For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Paul at Miletus gave this as his farewell testimony to the Ephesian elders, appealing to their knowledge of his humble, tearful, self-denying life among them rather than speaking mysteries. Not shunning means withholding nothing profitable but faithfully declaring the whole truth of Scripture, teaching publicly and from house to house repentance toward God and faith toward Christ, warning everyone night and day and preaching the kingdom of God. Because he kept back nothing profitable he could testify that he was pure from the blood of all men, while neglecting to warn and labor for souls within reach leaves their blood on the negligent worker. That full counsel upholds God's law and gospel in perfect harmony, and it requires plain pointed reproof of cherished sin and wrongs without flattery or fear of offending, with Christ crucified kept prominent and not buried under side issues. It is to be given gradually and wisely, one clear point at a time in short earnest discourses by the Spirit's power, and every minister and believer shares the charge to feed the flock Christ purchased and warn the unwarned to the end.
Paul's Farewell at Miletus
The words belong to Paul's farewell testimony to the Ephesian elders whom he had called to meet him at Miletus, and they are a plain appeal to their knowledge of his manner of life among them rather than the speaking of mysteries. He had served the Lord with all humility of mind, with many tears amid temptations, trials and opposition. He had not counted his own life dear to himself, in order to finish his course with joy in testifying the gospel of the grace of God.
His declaring the counsel of God meant keeping back nothing profitable but teaching what was profitable, both publicly and from house to house. It meant testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, preaching the kingdom of God. It meant warning everyone night and day with tears, continuing that watchful labor among them for three years.
That full declaration was joined with humble, self-supporting labor with his own hands at tentmaking to supply his own necessities and the necessities of those who were with him. He coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel, worked day and night so as to be chargeable to no man for his support, and even shared his earnings to help his fellow workers. Those toilworn hands took nothing from the force of his sensible, intelligent and eloquent appeals but bore testimony to his self-support, proving that honorable mechanical toil in any line does not lessen ministerial influence nor necessarily make a man coarse and rough and uncourteous.
Because he had thus kept back nothing profitable, his full declaration grounds his charge to the overseers whom the Holy Ghost had made overseers, to take heed to themselves and to feed the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. He gave that charge because he knew that after his departing grievous wolves would enter in among them not sparing the flock. From within their own number men would arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them, so watching and warning was laid upon those left with the flock.
Declaring Nothing Withheld
Not shunning means withholding nothing profitable but faithfully declaring the whole counsel of God and the whole truth of Scripture. Declaring was done publicly and from house to house, calling Jews and Greeks to repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, with humility and concern for those served. Because the teaching was thorough and complete, Paul could testify he was innocent of the blood of all, free from responsibility for their fate, leaving a charge to overseers to care for the flock entrusted to them. That completeness defines the work of teaching aimed at saving lost souls and bringing people to completeness in Christ, a ministry weighed in the investigative judgment that requires earnest, devoted labor and searching of Scripture to share all God wills.
It means teaching every point of Christian faith and all believers must be and do to stand perfect in the day of God. This includes instruction, warning and correction that may be painful or unpopular, with no truth withheld from fear of offending, desire for friendship or approval, or to please hearers. Even truths that carnal-minded or half-converted people find disagreeable are essential to genuine Christian work, and inability to teach them wisely is serious deficiency. Nothing is to turn the messenger from plainly presenting the whole counsel without partiality, bearing direct testimony against sin both within and outside the church. Those appointed as witnesses and watchmen must faithfully speak the message given without keeping silent, even when warnings bring accusations, threats or personal cost, crying aloud and sparing not to reprove selfishness and sins whether men will hear or forbear, doing duty regardless of consequences even when unpleasant.
Faithfulness in warning clears the worker, while letting people continue unwarned in cherished sin leaves their blood upon the negligent, and when the warning is delivered the hearer bears responsibility if he rejects it. Withholding God's message would endanger both the messenger's soul and the souls of others. It requires plain, pointed reproof and rebuke of cherished sin, selfishness, and wrongs and neglects in the church, whether men will hear or forbear. Straight testimonies given by God must be delivered faithfully and received rather than doubted or treated as insignificant, without smoothing over truth, flattery, smooth words, or crying peace where there is no peace. Replacing plain testimony with smooth words fails that duty, and smoothing the warning can make it ineffective and leave people unreproved while asleep in sin.
