What does Acts 20:21 mean?

Explanation

Acts 20:21 speaks to the core message that the Apostle Paul preached during his missionary journeys.

In this verse, he summarizes his teaching as encompassing two main points: repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.

Repentance implies a turning away from sin and a change of mind and heart.

It's not just an emotion of regret but is an action that involves a conscious shift from disobedience to obedience to God's will.

Faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ implies trust and reliance on Jesus for salvation, acknowledging His role as the Messiah, the Son of God, who has the power to save.

The verse highlights the universal nature of Paul's message, as it was directed to both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles).

This emphasis on a message for all people underscores the Christian belief in the inclusivity of the Gospel, that it is available to all, irrespective of their ethnic background or previous religious affiliations.

Historical Context

Acts 20:21 is found within the context of Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus.

This occurred toward the end of Paul's third missionary journey, around AD 57-58.

At this time, Christianity was spreading throughout the Roman Empire amid various cultural and religious settings.

Jews were expectant of a Messiah, but many rejected Jesus as fulfilling that role.

Greeks, on the other hand, had a polytheistic belief system and were influenced by Hellenistic philosophy.

Paul's message had to transcend these varied cultural contexts, and he did so by focusing on universal principles of repentance and faith.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is rich with implications:

• Repentance is seen as the first step toward reconciliation with God, signaling a turn from sin and self to God.
• Faith in Jesus Christ is acknowledged as the essential response to the grace of God for salvation.
• The unity of Jews and Greeks under the message of the Gospel highlights the abolishment of barriers in Christ, as described in other passages like Ephesians 2:14.
• The order of repentance and faith is significant, as it suggests repentance as a necessary precursor to true faith.

Different theological viewpoints have various interpretations of the interplay between repentance and faith. For example, Calvinists emphasize the sovereignty of God in granting repentance and faith, while Arminians stress human responsibility in choosing to repent and believe.

Practical Applications

Practically, Acts 20:21 provides a framework for how Christians are to approach their spiritual journey:

• It emphasizes the need for self-examination and an ongoing process of repentance as part of the Christian life.
• Encourages believers to actively place their trust and reliance on Jesus Christ daily for guidance and salvation.
• Calls for inclusivity in the Christian community, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds into the faith.
• Christians are encouraged to share the Gospel message in a manner that resonates across cultural lines, focusing on universal human needs.

Cross-References

• Mark 1:15: "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
• Luke 24:47: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
• Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

Language Study

In the original Greek, key terms in this verse are metanoia (μετάνοια) for "repentance," which means a change of mind or turning around, and pistis (πίστις) for "faith," which connotes belief, trust, and loyalty.

The prepositions also bear significance; "toward" (pros in Greek) indicates direction or orientation, implying that repentance is directed to God, while faith is directed to Jesus Christ.

This language emphasizes the personal nature of both repentance and faith as they relate to a divine relationship.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of repentance is present in various forms in other ancient religions and mythologies. For instance, in some ancient Middle Eastern religions, there was the practice of penitence for wrongdoing towards the gods.

However, the Christian concept of repentance involves not just actions but a transformation of the heart and mind.

In the context of faith, the Greco-Roman world had a pantheon of gods, but the Christian faith was distinctive in its emphasis on faith in one Lord, Jesus Christ. This monotheistic faith marked a significant departure from the prevalent polytheistic beliefs of the time.

Scientific Perspectives

Acts 20:21 involves theological and moral principles that don't intersect directly with scientific inquiry.

However, modern psychology and neuroscience have studied concepts like behavior change and belief formation, which can be tangentially related to ideas of repentance (changing one's behavior and mindset) and faith (forming and maintaining beliefs).

Commentaries

Commentaries on Acts 20:21 offer additional insight into this verse:

• William Barclay notes that Paul's message cut across cultural boundaries, ensuring that the essence of the Gospel was accessible to all.
• John Stott highlights the two-dimensional aspect of Paul's message, where repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin.
• Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the importance of a sincere heart in both repentance and faith, wherein one cannot truly exist without the other.