Acts 20:17-27

Asking the elders of the church to meet him. We are not told about them before this, but it was Paul's custom to appoint elders in each church (Acts 14:23). Elders [church leaders] are also called shepherds [bishops] in Acts 20:28. The modern system of a "hierarchical series of bishops" is post-apostolic, not beginning until after the death of Paul and the other apostles. You know how. He reminds them of the example he set in his own life. As I preached and taught you in public and in your homes. Three months in the synagogue at Ephesus; two years in the lecture-hall of Tyrannus; plus many other times and places. I gave solemn warning. The positive message of God's act in Christ to set men free, also contains some negative warnings. In obedience to the Holy Spirit. He was obeying the instructions of the Spirit. That none of you will ever see me again. This is his personal opinion. He may have expected to die for Christ at Jerusalem. Some are almost certain that Paul did revisit these churches during the time of his release from the first imprisonment until he was again imprisoned and put to death. If any of you should be lost. He would not be responsible, if they were lost, because he had already announced to them the whole purpose of God.