Socio-Religious Relevance of Bo,ske ta. avrni,a mou (Feed my Lambs) in John 21:15-17 to the 21st Century Ministers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Abstract

This study explores the socio-religious relevance of the command "Feed my lambs" bo,ske ta. 
avrni,a mou in John 21:15–17, specifically addressing its implications for 21st century ministers 
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Through an exegetical and contextual analysis, the 
research situates Christ’s tripartite questioning of Peter within the Johannine literary and 
scriptural framework, examining how this dialogue transitions from Peter’s past failure to a 
future apostolic office rooted in love. The investigation includes a detailed textual and 
linguistic analysis of key Greek terms specifically the interplay between avgapa,w and file,w/ 
translated (love), and bo,skw “feed” and poimai,nw “shepherd” to determine the functional 
scope of pastoral care. Findings suggest that the directive extends beyond literal shepherding 
to a holistic nurturing of the Church community, addressing the spiritual, physical, social, 
mental, and emotional needs of the flock. Furthermore, the study aligns this biblical mandate 
with Seventh-day Adventist holistic anthropology, which views the body, soul, and spirit as an 
integrated whole, necessitating a ministry that meets people at the point of their “felt needs”, 
regardless. Ultimately, the research concludes that John 21:15–17 serves as a guiding 
principle for relational, proactive, and compassionate leadership, empowering modern 
ministers to navigate 21st century moral and social complexities while modeling Christ’s 
sacrificial love.