Such testimony exposes sin even when people resist it, prefer smooth words, or accuse the messenger of harshness, and rejection of it evidences a lukewarm condition, yet it serves to awaken and lead honest souls to decide for truth. Its full effect can be hindered when unconsecrated companions prejudice minds, weaken influence and obstruct the testimony about duty and wrongs in the church. God's messengers must not conceal the message, its source or purpose, nor make less prominent the special truths that distinguish God's people from the world, because those truths concern eternal interests. The whole counsel, especially the light given about events in the last days and in the last remnant of time, is to be proclaimed openly to the world with courage and the Spirit's power, because its consequences matter to heaven and earth. The message becomes fruitful through Christ's life in the soul and the love imparted by the Holy Spirit.
It means speaking as one put in trust with the gospel, not as pleasing men but God who tries the heart. Jesus Christ and Him crucified, the truth as it is in Jesus, must stand out clear and prominent in every discourse and not be buried under a mass of words, side issues, foolish and unlearned questions, drollery, novelty, romance, striving about words, vain philosophy, or carnal devices to please and attract people and bring means into the treasury. Declaring all the counsel means cultivating tact in rightly dividing the Word of truth, giving every man on every occasion his portion of meat in due season, what is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished, instead of treating truth in a humorous style. It is done without shunning any part because it will not please the hearers, sanctifying the Lord of Hosts as fear and dread, speaking the truth clear and close and practical without fear but with power and love and a sound mind, reproving, rebuking and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine, to feed the church of God purchased with His own blood and present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
It means holding back nothing God has given to be spoken but setting it plainly before fellow believers even when unwelcome, giving many warnings, pointing out dangers and presenting the exalted position God wants His people to occupy. This includes warnings, reproof and correction for neglecting His warnings, following human ideas and ways, refusing correction, being diverted from appointed work, and being partially blind, cold and lukewarm about the time and work. It urges believers to seek the Lord while He may be found, to be imbued with the Spirit of God and to walk in Christ's light, warning that without this Satan will work with diligence, blind eyes, and lead people to call light darkness and darkness light. Such full declaration is mercy and care to keep them in His love and separate from the world, so His special blessings rest upon them, His light shines round about them, and their influence for good is felt in every branch of the work and in every part of the gospel field; failing to meet the mind of God and sense the exalted character of the work makes influence and example a terrible curse that does harm and only harm, leaving the blood of precious souls upon garments.
Clear From Blood
Because nothing profitable was kept back and the full counsel was declared, the testimony could be given of being pure and innocent from the blood of all men, leaving overseers charged to care for the flock entrusted to them. That declaring meant serving with humility of mind and tears through trials, teaching publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews and Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ, not counting life dear in order to finish the course with joy in testifying the gospel of the grace of God. Thorough teaching in public and in private, with humility and concern for those served, made freedom from responsibility for spiritual loss possible and defines the work of teaching aimed at saving lost souls. Complete and faithful teaching is set as the measure of Christian ministry, calling for labor with the same earnestness and devotion.
Faithful ministry withholds no truth from fear of offending or desire for friendship and approval, but teaches every point of Christian faith and all believers must be and do to stand perfect in the day of God, including warnings and correction from the Word when sin is cherished. Declaring the full counsel is done by warning sinners, weeping over them, and pleading for their salvation, faithfully doing duty to lead souls to Christ and warn them. If people are left to continue unwarned in sin, responsibility for their blood rests on the one who let them continue, and neglect to warn, pray with, and earnestly labor for souls within reach leaves their blood on garments. Those who neglect this work bear responsibility for souls who die in their sins and will face them in the judgment, being answerable for influence upon people who died without Christ and for souls lost in darkness and sin. The duty to influence others toward salvation belongs to all, so that failure through selfishness, idleness, ease, indifference, or shame risks one's own soul, and no phase of the message for the time may be hidden from those ready to perish without dishonoring God and incurring responsibility for souls lost.
