---
title: Acts 20:32
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/acts-20-32/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/acts-20-32.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Acts 20:32
testament: NT
section: Acts
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Acts 20:32

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

## JW Usage

Acts 20:32 — Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders — is not a featured Watchtower proof-text, and the reason is instructive. The verse is where the succession question gets answered in the wrong direction for the governing-body claim. Paul is leaving, he knows he is leaving, he will not see the Ephesian elders again — and this is the moment he commits them to… what?

## Protestant Usage

Read Paul's words at his most pastoral: "And now I entrust you to God and to the word of his undeserved kindness, which can build you up and give you the inheritance among all the sanctified ones" (NWT). Two things, not one. Not "I commit you to a standing council in Jerusalem." Not "send envoys each year for fresh decrees." Not "the apostolic succession will continue." Paul commits the elders to *God* and to *the word* — the apostolic gospel the elders have already received. When Paul knows he will not be back, his confidence is in the Scriptures they hold, not in a perpetual office that will govern them. Pair this with Ephesians 2:20 (the apostles as *foundation* — laid once) and Hebrews 2:3-4 (the gospel declared by the Lord, attested by the apostles). The chain is: prophets, Son, apostles, apostolic writings. There is no fifth stage called "successor governing body." The foundation is laid; the church stands on it.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [Foundation Laid Once — Apostles Are Not a Perpetual Office](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/apostles-foundation-eph220.md) — Ephesians 2:20 — A foundation is poured once, and the building stands on it forever [Authority]