Acts 20 and the Question of Continuity: Why God Chooses People Over Systems Church History After Acts 20 To date

Paul’s words in Acts 20:29–30 are striking: "After my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." History shows he was right. But it also shows how God preserved His Church despite corruption. Here’s the pattern: 1. Post-apostolic era (1st–2nd century) As Paul feared, false teachers arose: Gnostics, Judaizers, and those twisting the gospel. Yet God raised strong voices — Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Irenaeus — men trained by the apostles or their disciples, who defended the true faith. Continuity came through the Spirit guiding them to guard apostolic teaching. 2. Imperial Christianity (4th–5th century) With Constantine, Christianity became tolerated and then state-supported. This brought growth but also compromise. Many leaders sought power, wealth, and political influence. But God raised reformers inside the church: Athanasius (defending Christ’s divinity against Arianism), Augustine (clarifying grace and truth). Even when systems bent toward error, God preserved truth through faithful men and women. 3. Middle Ages (6th–15th century) The church often strayed into superstition, corruption, and oppression — indulgences, political control, spiritual abuses. Yet God kept a remnant: monastic movements, Bible translators like Wycliffe, voices like Jan Hus. They prepared the ground for renewal. The gospel light never went out completely — just as Jesus promised. 4. Reformation & Beyond (16th century onward) When error hardened, God raised Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Tyndale, etc. The Reformation wasn’t perfect, but it re-centered the church on “Scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone.” Again, God didn’t prevent decline mechanically, but He restored His people dynamically. 5. Modern times Even now, churches wrestle with division, false teachings, and worldliness. But God keeps raising reformers, missionaries, and ordinary faithful believers who call the Church back to Christ. Despite the “wolves,” the gospel has spread farther than Paul could have imagined — fulfilling continuity not through flawless human systems, but through God’s Spirit. Big picture lesson: Paul’s fear came true — corruption came. But God’s larger promise also came true: His Church was never destroyed. The visible church stumbled, but the living Body of Christ has endured. So, the answer to the first question is clear in history: God didn’t install a failsafe system, but He did guarantee a faithful remnant and a victorious gospel. Systems fail. Leaders fade. But God’s Spirit ensures His work continues — just as Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Next we will see how this principle also applies personally — in our own walk — so you see how God ensures continuity in our faith, even when we stumble? #FaithReflections #Acts20 #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #GodsPlan #SpiritualGrowth #TrustInGod #ChurchHistory #ContinuityInFaith #WalkingWithGod #MenAboveSystems #GodsEnduringGrace