Complete teaching is the measure weighed in the investigative judgment near the close of time, and must aim to bring people to completeness in Christ and to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Preaching the truth as it is in Jesus, with Jesus Christ and Him crucified standing clear and prominent in every discourse and not buried under side issues, rightly dividing the Word to reprove, rebuke and exhort, feeds the church purchased with His own blood toward that perfection. When the warning is delivered the messenger remains clear of responsibility and is free from the blood of souls, while hearers bear responsibility if they reject it. Delay because hearers are spiritually unprepared, as John 16:12 illustrates, or withholding testimony where unbelief prevents reception until the path is cleared, as unbelief kept Christ from doing many mighty works in certain places, is not withholding altogether, for the warning and counsel must still be given even when resisted and when it brings accusations, threats, or personal cost. Unfaithfulness that makes the law of none effect leaves blood upon heads, yet this does not excuse hearers who listen to sophistry and discard the Word, for each remains personally responsible while God's law as a transcript of His character and His Word as Yea and Amen stand sure.
Miller expressed the same confidence of having cleansed garments from the blood of souls by faithfully preaching what he believed God had entrusted without shrinking from opposition or withholding from duty. He plainly presented the message and applied its cutting truths to hearts, seeking to warn others and fulfill duty rather than shrink from danger. His preaching led many to study Scripture and, through faith in Christ's blood, to be reconciled to God, which was his hope of being cleared of responsibility for souls who rejected the warning.
Truths the Counsel Includes
The whole counsel upholds God's law and gospel in perfect harmony, declaring the binding claims of His law with clearness and without confusing minds by human interpretations. It brings conviction that men have transgressed that law, and that true sense of condition leads to repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ. It includes teaching the commandments of God to children and carrying out love for one another in character and not in mere assent. Unfaithfulness that makes the law of none effect leaves souls to perish with their blood upon the negligent shepherds who feed themselves, yet does not excuse hearers who discard the Word for the sophistry of men, for each remains personally responsible while God's law as the transcript of His character and His Word as Yea and Amen stand sure.
That same counsel declares that God created the world in six days and rested upon the seventh day and sanctified the day of His rest, and no other day. It calls for observing the seventh-day Sabbath as God's sign that its observers are His loyal subjects and His people. It extends missionary influence from place to place and brings God's holy law before those in the darkness of error that they may keep His commandments and live. It is the full truth of Scripture to be received as God reveals it, requiring believers to keep advancing in understanding rather than stopping with earlier reformers. As the Puritans purposed to follow all God's ways as made known, so new claims must be examined and compared with other Scriptures before acceptance.
For this period of earth's history it is the truth for this time, to be declared at once in every place on all occasions not only in word as it is in the Word but in demonstration. It sanctifies the receiver and separates from those who do not respect and honor it, so the obedient cannot link up or yoke in confederacy with men who do not walk in the light of the commandments, and it must not be withheld through fear of displeasing or offending those indisposed to obey. With the end near, messengers must utter no distrust or discouragement and must not unite to sustain any evil course, walking humbly with God. Men's opinions, however educated or exalted in position, are not to be depended on, but only clearness and purity of knowledge shown by It is Written.
The human agent's part is to declare all that is essential for the hearer to receive, as was done for Lydia, and then God cooperates by opening willing ears to attend to the message and leading the soul rightly. Only those willing to be enlightened are enlightened, so faithful declaration joined with reception makes the work wholly successful. Faithfulness to this duty is faithfulness to principle that consecrates ability and entrusted means to advance the work and receives reward. At the time great light shines from the Word, diligent students of prophecy from all nations, tribes and peoples, coming from grossest error and even heathenism with meager opportunities, open mind and heart to its bright beams, work out salvation with fear and trembling, and as laborers brought in at the eleventh hour fill the places and take the crowns of those who had opportunity, privilege and great light but turned away from Christ, threw off the restraint of the Word and made void His law.
Teaching Fully and Wisely
Declaring all the counsel of God requires searching Scripture so the whole truth can be shared and nothing profitable withheld, that people may know their duty and understand God's will rather than stumble and be lost. Human ideas and traditions must not be allowed to cover God's precepts, and faithfulness does not mean overwhelming hearers with difficult material they cannot understand. Instruction is to be suited to understanding, given clearly and patiently one point at a time, with each point explained and its relation to other vital truths shown.
