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Paul Addresses the Ephesian Elders (Pt. 8) Guard the Flock: Acts 20:28-30

March 19, 2023 Speaker: Bob DeWaay Series: Acts of the Apostles

Scripture: Acts 20:28-30

This is the second class covering Acts 20:28. We cover aspects of the institutional church from church history which are not compatible with the well-being of the Lord’s flock. Institutional church authorities with authority over multiple congregations are not biblical. Elders, overseers, and shepherds are the same people who are responsible for the local church. We discuss how it is that the definitions of the church which are commonly understood by Bible scholars and have been known for centuries are not practiced in Christendom. In most cases, people with exemplary gifts and talents are placed over massive institutions, denominational headquarters, educational institutions, and thus are effectively removed from caring for the Lord’s flock in local churches. Institutions reward whatever serves to expand and benefit the institution into perpetuity, regardless of the needs of individual Christians. We also discuss how the institutional church became predominate in church history despite the fact the Bible does not call for creating such institutions. I claim that replacement theology is at least partly to blame by making the church a new “Israel” with an authority structure like that which existed in Israel  in the days of Christ and His apostles. The result is massive organizations with have little to do with the well-being of the “church of God which He purchased with His blood” (Acts 20:28b). We also cover the term “visitation” as used in Bible which is related to the term for overseers. God’s visitation through elders/overseers is to look after the precious flock He purchased with His blood.