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The Acts of the Apostles
the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all,
among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see
my face no more.”
Paul had not designed to bear this testimony; but, while he was
speaking, the Spirit of Inspiration came upon him, confirming his fears
that this would be his last meeting with his Ephesian brethren.
“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the
blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the
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counsel of God.” No fear of giving offense, no desire for friendship or
applause, could lead Paul to withhold the words that God had given
him for their instruction, warning, or correction. From His servants
today God requires fearlessness in preaching the word and in carrying
out its precepts. The minister of Christ is not to present to the people
only those truths that are the most pleasing, while he withholds others
that might cause them pain. He should watch with deep solicitude
the development of character. If he sees that any of his flock are
cherishing sin he must as a faithful shepherd give them from God’s
word the instruction that is applicable to their case. Should he permit
them in their self-confidence to go on unwarned, he would be held
responsible for their souls. The pastor who fulfills his high commission
must give his people faithful instruction on every point of the Christian
faith, showing them what they must be and do in order to stand perfect
in the day of God. He only who is a faithful teacher of the truth will
at the close of his work be able to say with Paul, “I am pure from the
blood of all men.”
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves,” the apostle admonished
his brethren, “and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost
hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath
purchased with His own blood.” If ministers of the gospel were to bear
constantly in mind the fact that they are dealing with the purchase of
the blood of Christ, they would have a deeper sense of the importance
of their work. They are to take heed to themselves and to their flock.
Their own example is to illustrate and enforce their instructions. As
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teachers of the way of life they should give no occasion for the truth
to be evil spoken of. As representatives of Christ they are to maintain
the honor of His name. By their devotion, their purity of life, their
godly conversation, they are to prove themselves worthy of their high
calling.