The whole counsel is to be declared gradually over a period of labor in a protracted effort, not brought out all in one discourse. Discourses are to be short, with one subject carefully selected at a time, and important points of doctrine made strong, clear and plain with reasons drawn from the Word that all may understand. Heavenly food is to be dealt out in measures hearers can retain and carry away and digest, so minds comprehend the truth and souls are impressed by it. It is to be uttered in the most pleasant manner so they want to hear again, that the gospel seed sown may take root and bear fruit. Long protracted preaching fails because hearers cannot grasp even one quarter of what is said, especially when new and startling truths involving a cross are presented.
Delivery must be carefully considered because the truth is precious, of more value than gold, and the message is to come to the hearer as the voice of God. Much of the effect of discourses is lost by the manner of delivery, so the voice is to be governed, full of pathos and melody, and not raised to a high key shouting the truth as through a trumpet, for that is nervous power rather than the calm spirit and power of the Holy Ghost and brings terrible exhaustion. The speaker is God's messenger with Christ and angels in the audience as listeners, and Jesus, the greatest teacher the world ever knew, calm, earnest and impressive in His discourses, is the example in all things. Giving the counsel in small portions in a pleasant manner shows trust in God to do His part and bless a short discourse to the good of the hearers, instead of taking the work out of God's hands, with the mind resting from writing and other strain while engaged in speaking.
Faithful servants declare the whole counsel and hold back no part of the truth by the power of the Holy Spirit rather than by their own power. They do not make self prominent but exalt Christ crucified, speaking words of God in warnings, appeals, reproof and correction in righteousness to reach those dead in trespasses and sins and arouse them from spiritual death to receive life from God and recognize their need of power from above. God works for such servants and puts His endorsement and approval upon their work as His messengers of righteousness. Their work continues throughout lifetime, holding the standard aloft till the hand is palsied by death, and though they sleep in death their thoughts, purposes and actions, although now unseen, will appear again at the great day of final retribution as witnesses either to approve or to condemn, while all things now seen must pass away.
Declaring all the counsel means cultivating tact in rightly dividing the Word, giving every person on every occasion his portion of meat in due season, what is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished to all good works. It must not be withheld from ministers or people in positions of responsibility to avoid displeasing them, nor shunned because it will not please the hearers. It is to be given with meekness and wisdom and with Christ's spirit and meekness, in plain pointed warnings and testimony to those in danger, avoiding both domineering, impatient, overbearing correction and failure to speak plainly. Shunning to declare is an extreme to be avoided because it runs into crying peace where there is no peace, treating truth in a humorous style, and weaving in sensational emotional religion that moves the feelings and leaves the heart unchanged, which is to be dreaded because once woven into experience it makes it hard for people to feel they must go deeper than mere emotional exercise and practice true godliness.
There is no excuse for choosing selfish indulgence, levity, love of pleasure, sporting, jesting and cheap common talk, which are strange fire; instead holy fire, the incense of prayer, must be offered daily before God. Prayer is made acceptable by Jesus' merits alone, with the Holy Spirit mingling with prayer to give it efficiency as holy fire on the censer sent up a cloud of sweet perfume to God, and the worker walks humbly in meekness and lowliness of mind knowing weakness and that his own prayers would go no higher than his head, coming with a reverent spirit and humbling himself before God. Freedom from the blood of souls comes only by faithfully doing the solemn sacred work of warning sinners in the shortness of time, working while the day lasts and securing the Lord to be present by holy living and earnest fervent prayer. This means linking the soul with Christ, dying to self and dying to sin but living to God and honoring Him daily, following Christ who poured out His soul with strong crying and tears, so that with angels preparing the way there is access to hearts, trusting not merely in arguments upon Bible truth but in the living Jesus imparting His power to work with believers through faith, as proved by God's power upon the hearts of unbelievers.
Full declaration requires self-examination to learn the meekness and lowliness of Christ, refusing an easy comfortable course or merely copying another minister. It means serving the Lord with humility, teaching publicly and from house to house repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ, taking heed to self and to the flock as overseers to feed the church God purchased with His own blood, and laboring to support the weak. Lambs and sheep, those young in the faith, must be fed with suitable scriptural teaching that educates them for usefulness and duty, or they will have a dwarfed experience and be exposed to temptation and deception. Each person individually must work as if a great responsibility rests upon them, manifesting untiring energy and tact and zeal, taking the burden with a feeling of the peril in which neighbors and friends are placed, working as Christ worked by presenting the truth as it is in Jesus so that the blood of souls will not be upon garments, while at the same time feeling entire dependence and trust in God because nothing can be done without His grace and power to help.
