our basics in peace whenever possible. Often in a day, a month, a year, a decade or a century the Body of Christ outlives its enemies rather than conquer them. It is as if the kingdoms of this world are prone to exhaust themselves eventually and not hold together.
We will see an example of this below as Christians live the Christian life and the attack collapses on itself when companions of Paul are grabbed up by a mob in Ephesus. We will see the Christian response to be grounded in faith and reason in harmony while the mob is fueled and directed in power of the will and passion.
Paul wished to go in among the crowd, but the disciples would not let him; some of the A′si-archs also, who were friends of his, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. Now some cried one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, wishing to make a defense to the people. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all with one voice cried out, “Great is Ar′temis of the Ephesians!” And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Ar′temis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? Seeing then that these things cannot be contradicted, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Deme′trius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against any one, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another. But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, there being no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” And when he had said this, he dismissed the assembly (Acts 19:30-41).
Paul wished to go in among the crowd, but the disciples would not let him– – Paul was a caring, spiritual father in a hard place of pastoral concern for his sons who were at least eligible for a “promotion”: martyrdom. Sometimes the “apostolic” nature of Christianity is for the next generation to sacrifice greatly for the ongoing point of the gospel. Such should be the heart of all spiritual fathers God raises up.
Now some cried one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion– – The caving in begins and not without irony. The word for “assembly” here is ekklesia which is where we get the word “church”. The etymology of that word went back in ancient Greece to when the “ek” or call was made for a small town democracy going out to a field to vote in an assembly. It was for a united purpose to have a definitive consensus. This was a divided worldly “church”. This reminds is to be expected in how often worldly problem solving falters because of identity politics (e.g. race, gender, socio-economic status). Identities or emotion based agendas do not lend to cohesive work for long.
and most of them did not know why they had come together- – This assembly lacked a united agenda. One can only speculate if they just followed the noise. This is another contrast: the gospel is reasonable because it is centered on Jesus the Logos who is the essence of reason itself.
Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward…wishing to make a defense to the people- – In a sense this is neutral. Someone needs to speak for a group’s interests. In the motion of the hand he speaks a little from the authority of those who chose him and a bit from the premise of dignity as an equal. Ideally in the marketplace of ideas Christians can engage as equals.
But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all with one voice cried out, “Great is Ar′temis of the Ephesians!”– – Since the majority were not Jews, the need was felt to protect their in-group bias and the supremacy of their world view. For two hours straight responding with a chant is far from reason and far from a representation of even an individual integrated person. Their anti-Semitism to this Jewish Christian was only natural to them.
And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd- – -Eventually a neutral reason may come into play. At some point a voice of sanity will come out with a cost-benefit analysis. It costs a lot eventually to persecute the Christian movement.
the courts are open– – It is in that nature of humanity, even if a last resort, to use reason in the marketplaces of law and rhetoric.
if you seek anything further,it shall be settled in the regular assembly– – He appeals to the reasonableness and inevitability of an assembly, like a “church” being gathered together in the context of something of laws. Laws are like societal boundaries to keep things sane. In fact, the word for “regular” here is ennomos which means lawful. A lawful assembly could be an option and when possible should be the preferential option for sharing the Christian proposal.
There are some historical applications of this as we look at the history of Christianity. In 311 AD the Edict of Milan was decreed by Emperor Constantine to codify religious freedom. This was not for Christianity to be imposed but proposed.
One last note about Ephesus is that the struggles did repeat. Persecution did return and according to the apocryphal book Acts of Timothy, St. Timothy was the first bishop of Ephesus and beaten to death at 80-years old for trying to halt a procession to the goddess Dianna.
But it still does not end there.
In 431 there was the Council of Ephesus. It was set to resolve the Nestorian heresy with the heretics calling Mary the Christotokos (Christ-bearer) meaning she was mother to only Christ in his human nature. The truth prevailed and in Ephesus she was called Theotokos (God-bearer). This was not to make her another goddess along with Artemis or Diana but to protect the beauty and majesty of Jesus who was God the Son.
So in this, we have a case in point that the rough ground of persecution with martyrdom can yet be the fertile ground of Christ formed in the land. Whether it is in the season of sowing or reaping the lesson is simple: trust in God for the times of public favor and disfavor. Though Christians know mortality the gospel of Jesus Christ stands in immortality and will bear fruit short-term and long-term when properly unleashed.
As I write this it is the day after Easter. Leftover chocolates may be found in some households next to plastic Easter eggs. For my work it is a floating holiday this year.
Also as I write this I have recently had a vacation which included quality time with my two oldest friends. One of them is a pastor of a different representation of Christianity than mine. And that is okay. We fellowshipped well and I have no doubt of God’s grace there. In the most basic senses I would classify Christianity down to the Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant.
