By: Bishop Albert B. Gran
Acts 20
16 For
Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in
Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of
Pentecost.
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the
church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from
the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at
all seasons,
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and
with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the
Jews:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have
shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not
knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that
bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear
unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which
I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone
preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the
blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 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 own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them.
When someone calls to present the truth in love then let
anyone decide how was the truth presented by love in the text above which is an excerpt from this narrative account of Dr.
Luke for us to know today.
Many Pastors today used to claim that they were those whom
called to be overseers MADE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT for the church of God, the flock
through which they had been taken care of and they used this text to solidify their
being an ordained Pastor as though the sense in application as to the command
and charged of Paul to the elders.
ELDERS NOT PASTORS
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and CALLED THE ELDERS OF THE
CHURCH.
Who are we to deny this truth to understand those true respondents
whom Paul instructed to “TAKE HEED”? If a teacher who had loved to share what’s
the truth void of interpretation then he has to speak what else is the truth in
this chapter 20 of Acts. However, why many make believed teachers could not speak the truth in love? Why do they need to change the elder to Pastor?
Now, if they presumed to say they speak the truth in love, then
without changing God’s wording, and by faith let them supposed to speak the
truth that those elders were the true character reference that the context was
meant to be per inspiration.
Another observation why the claim for Pastors as overseers of the
Holy Spirit in this chapter found its falsity considering that these Pastors in
different denominations itself received their designated title as they supposed
Pastors of God for His flock through ORDINATION and as confirmed in their
doctrine coined by laying of hands.
Now, let’s speak the truth in love. Would you find a verse in Acts
20 through which Paul called these men PASTORS ORDAINED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT? The
fact shows the ELDERS WERE THOSE MADE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AS OVERSEERS.
Now, let’s speak the truth in love that if these ELDERS had made
(hath made) by the HOLY SPIRIT AS OVERSEERS the phrase “hath made” shows past
action. It’s a done deal ordained purpose of the Spirit’s calling to them.
Today’s Pastors who claimed they were one among those overseers fall prey to
understand the sense ‘hath made’ for until now they were still doing it
continuously by themselves but NOT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT HIMSELF OR DIRECTLY FROM
THE HOLY SPIRIT. Their laying on of hands were thought as their symbol to mean the
HOLY SPIRIT approved them and the calling of their office as thought the basis
in Acts 13:1-5. Contrarily, today’s Pastors laying of hands did not match to
Acts 13:1-5 because PAUL AND BARNABAS were already called by THE SPIRIT before
the hands of those prophets and teachers stated in verse 1 are laid. But again
their calling AS PASTORS is nowhere in Acts 20 considering that those who were
called are ELDERS. Paul himself knew who they were by names but it’s not
recorded who were those elders which “hath made” by the overseers. But then
again, those were elders not Pastors who were ORDAINED BY PASTORS.
SINGLE PASTORS NOT ELDERS OF THE CHURCH
I speak the truth in love that since those in Acts 20 were elders
who hath made by the Holy Spirit, we can relatively perceived what
qualification these ELDERS had according to God’s word. In Titus, the
qualifications of these ELDERS to be called BISHOPS were clearly set forth when
the church will follow the stand point of God.
Titus 1:5-6
5 For
this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things
that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be
blameless, the HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, HAVING FAITFUL CHILDREN not accused of riot
or unruly.
7 For a bishop
must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not
given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
I speak the truth in love that ELDERS who was
ordained as BISHOP could not be a single person or unmarried. If denominational
Pastors were same as elders or Bishops then how come many of them led their
denominational churches and even becoming advisers for parenthood to their
parents’ members?
Was their cause to allow single Pastors to lead the
church of God a complete ignorance of Scriptures aside from the misconstrued truth
to ORDAIN ELDERS for an OFFICE OF A BISHOP? Relatively, this is very common in
any denominational churches nowadays. So, if you speak the truth in love how
will you negate this existing reality in most denominations in our times? Simply
declare the truth how their actions indifferent to what it have been stated in
His word. Can you tolerate the idea TO ORDAIN A SINGLE PASTOR (as they falsely
claim) as nowhere in the qualification?
More so in this perception next attraction how
Pastors today made false claim against Acts 20 and Titus 1.
Grace and Peace.
