"And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned [neglected] to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 20:25-27

Let us not forget the context of these words. Paul was making his last quick visit with the elders of the church in Ephesus. Paul had planted that church and discipled its leaders over the course of around three years. After a long while away planting other churches, Paul stopped to say farewell while on his way to Jerusalem. He correctly seemed to know that he would not pass that way again. Before giving those elders some warnings and final instructions (later in this chapter), he reminded them of how he had ministered to them.

What did Paul mean by saying that he was “innocent of the blood of all men”? The next sentence explains what he meant. He was innocent of the blood of all men “For [because he had] not shunned [neglected] to declare to [them] the whole counsel of God.” Huh?

Paul felt so obligated to preach the Word, that had he not, he would have felt responsible for those who, having not heard, would have perished in their sin.

Remembering the previous post, how committed was Paul to the primary task of sharing Christ and the gospel as the one and only means of addressing everyone’s greatest need? How committed are you and I? How committed is the Church in our day of so many so-called churches that major on self-help, group therapy, and entertainment?

We certainly are not the only church, nor are we the best church, but may we always be a church committed to proclaiming Christ and the gospel as our primary task.

Footnote: Let us remember that the gospel is not only “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16) for those who are lost, but also for those of us who are being saved.

BTW: What does it mean to “declare the whole counsel of God”? Next time…