Page 92 - Acts Student Textbook

preaching and teaching God’s word. The implication of Paul’s statements here is that we should
follow apostolic example. If this is not the point, why bother to discuss this?

Paul had faced many trials because of the plots of the Jews. This humbled him, but also brought
many tears. This gives useful insights. We have often read how Paul had been hounded by Jews and
run out of many cities, yet rarely have we been told of the emotions this must have brought. Here we
are told that it did cause great mental anguish and tears. In a sense, we can rejoice during
persecution (5:40-42), but that does not eliminate the emotions of grief and heartache. Bible
accounts of such persecution, when they occur, are generally quite calm and factual with little or no
expression of emotions. Yet in other passages, such as here, people looking back may express the
emotions that occurred at the time. Why do the historical accounts not describe in more detail the
emotions involved? It is not that emotions are wrong, since other accounts describe the emotions. I
conclude that God does not want our emotions to determine what we view as right or wrong. Our
service to God may result in emotions, but the emotions should not determine what we practice.
God’s will must be done regardless of the emotions involved. Perhaps also the writers seek to
present factual historic accounts and do not want to include anything that might cloud or appear to
cloud the factual accuracy of their records.

Paul taught all that people needed whether in public or from house to house, how is that
important? (20:20)

Despite the persecution and heartache, Paul did not slack or compromise in his teaching. He
preached all that they needed to hear in order to please God and be saved, keeping back nothing
that was profitable (v27). Preachers today must imitate Paul in this. We must preach all the truth,
everything that is profitable or needed for people to please God (Matt. 28:20; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Tim.
3:16,17; James 2:10; Acts 3:22,23). Even if we face persecution and even if people do not want to
hear the message, we must say what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear (2 Tim.
4:2-4). Others preach what they think will bring them popularity, money, fame, or favor with people
in high places. Yet souls are at stake and they must know the truth so they can correct their lives to
please God.

Paul did this preaching both publicly and privately (from house to house). Preachers today must learn
the value of both kinds of teaching. Some are excellent in the pulpit but do little or no home
teaching. Others are excellent in a private setting but neglect to study God’s word and prepare
useful, well-arranged, and concise messages for public teaching. Public preaching reaches larger
numbers of people at once. More good may be done in terms of the number of people benefited. But
often people have spiritual problems, the nature of which cannot be adequately dealt with publicly.
Some will not come to public meetings and can only be reached privately. Some have problems of a
confidential nature that they will not discuss publicly. Others have private sins that ought not to be
revealed to others (Matt. 18:15ff). Still others will not see the application of public preaching to their
lives until that application is personally pointed out to them.

Paul taught a message of faith and repentance to both Jews and Gentiles, how must we
understand this? (20:21)

He was not partial to one group or the other. He knew the gospel was for all, so he taught it to all.
Likewise, we should not limit our preaching to any specific group of people but should carry the
message to people of all races, all nationalities, all social levels, all ages, etc. (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark
16:15,16; Acts 2:39; etc.).

His message was repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus. Both faith and repentance have
been emphasized throughout the book of Acts and we have studied numerous examples where these

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