Ministers must declare the whole counsel firmly and fearlessly, with courage and without shrinking or neglecting any part of God's message. They are to be watchful and sober, wide-awake to discern evil and understand the needs of the work, and not sleep or be silent. Their solemn vows and commission as Christ's ambassadors require them to uphold its high standard while walking humbly before God. With the end near in the last days of this earth's history, the Lord's messengers must faithfully bear the message of truth for this time as He instructs them without failing, uttering no word of distrust or discouragement, unifying and walking humbly with Him but not unifying to sustain anyone in an evil course of action. This is especially needed when spiritual dangers and moral failures are increasing, like those that confronted Israel before entering Canaan.
Charge to All Workers
Every minister is to copy the home missionary pattern of declaring all profitable truth without holding back, serving with humility and tears amid opposition, teaching publicly and from house to house and testifying repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ so as to be pure from the blood of all. That means not only preaching sermons in the house of God but going from house to house, becoming acquainted with the different families whether converted or without God and without hope. Public discourses are to be followed with personal labor and helpful, encouraging words to feed the church purchased with His own blood, for such personal work is far more effective for the well-being of the people than preaching alone. Teachers entrusted with souls are shepherds of the flock who must give God's counsel faithfully because faithful declaration clears responsibility for withholding truth. They must take heed to themselves and feed God's church which Christ purchased with His blood, caring for those entrusted to them and not ruling harshly or driving the flock away.
All God's children share the duty to influence others toward salvation and to take part in Christ's work of seeking them, and carelessness in that work can leave their blood on one's garments. Those who could have helped save souls but fail through selfishness, idleness, ease, indifference, or shame of Christ will answer for the good they could have done, risk losing their own souls, and bear responsibility for those left unwarned to perish in darkness and sin. Faithful proclamation makes one answerable for warning and teaching, while turning away from spiritual need leaves professed keepers of the law accountable for souls remaining in darkness, so every believer should take part through missionary work. Straight testimony about duty and the wrongs in the church must be declared without holding back, and it may need to reach ministers' own companions as well as the church. When companions are unconsecrated they resist it, prejudice minds, weaken usefulness and influence, obstruct its full effect, and share responsibility for the harm to souls.
Bearing the whole counsel without shunning means bearing straight testimonies when needed, even when what is shown is doubted, bears only with a feather's weight and is not received, and even when the church is not united to endure them. It requires freedom to follow the movings of the Spirit and bear what is given, and to move to where there is freedom and liberty and reception if freedom is lacking. Failure in this duty brings bondage, causes health and strength to fail, and lays bondage upon the people. The charge applies to giving a clear and decisive warning about sin including pride and worldliness in dress rather than withholding truth because such conduct is widespread, thereby being clear of responsibility for spiritual ruin. It applies to using time and means to help the poor, support the gospel, bring spiritual comfort, and share God's word, since neglecting such opportunities can leave souls' blood on garments. It applies to plainly warning the church not to place an unconverted, unsuitable man in influence to preach and oversee the flock, after which the speaker has done duty before God and leaves the church responsible for its choice. It applies to declaring the whole instruction given without wittingly holding any part back from anyone, stating facts as divinely instructed without entering controversy over human sources by admitting or denying who gave information, while deferring speech when cautioned to wait until danger makes speaking necessary.
