Acts 20:28 Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers to shepherd the church of God, which He obtained through His own blood. 1 Pet 1:18 Knowing that it was not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, that you were redeemed... (19) But with precious blood, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot, the blood of Christ.
The Greek word translated "obtained"[Acts 20:28 above] also means acquired or purchased. Whenever we purchase something, we acquire it, or obtain it. God acquired, obtained, the church by purchasing it. In order to purchase anything, we need to pay the price for that thing. According to Paul's word, God obtained the church by paying the price of "His own blood." The phrase "His own blood" in verse 28 is very unusual. It is quite bothering. Can God have blood? God is God; He is not a man or a creature. How, then, can God, the Creator, have blood? Some may try to explain this by saying that the blood in 20:28 is the blood of Jesus. But how can Jesus' blood be God's blood? The Lord Jesus is God, but 20:28 does not speak of Jesus; this verse speaks of God. As we consider this, we realize that it is very difficult to explain theologically. More than two centuries ago, Charles Wesley wrote a hymn that speaks of God dying for us. In this hymn Wesley says: "Amazing love! How can it be. That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?" Here Wesley declares that God died for us. Do you have the boldness to say that God died for you? (c) 2007 Living Stream Ministry.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Acts, pp. 467-468. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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