Always be watchful and nurture the church as precious people bought by Christ’s blood.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul addresses the elders of the church at Ephesus near the end of his third missionary journey around AD 54-58. He urges them to remain vigilant, telling them to, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). By referring to the believers as “the flock,” Paul draws the image of a congregation as sheep in need of faithful care and protection. The statement “the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” underscores the divine calling of church leaders to watch over God’s people, while “which He purchased with His own blood” emphasizes the incalculable worth of Christ’s sacrifice and the depth of responsibility placed on these elders. Paul’s concern for the wellbeing of the Ephesians is also seen when he warns them that “savage wolves” would come in among them (Acts 20:29), indicating false teachers who would try to mislead the believers.
Paul’s instruction here bears resemblance to Peter’s words to church leaders: “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily … nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge” (1 Peter 5:2-3). Leaders are called to watch over themselves first, maintaining integrity and closeness to the Lord, and then faithfully guide fellow believers to spiritual maturity. The Holy Spirit’s involvement signals that human efforts alone are insufficient; God Himself empowers overseers for this task. This role includes defending against doctrinal error or harmful influences, caring for believers’ needs, and nurturing growth in truth and love.
By reminding the Ephesian elders that Jesus purchased the church “with His own blood,” Paul underscores both the immeasurable cost of salvation and the supreme authority that Christ holds over His flock. The people of God do not belong to human leaders; they belong to Jesus. Therefore, those who serve as under-shepherds carry both a privileged calling and a solemn accountability before the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Elders are caretakers of what truly belongs to Him, committed to love, protect, and disciple His church in humility and faithfulness.
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Acts 20:28 meaning
In this passage, the Apostle Paul addresses the elders of the church at Ephesus near the end of his third missionary journey around AD 54-58. He urges them to remain vigilant, telling them to, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). By referring to the believers as “the flock,” Paul draws the image of a congregation as sheep in need of faithful care and protection. The statement “the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” underscores the divine calling of church leaders to watch over God’s people, while “which He purchased with His own blood” emphasizes the incalculable worth of Christ’s sacrifice and the depth of responsibility placed on these elders. Paul’s concern for the wellbeing of the Ephesians is also seen when he warns them that “savage wolves” would come in among them (Acts 20:29), indicating false teachers who would try to mislead the believers.
Paul’s instruction here bears resemblance to Peter’s words to church leaders: “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily … nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge” (1 Peter 5:2-3). Leaders are called to watch over themselves first, maintaining integrity and closeness to the Lord, and then faithfully guide fellow believers to spiritual maturity. The Holy Spirit’s involvement signals that human efforts alone are insufficient; God Himself empowers overseers for this task. This role includes defending against doctrinal error or harmful influences, caring for believers’ needs, and nurturing growth in truth and love.
By reminding the Ephesian elders that Jesus purchased the church “with His own blood,” Paul underscores both the immeasurable cost of salvation and the supreme authority that Christ holds over His flock. The people of God do not belong to human leaders; they belong to Jesus. Therefore, those who serve as under-shepherds carry both a privileged calling and a solemn accountability before the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Elders are caretakers of what truly belongs to Him, committed to love, protect, and disciple His church in humility and faithfulness.