Let’s start with a verse. Looking at Acts 20.28 we read, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
“Take heed” is the greek term, “prosechó”, and is pronounced: pros-ekh’-o. It’s from two words: “pros” and “echo” that means ‘to hold the mind towards’. So it’s to focus on, pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to. To beware and give devout attention to what is to be regarded as such.
Ready for some grammar? The word, “yourselves” is: dative masculine third person plural. It is used in a singular usage though. Perhaps you have heard someone say, “ya’ll”. That is this case. It is to a singular group that are comprised of individuals. More grammar anyone? In this case, it’s a reflexive pronoun of the 3rd person to denote that the agent and the person acted on are the same. Have I lost anyone? That means that the person who should be taking heed is a group, and the group is to take heed to themselves together, as a group. This verse is not for the individual, but for the group.
The Apostle Paul is speaking to the church Elders-Pastors. Here he makes it clear… you guys need to hold your minds towards, pay attention to, apply yourselves to two things: 1) yourselves; 2) the church you are assigned to by God. The warning to take heed to yourselves is nothing new to the Bible learner. You find this usages in the Old and New Testaments in: Exodus 19.12; Deuteronomy 2.4; Deuteronomy 4.15; Deuteronomy 4.23; Joshua 23.11; and Acts 5.35. In each case it is a warning. It’s admonishing those listening or reading, to focus here and pay attention. No slacking!
In our text of Acts 20, they were exhorted to not slack those two areas of themselves and the church of God they were at. In all leadership this is true. If you are a parent you are a leader. If you are a manager or business owner you are a leader. If you are a teacher you are a leader. And if you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ you are to pay close attention first to yourself. Not that you are to be selfish, but that you are to be vigilant yourself first. We live in a world of slacking. We live in a world of ‘just get by’ rather than work hard and be vigilant. Leaders—you are a target. You are going to be tempted in special ways in order to ruin what God is trying to do. Inspection is essential. Self inspection that is. Vigilance is required.
Remember the grammar lesson earlier? The person who should be taking heed is a group, and the group is to take heed to themselves together, as a group. This verse is not for the individual, but for the group. No one is an island. In the multiplicity of spiritual leadership found in Ephesus at the time, the Apostle is making it clear they were to be checking on each other and holding themselves accountable with the group. This obviously requires submission. It is a no brainer that the leadership was to do the same for the flock and pay close vigilant attention to the state of their lives and spiritual health. But, by what means can one do this, if that person or persons in this case isn’t first doing this to themselves?
Paul repeats this truth in 1 Timothy 4.16 with, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” To Timothy first, then also to the doctrine. The doctrine, or body of teachable truth, was the means by which Timothy was to be checked and check on others. If done right, it can “both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” That makes this essential.
Churches in general in North America have drifted with the prevailing winds of world-think. That thinking is simple: church isn’t that essential; and that its the persons personal business. According to these passages alone—that’s not true. In fact, it is a lie. So many more passages tell us of being of the “same mind”, “one accord”, or even “having all things common.” May the Lord help us see that our individualism can cost us the essential nature of the church of God we belong to.
Just like he said in 1 Timothy 4.6, Paul said to the first Pastors of that church in Acts 20.28, “feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” The doctrine, the taking heed, and the feeding is all done with the word of God. It is the leveling instrument that determines if we are still building ‘square’ to the foundation of Jesus Christ. Any accountability done without this, is not accountability at all. Truth is essential! But do you know what else is? The church itself. He said it here in Acts 20.28, “the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” It is a precious thing. It is a blood bought body. It is the bride of Christ and the centerpiece of our spiritual lives. Take heed brethren. Take heed.