“And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom, will no longer see my face. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 20:25-27

Paul was on his journey to Jerusalem where he knew that he would be arrested and imprisoned. He was making stops along the way to visit the brethren. Here, Paul had sailed past Ephesus because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost. He was hoping to kill two birds with one stone by calling for the Ephesian Elders to meet him at Miletus. Miletus is where his ship docked and he wanted to see the Ephesian Elders after his visit with the Church in Miletus. 

Unlike with any other Church, Paul had a very special and personal relationship with the brethren who lived in Ephesus because he lived with them for a period of three years. The Church in Ephesus was birthed as a result of his evangelism and for three years he went from home Church to home Church teaching the brethren the whole counsel of God. Paul had personally ordained most if not all the Pastors and Elders who shepherded the flock in the city. So, it is easy to understand why this meeting was so emotionally charged.

Paul pleaded for the Elders - “be on guard for yourselves and for the flock” whom the Holy Spirit had anointed them to oversee. He prophesied that “savage wolves” would come in to devour the flock, and that even some of their number would arise teaching perverse things which would lead brethren astray.

And he was openly testifying before them that he had examined himself and had determined that he had done all he could do to prepare them. Paul understood that God had placed him as a watchman in Ephesus and that if he had failed to properly educate them in the will of God that he would stand guilty before God. Paul knew that he was his brother’s keeper. Therefore, he concluded and testified before them that he was innocence of their blood because he -“did not shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God to them.”

God declares “ALL SOULS ARE MINE!” Every soul is priceless. A soul has infinite value which is why it took God becoming a man to suffer and die to redeem a lost soul. It is not God’s will that any soul should perish, yet “the many” will according to the Bible. Christians are lights sent out into a dark world that those who are in darkness can see their way out. 

We cannot comfort sinners in their sins. Too much of the Church today is like a big lukewarm hot tub where even sinners can be comfortable without true repentance and real forgiveness. Christians have been sent forth with the ministry of reconciliation by which we are to beg sinners to repent and be reconciled to God.

 A partial truth is a lie - it is deceptive by its very nature. If we shrink back from declaring the whole counsel of God we speak only a partial truth.

Too often the motivation is fear of rejection so the fullness of the message of the Gospel is watered down to make it easier to receive. Oh, that we would have the attitude of Paul and understand that the whole counsel is necessary and that if we shrink back from proclaiming it we cannot be innocent of the blood of those who perish for lack of knowledge.