Ministers who warn of coming judgment bear a solemn charge to declare all without reserve, tell the binding claims of the law, preach the Word with clearness without confusing minds with their own interpretations, carry out its principles in their own life, and stay ever at post as watchmen watching for souls as those who must give strict account. If a minister puts inclination ahead of duty, indulges self at expense of spiritual strength, diverts mind with unholy thoughts and selfish plans, weakens mental and physical power, and acts abruptly, impatiently, fitfully and impulsively without consecration, he builds up and then tears down, disheartens, distresses and discourages converts, prejudices souls against truth, loses confidence, and mars defective labor. Such unfaithfulness leaves blood on garments, souls will rise in judgment to condemn him, and its full consequences will be understood only when seen as God sees. Unfaithful shepherds who feed themselves while neglecting to feed the flock make the law of none effect, souls perish through their unfaithfulness and their blood is upon their heads, though this does not excuse hearers who listen to sophistry and discard the Word, for each remains personally responsible while God's law as transcript of His character and His Word as Yea and Amen stand sure. Faithfulness to the end in declaring the revealed message fully brings the promise of eternal life and reward for being true to principle, consecrating ability and all entrusted means to advance the work. That faithfulness requires taking a clear stand for Christ and heeding His testimonies, counsels and warnings rather than occupying middle ground or acting contrary to them, and overcoming hindrances when false reports and prejudice keep people from hearing. At the time great light shines from the Word, diligent students of prophecy from all nations, tribes and peoples come from grossest error, work out salvation with fear and trembling, and fulfill this duty as eleventh-hour laborers filling the places and taking the crowns of those who had opportunity, privilege and great light but turned away, threw off restraint and made void His law.
Paul at Miletus gave this as his farewell testimony to the Ephesian elders, appealing to their knowledge of his humble, tearful, self-denying life among them rather than speaking mysteries. Not shunning means withholding nothing profitable but faithfully declaring the whole truth of Scripture, teaching publicly and from house to house repentance toward God and faith toward Christ, warning everyone night and day and preaching the kingdom of God. Because he kept back nothing profitable he could testify that he was pure from the blood of all men, while neglecting to warn and labor for souls within reach leaves their blood on the negligent worker. That full counsel upholds God's law and gospel in perfect harmony, and it requires plain pointed reproof of cherished sin and wrongs without flattery or fear of offending, with Christ crucified kept prominent and not buried under side issues. It is to be given gradually and wisely, one clear point at a time in short earnest discourses by the Spirit's power, and every minister and believer shares the charge to feed the flock Christ purchased and warn the unwarned to the end.
Paul's Farewell at Miletus
The words belong to Paul's farewell testimony to the Ephesian elders whom he had called to meet him at Miletus, and they are a plain appeal to their knowledge of his manner of life among them rather than the speaking of mysteries. He had served the Lord with all humility of mind, with many tears amid temptations, trials and opposition. He had not counted his own life dear to himself, in order to finish his course with joy in testifying the gospel of the grace of God.
His declaring the counsel of God meant keeping back nothing profitable but teaching what was profitable, both publicly and from house to house. It meant testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, preaching the kingdom of God. It meant warning everyone night and day with tears, continuing that watchful labor among them for three years.
That full declaration was joined with humble, self-supporting labor with his own hands at tentmaking to supply his own necessities and the necessities of those who were with him. He coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel, worked day and night so as to be chargeable to no man for his support, and even shared his earnings to help his fellow workers. Those toilworn hands took nothing from the force of his sensible, intelligent and eloquent appeals but bore testimony to his self-support, proving that honorable mechanical toil in any line does not lessen ministerial influence nor necessarily make a man coarse and rough and uncourteous.
Because he had thus kept back nothing profitable, his full declaration grounds his charge to the overseers whom the Holy Ghost had made overseers, to take heed to themselves and to feed the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. He gave that charge because he knew that after his departing grievous wolves would enter in among them not sparing the flock. From within their own number men would arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them, so watching and warning was laid upon those left with the flock.
Declaring Nothing Withheld
Not shunning means withholding nothing profitable but faithfully declaring the whole counsel of God and the whole truth of Scripture. Declaring was done publicly and from house to house, calling Jews and Greeks to repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, with humility and concern for those served. Because the teaching was thorough and complete, Paul could testify he was innocent of the blood of all, free from responsibility for their fate, leaving a charge to overseers to care for the flock entrusted to them. That completeness defines the work of teaching aimed at saving lost souls and bringing people to completeness in Christ, a ministry weighed in the investigative judgment that requires earnest, devoted labor and searching of Scripture to share all God wills.
