Acts 20:18-21

Acts 20:18-21

[18] And  when  they were come  to  him,  he said  unto them,  know,  from  the first  day  that  I came  into  Asia,  after what manner  I have been  with  at all  seasons,  [19] Serving  the Lord  with  all  humility of mind,  and  tears,  and  temptations,  which  befell  by  the lying in wait  of the Jews:  [20] And how  I kept back  nothing  that was profitable  unto you, but  have shewed  and  have taught  publickly,  and  from  house to house,  [21] Testifying  both  to the Jews,  and also  to the Greeks,  repentance  toward  God,  and  faith  toward  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

What does Acts 20:18-21 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul first reviewed his past three-year ministry among these elders ( Acts 20:31). He appealed to the way he lived among them to urge them to remain faithful in the future (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12). He emphasized particularly his humble service of the Lord (cf. Ephesians 4:2), his sorrows (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:4), and the opposition of enemies of the gospel (cf. Acts 19:9; Acts 20:1). He also stressed his faithfulness in proclaiming what they needed to hear (cf. Romans 1:16), his ceaseless teaching ministry (cf. Acts 19:8-10), and his comprehensive evangelistic efforts (cf. Acts 20:26). Teaching from house to house ( Acts 20:20) probably included home Bible classes and house churches. This defense of his ministry suggests that critics may have been prejudicing his converts against him in his absence, as they did elsewhere. Notice that several of the words and phrases in this first part of Paul"s speech recur as it proceeds.
Repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ( Acts 20:21) is a beautifully balanced way of expressing what is essential for justification (cf. Acts 26:20-23; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:20 to 2 Corinthians 6:2). One must change his or her mind Godward and place trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.