Innocent of the Blood of All Men

 Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20

“Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.”

Acts 20:26-28

Paul’s final statement to the Ephesian church elders that he was innocent of the blood of all men, is a reference to the Lord’s command to Ezekiel that when he sees sin, he must warn the person of the consequences before God, or else that persons’ blood would be on Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:18, 19). This call to be a watchman of God’s people and of our own lives is still the responsibility of church elders. Paul’s final meeting with the Ephesian elders was not primarily about their personal relationship, but about their responsibilities as leaders of Christ’s church.

Are we aware of the responsibilities before God that we carry as elders in the church?

Are we praying for our elders and pastors that they will not hesitate to proclaim the whole will of God, regardless of the consequences?

It is the Holy Spirit who set apart the Ephesian overseers in the church and the Holy Spirit is guiding and speaking to leadership teams in the church today.

Will we listen to and obey the Word?

“Lord Jesus, I choose to listen and obey your Word and the elders you have placed in your church, for your glory.”