As for my own disclosure of which denomination or group I am in, I would offer this disclosure: I have no disclosure. Not for today. If you, dear reader, have read my blogs enough or wish to read the prior ones then my specific Christian group identity will be apparent. I wish to put that aside for now to benefit a spiritual and mental exercise of sorts.
A rallying point I would suggest is in the Nicene Creed.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen
The sticking points are in the word “Catholic” and “proceeds from the Father and the Son”. Other than that, there is about 90% agreement on the gist of this creed.
I would content that the Holy Spirit nevertheless has both proceeded and been at work in imperfect vessels in various groups over 2,000 years. Paul wrote “follow me as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:2). I would suggest that we can look at the titles of each group and appropriate and, if needed, redeem for our own edification. I am listing them in alphabetical order to avoid favoratism.
Assemblies of God: We are all called to some form of sacred assembly. The Greek etymology for Church, ekklesia, suggests a calling out of and for a structured purpose.
Baptist- – Jesus is the Way. In Greek it is hodos. Early Christians were followers of the Way. Related to that was the Great Exodus in the old covenant where their deliverance was through water as the “way out” which was called exhodos.
Catholic- – We should all be at least catholic. I use the lower case to emphasize an ecumenical meeting spot. The word comes from the Greek katholicos. It literally means “according to the whole” which we can appropriate to suggest the whole gospel for the whole person through the whole world. The figurative translation is “universal” and is even pronounced that way in some Christian circles.
Conservative- – – All Christians should seek to conserve that which was established in the apostolic age be it divine or natural law as they pertain to faith and morals.
Episcopalian- – Jesus is the “Shepherd and Bishop of our souls” (1 Peter 2:25). The etymology for bishop was epe and skopeh. This can mean “over-scope” in an awkward translation. The title points to the intrinsic
Foursquare- – The tenets for this denomination are Jesus is Lord, Sanctifier, Healer and Forthcoming King.
Liberal- – -Ireneus of Lyon wrote that “the glory of God is man made fully alive”. The full counsel of Christianity always has a great yes which should overshadow the no’s.
Orthodox- – – Right teaching.
Pentecostal- – -The day of Pentecost is the birthday of Christianity. In that story we read about waiting on the Lord and knowing that times of refreshing will come in due time.
Prosperity Gospel- – Name it and claim it? Absolutely but in a qualified way. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.
Protestant- – – It may be the duty of the Christian to speak up at any time against corruption or error in leadership.
Vineyard- – -The Body of Christ is organic.
This could be considered tongue in cheek but I would suggest there are points worth considering. What is most important is that God is love and we should pray for wisdom to navigate those times we talk past each other. Life is too short on earth and eternal live is too glorious and long to waste time on divisions that are not needed.
It is common to disregard a sports critics as a “Monday Morning Quarterback”. The thought is that someone in their comfortable couch at home watching a game on television in luxury lacks the setting and experience while assuming the right choices on the field are so easy.
This can be also done in the religious settings. Sometimes criticism of others in salvation history happens as well as contemporary religious contexts.
With that in mind, I have to reflect with some sober thinking on how I should view the domestic church, including my own, with “Solomon’s Scorecard”. This is a subjective scoring system I have been using based on the temple dedication of Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:1-11) and his royal court in 1 Kings 1-8. Using those scriptures as a lens has been helpful in seeing what Christ and the Church fulfills. I will use the scoring system on how the domestic church is by calling in the reality of Christ and how my own household is doing in cooperation with Christ.
1: God’s favor in his substantive presence.
This is an interesting one. I could describe this according to a phenomenon of natural law, divine law or both. When a child is conceived it includes the infusion of the soul in harmony with the father and mother’s biological contributions. Frankly, conception can happen from a one night stand.
But God’s favor is there for any child under any circumstance or John 3:16 is only ink and paper. The best extension of such favor in the flesh can be in the nuclear family parents or anyone who looks in the face of the child and see the face of Jesus. By the way, as a social worker who has supported adoptions, adopting your child is having your truly real child.
Fulfilment: Varies.
2: Divine worship at the highest level possible in the Psalms with much of it written by either David, some sponsored and contemporaneous entity or someone inspired by the unique themes of his life. This includes an elevation of beauty in holiness.
What is important is not a sense in the family of them being special in themselves to wow God in worship. It is the calling of the Christian family to bring worship to the Father in the Son through the Holy Spirit. A particular expression of this is in Holy Communion which should be done with intentionality, as part of the larger Church and with reverence which I will address next.
3: True reverence.
Very simply, the parents should convey to the children the holiness of God along with the love. Parents should themselves remember and communicate how God is not just some other genus of species like some guys, some rock or some pinecone. He is the Sheer- Act of Being Itself (ipsem esse). Typical ways to provide an example can be family devotional prayers and kneeling when you can at church.
Fulfilment: Varies.
4: Giving thanks to the Lord for his nearness.
Ideally, this should be experienced by the family as an objective reality and not by only by hope or a stirred up emotion. Although this could be viewed as a digression, I would say there is a nearness of God’s presence in the Eucharist in how Christ is present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (eucharistia) let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:5-7).
