Acts 20:28-31 Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers… is here regarded as a society — I. OF PRICELESS VALUE. 1. It is a flock, a name given to the Church of the Old Testament (Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 63:11; Jeremiah 13:17; Jeremiah 23:2; Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:3; Micah 7:14, etc., etc.), and which Christ also applied to His disciples (Luke 12:32). It was a favourite figure with the apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:2, 3). 2. This flock is incalculably precious because it has been purchased with "the blood of God," or rather of the Lord, referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. Other societies exist irrespective of Christ's mediation — scientific, political, commercial — but the Church is acquired by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Had He not died, it never would have been. II. WELL GUARDED. 1. It is put in charge of earthly shepherds. There is here — (1) Self-vigilance; "Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves." The spiritual shepherd must take care of himself first. He must enlighten his own judgment, discipline his own heart, and train his own soul into Christian virtues first. He must save himself before he can save others (1 Timothy 4:14). (2) Church vigilance. "And to all the flock." They are to take heed of the Church, to instruct, guide, guard it, and in every way promote its spiritual welfare. 2. The earthly shepherds are appointed by the Holy Ghost. III. ASSAILED BY ENEMIES (ver. 29). 1. Those who would come from without — worldly men, malignant persecutors. 2. Those who would spring up from within — professed members. The Church's greatest enemies have sprung from her own bosom. IV. DEMANDING THE UTMOST ATTENTION. Paul's labour was — 1. Incessant. "Night and day." 2. Earnest. "With tears." (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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