Acts 20:25

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.

In this and the preceding verse, two things of surpassing importance are revealed:

(1) "Testifying the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24) and establishing churches everywhere - this is exactly the same thing as "preaching the kingdom" of God (Acts 20:25).

Again in the New Testament, the fact is confirmed that the church of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of heaven are one and the same.

(2) "Ye shall see my face no more ..." Paul did not say how he knew this, refraining from attributing the knowledge to any direct word from the Holy Spirit. Dummelow said:

Paul was not speaking as a prophet, but was merely giving utterance to an overpowering presentiment that the time of his death was near. As a matter of fact his life was preserved many years; and he subsequently revisited Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20), Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3; 3:14), and other places in Asia.[19]

Milligan concurred in this view, saying, "It seems probable that in this Paul was mistaken; and that he afterward did return (Philippians 1:25; 2:24; Philemon 1:1:22, and Hebrews 13:23)."[20] It may be disputed that the references cited by Dummelow and Milligan actually "prove" that Paul was again in Ephesus, although it seems quite certain that he was in Miletus again (2 Timothy 4:20). Boles affirmed that "We do not know that Paul ever saw Ephesus again,"[21] and supposed that Paul had primary reference to those "elders" whom he was addressing, thus indicating that he believed Paul's premonition was correct. Bruce avoided the question by declaring that "Whether in fact the Ephesians ever did see him again is not of primary relevance to the exegesis of these words."[22]

Whatever element of doubt there remains in the question, however, does not negate the view preferred by this writer which regards Paul's premonition as being contradicted by subsequent events. What we have then is a startling example that the premonitions of such a prophet and apostle as Paul himself were unreliable, contrasting with the certainty of the true testimony of the Holy Spirit through prophets and the Holy Scriptures. In the light of this, Christians should never rely upon premonitions and subjective impressions for guidance in the daily affairs of life. Yet, there are known to this writer certain persons who have a meeting early in the morning, waiting for "leadings of the Holy Spirit" which are thought to come to them in just such premonitions and impressions as Paul had here. We do not believe that any authentic guidance comes in this manner; although, of course, morning prayers are a good beginning for any day.

[19] J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 846.

[20] Robert Milligan, op. cit., p. 387.

[21] H. Leo Boles, Commentary on Acts (Nashville: Gospel Advocate Company, 1953), p. 325.

[22] F. F. Bruce, op. cit., p. 415.