Acts 20:28

Paul concluded his address with a challenge because of the Ephesian elders’ future responsibilities (Acts 20:28-31). The elders were to guard their own lives from the attacks of the adversary and then the lives of those under their care (cf. Ezekiel 34:12-16; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Paul used Jesus’ familiar figure of a flock of sheep to describe His followers (John 10:27; John 21:15; et al.).

The term "elder" (Acts 20:17) came from Judaism and emphasized the dignity of the leader of God’s people. "Overseer" is Greek in origin and describes the responsibility of this person. "Shepherd" was both Jewish and Greek and focuses on his function. Putting them together we conclude that these men were older, more mature men in the faith who were responsible for the spiritual welfare of the church. They fulfilled their responsibility by pastoring (i.e., leading, feeding, guiding, and guarding) the church (cf. 1 Peter 5:1-4).

"There was in apostolic times no distinction between elders (presbyters) and bishops such as we find from the second century onwards: the leaders of the Ephesian church are indiscriminately described as elders, bishops (i.e., superintendents), and shepherds (or pastors)." [Note: Bruce, Commentary on . . ., p. 415.]

The Holy Spirit appointed these men in the sense that He led the apostles or others to select them as elders.

A better translation of the last part of this verse would be, "He [God the Father] purchased with the blood of His own [Son]" (cf. Romans 3:25; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 1:20). It is important for church leaders to remember that the church belongs to God, not them. This helps balance the tendency to take too little or too much responsibility on oneself. "The church [Gr. ekklesia] of God" is a phrase we find elsewhere in the New Testament only in Paul’s epistles.