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THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
CHAPTER 20
Paul raises Eutychus from death—Paul is free from blood of all men—He predicts apostasy and cultism—He reveals a teaching from Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
1 AND after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
4 And there accompanied him into Asia sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.
6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
7 And upon the first bday of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; [he knows he has work to do tomorrow - but that does not stop him from going full steam today - Paul is committed to the work] and continued his speech until midnight. [Talk about a long winded preacher - all evening and he was still going at midnight]
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, [his name means good faith or good luck] being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, [he falls asleep from Pauls speach, falls out the window from third story, which kills him. Talk about this speaker is killing me!] and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, [used his priesthood power to bring the young man back to life] and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. [ Pauls was most likely very comforted - he was greatly concerned - and was glad to see him alive again. ]
13 ¶ And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
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. [ Which is 50 days after passover. ]
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 publickly, 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, [ It is interesting to note that all of his letters after the time that he makes this Journey to Jerusalem are written as an Apostle see 1 Cor 1:1 so we can assume that he is called and ordained an Apostle during this visit to 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. [ It does not really matter where I go as I will face affilictions there. ]
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. [ I may not make it back here again. ]
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. [ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf”: “Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the son of God (Acts 20:28).” (“The Gift of Grace,” April 2015 General Conference). Those who believe in salvation by obedience alone believe in self-sufficiency. “It has been truly said that the greatest of all Christian sins is the sin of self-sufficiency,” said George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl in Commentary on the Book of Mormon, (edited and arranged by Philip C. Reynolds, 7 vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1955-1961], 4).]
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. [ Where does the greatest threat to a culture come from? It comes from within. "of your own selves" from within your own group. ]
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36 ¶ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. [ Can you imagine that prayer. Many of these people are Pauls converts - they are the people that Pauls loves and they love him. He is giving a prayer knowing that they will never meet again - think of the emotion. ]
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.