The COURSE Will be in question

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One’s course in this life is very important. And for those whom the Lord called for specific task, the fulfillment of it is very important. An example we can read is about John the baptizer.

 “And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.” ^{Acts 13:25}

And now let us consider Paul who mentioned about his course in Acts 20:24. ”But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus Christ…”

This COURSE is not similar to the course of Abijah set during David’s time. This does not refer to a period of time. Paul mentioned it twice (Acts 20:24 & 2Tim.4:7), but it is not what Luke said about John though the S. Concordance recorded it thrice with the same Greek usage. It is not even like the course that a ship is heading (Acts 21:1) or of this world (Eph.2:2).

I believe that this COURSE he referred to in 2Tim.4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” is the same COURSE he referred to back in the Book of Acts (within Inter-Acts epistles) which he mentioned that he desired to finish. Therefore, that COURSE he desired to finish is the COURSE he said in 2Timothy (Post-Acts epistle) that he already finished. Dispensationalists, specifically Acts 28ists, will tell you the other way, but it is clear from the word of God. The same ministry and course in his life that he started is the same as the one he finished.

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” ^{Eph 4:12}