We are nearly done with the final proofing of the second edition of our one-volume NT commentary. (The first edition came out in 2010, and we sold the last copies in January of this year.) We hope to have it in print by December 19.
I’ve been going through changes that Al Valdes made in his commentaries on Luke and Acts. When I got to Acts 20:21, he and I discussed it.
Here is what we finally came up with as commentary on Acts 20:21:
Paul also recounted the content of his ministry proclamation: “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (see also Luke 24:47). Paul here referred to his ministry in Asia from the first day (cf. 20:18). Repentance rendered unbelievers receptive to the gospel (cf. Acts 17:30-31). However, it never served as a co-condition for eternal salvation—which only requires belief in Jesus (cf. Acts 15:7-11; 16:31; see also John 3:16-18).
We left that comment a bit vague on the question of whether Acts 20:21 concerns Paul’s evangelistic preaching or all his preaching.
I’m in print as suggesting that Acts 20:21 concerns Paul’s entire preaching ministry, not simply his evangelistic preaching. (See here under II. E. See also an article by Bill Fiess here). However, I am open to the possibility that Paul is discussing his evangelistic ministry. It is true that when an unbeliever repents, he is more open to the message of life than he was before he repented. That could be what Paul is talking about. We do not have enough details in Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-38) to be certain. However, if it is appropriate to consider the epistle to the Ephesians in this question, then the evidence tips toward Acts 20:21 referring to Paul’s entire preaching ministry. Paul never mentions repentance in Ephesians. But he does mention salvation by faith alone often (Eph 1:13, 15, 19; 2:5, 8-9; 3:12).
The key is Al’s last line of explanation: “[repentance] never served as a co-condition for eternal salvation—which only requires belief in Jesus (cf. Acts 15:7-11; 16:31; see also John 3:16-18.”