Fulfilment: Varies.
5: Acknowledging the covenant love of God with the Scripture as a key part of that emphasis.
The domestic church should be a church in the Sacred Scriptures. They have the material sufficiency, paired with Sacred Tradition for formal sufficiency, for a robust catechesis to parents and children.
Fulfilment: Varies.
6: Consecrated leadership.
In a natural sense, anyone can be a parent by biology or adoption. To be a parent in a faith context is to offer ones self to love the child sacrificially and glorify God with your life. If you are married, make every effort to see and live that relationship as the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
Fulfilment: Varies.
7: Complimentary and ordered response by the laity.
Although it is roughly analogous to the episode of Solomon’s temple dedication, I would suggest that in the domestic church it is like the parents are the priests, the children are like laity but they function together. Involve the children in participating in nightly prayers or leading “Yes Jesus loves me”. Will there be a manifestation of a cloud of God’s glory? Likely not. But in that domestic church, “it is truly right and just”.
Fulfilment: Varies.
8: Balance of fasting and feasting.
In the liturgical calendar, there are fasting and feasting times. Involve the children in that. Help them in their spiritual formation to know a meaning to the Christian life that has both joys and delays to self-gratification.
Fulfilment: Varies.
9: The king and the assembly accomplish what they were supposed to do.
Keep in mind the essential of Christian living but also each domestic church may adopt certain particular practices to God’s glory as prudential judgement.
Fulfilment: Varies.
The next points are especially for the beginning year or so for Solomon. In viewing these details properly through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition we can see how they are unveiled in a new way in the Christian context by further examination.
10: A prominent factor of the queen mother and her intercession. “So Bathsheba went to King Solomon….The king rose to meet her, and bowed down to her….and had a throne brought for the king’s mother, and she sat on his right” (2:19). Adonijah was a brother of Solomon who asked for her intercession.
For Christians who have a hyperdoulia (high devotion but not worship) disposition to Mary, a family rosary could be great for that. She is our mother in Christ and can be seen as a member of ones family. No family could love her more than Jesus does and her message is always “Do whatever he tells you to”.
Fulfilment: Varies.
11: Someone was placed to be in charge second to the king. This is comparable to a president’s chief of staff or Vice-President. An example of this for Solomon is Ahizar. He was Chief of the Household/ Prime Minister (1 Kings 4:6). He is a servant to “the Lord’s Anointed”. This office was occupied several times going forward in the Davidic dynasty.
Jesus is king. In the domestic church the father is like a domestic prime minister.
Fulfilment: Varies.
12: Prominence of a priest and prophet in partnership with the installing of the anointed king. “They made David’s son Solomon king a second time; they anointed him as the Lord’s prince, and Zadok as priest” (1 Chronicles 29:22b). Also 1 Kings 1:8. Before Solomon we see Samuel who was both a priest and a prophet who anointed Saul and David personally.
There can be a balance of being sacramentally minded but also being prophetic or mystical. Keep in mind that we need both. Invite conversations that will allow for hearing what the Holy Spirit is speaking to family member’s hearts. But also consider going to confession as a family.
Fulfilment: Varies.
13: Emphasis of the Ark of The Covenant (2 Chronicles 5:2-10) in the carrying of God’s word and the Holy Spirit coming upon it in a powerful way.
Process with the children on what is happening in spirit and body when they receive the Lord in the Eucharist.
Fulfilment: Varies.
14: In the prayer of dedication access to the nations outside of Israel are affirmed.
‘Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name—for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—when a foreigner comes and prays towards this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling-place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built (1 Kings 8:41-43).
Form the family with a desire to be charitable and bring the proposition of God’s love to all.
Fulfilment: Varies.
15: Divine wisdom either directly through Solomon or someone very much tied to his theological and anthropological standard. We see this in several books of the Old Testament like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. This is an elevation of truth both in theology and godly understanding of anthropology especially through the family. This is an elevation of truth. This does not relay on the ongoing personal holiness of Solomon or others involved.
Form the children in God’s wisdom with particular emphasis on God’s design for the person and family. Also on other things like what Proverbs covers on sexuality, money, communication, planning ahead, honesty and integrity.
Fulfilment: Varies.
16: A blessing on the “son of David”.
This is hard to pin down in the domestic church context.
Fulfilment: Varies.
So how does my family score? I wish it was 3 out of 3 on all categories in being a living extension of Christ’s life in a domestic church. If I rate myself then I am ever so likely to be wrong. But as a parent I hope to do well when I meet with Christ and his gaze. In the meantime I pray that God strengthens my wife and I toward the 3 out of 3 on all categories. I have been a Catholic since 2013 and my wife has been a Catholic since 2014. We are a working on it one day at a time trusting Christ. If you are reading this whether Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant I pray you do the same.
jembenjamin 