I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
Acts 20:21 NIV
At the end of his third missionary journey, Paul stopped by Miletus, the seaport of Ephesus, and called for the elders of the Ephesian church. Paul first reminded them of his teaching ministry among them. Then what he personally was facing in the future. And closed by encouraging them concerning their future and the challenges they would face.
What did Paul preach and teach during the two-plus years he was in Ephesus? You can be sure that he taught them anything that would be useful to them in their walk with Christ. Paul’s letters are full of both theology and practical guidelines for life as a believer. And his in-person teaching would likely be the same, a mix of doctrine and guidance.
But the heart of Paul’s message was contained in the verse quoted above. A message that he declared to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike. It was a message of repentance and faith.
Repentance and Faith
Repentance (metanoia) involves a change of mind, going in a different direction. For the Jew, this meant turning from their dependence on the Law as the way to achieve a right relationship with God. For the Gentile, it meant turning away from the gods they had been worshipping. And for everyone, it meant turning away from self and toward God. It is a dramatic course correction for one’s life.
Faith (pistis) is a firm persuasion. We can have faith in many things: the love of another person, the solvency of a financial institution, or the advice of a trusted professional. But what Paul preached was faith in the Lord Jesus. Faith in the Lord Jesus means more than just accepting that what is taught about Him is true. It involves acting on that knowledge. It is being fully persuaded that He is Lord and entrusting your life into His keeping, following where He leads.
Together, these two things form the heart of the gospel message. To turn away from whatever road you had been traveling, a road that ultimately ends in death. And turn toward the road of faith in the Lord Jesus. Walking with Him on the road that leads to life.
