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came into Asia； after what manner I have been with you at all seasons；
serving the Lord with all humility of mind； and with many tears； and
temptations； which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews： and how I
kept back nothing that was profitable unto you； but have showed you； and
have taught you publicly； and from house to house； testifying both to
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the Jews； and also to the Greeks； repentance toward God； and faith toward
our Lord Jesus Christ。〃
Paul had ever exalted the divine law。 He had shown that in the law there is
no power to save men from the penalty of disobedience。 Wrongdoers must
repent of their sins and humble themselves before God； whose just wrath they
have incurred by breaking His law； and they must also exercise faith in the
blood of Christ as their only means of pardon。 The Son of God had died as
their sacrifice and had ascended to heaven to stand before the Father as
their advocate。 By repentance and faith they might be freed from the
condemnation of sin and through the grace of Christ be enabled henceforth to
render obedience to the low of God。
〃And now； behold；〃 Paul continued； 〃I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem；
not knowing the things that shall befall me there： save that the Holy Ghost
witnesseth in every city； saying that bonds and afflictions abide me。 But
none of these things move me； neither count I my life dear unto myself； so
that I might finish my course with joy； and the ministry； which I have
received of the Lord Jesus； to testify 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 no 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
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unto you all the 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
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and enforce their instructions。 As 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。
The dangers that would assail the church at Ephesus were revealed to the
apostle。 〃I know this；〃 he said； 〃that after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you； not sparing the flock。 Also of your own selves
shall men arise； speaking perverse things； to draw away disciples after
them。〃 Paul trembled for the church as； looking into the future； he saw the
attacks which she must suffer from both external and internal foes。 With
solemn earnestness he bade his brethren guard vigilantly their sacred
trusts。 For an example he pointed them to his own unwearied labors among
them： 〃Therefore watch； and remember； that by the space of three years I
ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears。
〃And now； brethren；〃 he continued； 〃I commend you to God； and to the word of
His grace； which is able to build you up； and to give you an inheritance
among all them which are sanctified。 I have coveted no man's silver； or
gold； or apparel。〃 Some of the Ephesian brethren were wealthy； but Paul had
never sought personal benefit from them。 It was no part of his message to
call attention to his own wants。 〃These hands；〃 he declared； 〃have
ministered unto my necessities； and to them that were with me。〃 Amidst his
arduous labors and extensive journeys for the cause of Christ； he was
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able； not only to supply his own wants； but to spare something for the
support of his fellow laborers and the relief of the worthy poor。 This he
accomplished only by unremitting diligence and the closest economy。 Well
might he point to his own example as he said； 〃I have showed you all things；
how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak； and to remember the words
of the Lord Jesus； how He said； It is more blessed to give than to receive。
〃And when he had thus spoken； he kneeled down； and prayed with them all。 And
they all wept sore； and fell on Paul's neck； and kissed him； sorrowing most
of all for the words which he spake； that they should see his face no more。
And they accompanied him unto the ship。〃
From Miletus the travelers sailed in 〃a straight course unto Coos； and the
day following unto Rhodes； and from thence unto Patara；〃 on the southwest
shore of Asia Minor； where； 〃finding a ship sailing over unto Phoenicia；〃
they 〃went aboard； and set forth。〃 At Tyre； where the ship was unloaded；
they found a few disciples； with whom they were permitted to tarry seven
days。 Through the Holy Spirit these disciples were warned of the perils
awaiting Paul at Jerusalem； and they urged him 〃that he should not go up to
Jerusalem。〃 But the apostle allowed not the fear of affliction and
imprisonment to turn him from his purpose。
At the close of the week spent in Tyre； all the brethren； with their wives
and children； went with Paul to the ship； and before he stepped on board；
they knelt upon the shore and prayed； he for them； and they for him。
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Pursuing their journey southward； the travelers arrived at Caesarea and
〃ente