It means teaching every point of Christian faith and all believers must be and do to stand perfect in the day of God. This includes instruction, warning and correction that may be painful or unpopular, with no truth withheld from fear of offending, desire for friendship or approval, or to please hearers. Even truths that carnal-minded or half-converted people find disagreeable are essential to genuine Christian work, and inability to teach them wisely is serious deficiency. Nothing is to turn the messenger from plainly presenting the whole counsel without partiality, bearing direct testimony against sin both within and outside the church. Those appointed as witnesses and watchmen must faithfully speak the message given without keeping silent, even when warnings bring accusations, threats or personal cost, crying aloud and sparing not to reprove selfishness and sins whether men will hear or forbear, doing duty regardless of consequences even when unpleasant.
Faithfulness in warning clears the worker, while letting people continue unwarned in cherished sin leaves their blood upon the negligent, and when the warning is delivered the hearer bears responsibility if he rejects it. Withholding God's message would endanger both the messenger's soul and the souls of others. It requires plain, pointed reproof and rebuke of cherished sin, selfishness, and wrongs and neglects in the church, whether men will hear or forbear. Straight testimonies given by God must be delivered faithfully and received rather than doubted or treated as insignificant, without smoothing over truth, flattery, smooth words, or crying peace where there is no peace. Replacing plain testimony with smooth words fails that duty, and smoothing the warning can make it ineffective and leave people unreproved while asleep in sin.
Such testimony exposes sin even when people resist it, prefer smooth words, or accuse the messenger of harshness, and rejection of it evidences a lukewarm condition, yet it serves to awaken and lead honest souls to decide for truth. Its full effect can be hindered when unconsecrated companions prejudice minds, weaken influence and obstruct the testimony about duty and wrongs in the church. God's messengers must not conceal the message, its source or purpose, nor make less prominent the special truths that distinguish God's people from the world, because those truths concern eternal interests. The whole counsel, especially the light given about events in the last days and in the last remnant of time, is to be proclaimed openly to the world with courage and the Spirit's power, because its consequences matter to heaven and earth. The message becomes fruitful through Christ's life in the soul and the love imparted by the Holy Spirit.
It means speaking as one put in trust with the gospel, not as pleasing men but God who tries the heart. Jesus Christ and Him crucified, the truth as it is in Jesus, must stand out clear and prominent in every discourse and not be buried under a mass of words, side issues, foolish and unlearned questions, drollery, novelty, romance, striving about words, vain philosophy, or carnal devices to please and attract people and bring means into the treasury. Declaring all the counsel means cultivating tact in rightly dividing the Word of truth, giving every man on every occasion his portion of meat in due season, what is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished, instead of treating truth in a humorous style. It is done without shunning any part because it will not please the hearers, sanctifying the Lord of Hosts as fear and dread, speaking the truth clear and close and practical without fear but with power and love and a sound mind, reproving, rebuking and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine, to feed the church of God purchased with His own blood and present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
It means holding back nothing God has given to be spoken but setting it plainly before fellow believers even when unwelcome, giving many warnings, pointing out dangers and presenting the exalted position God wants His people to occupy. This includes warnings, reproof and correction for neglecting His warnings, following human ideas and ways, refusing correction, being diverted from appointed work, and being partially blind, cold and lukewarm about the time and work. It urges believers to seek the Lord while He may be found, to be imbued with the Spirit of God and to walk in Christ's light, warning that without this Satan will work with diligence, blind eyes, and lead people to call light darkness and darkness light. Such full declaration is mercy and care to keep them in His love and separate from the world, so His special blessings rest upon them, His light shines round about them, and their influence for good is felt in every branch of the work and in every part of the gospel field; failing to meet the mind of God and sense the exalted character of the work makes influence and example a terrible curse that does harm and only harm, leaving the blood of precious souls upon garments.
Clear From Blood
Because nothing profitable was kept back and the full counsel was declared, the testimony could be given of being pure and innocent from the blood of all men, leaving overseers charged to care for the flock entrusted to them. That declaring meant serving with humility of mind and tears through trials, teaching publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews and Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ, not counting life dear in order to finish the course with joy in testifying the gospel of the grace of God. Thorough teaching in public and in private, with humility and concern for those served, made freedom from responsibility for spiritual loss possible and defines the work of teaching aimed at saving lost souls. Complete and faithful teaching is set as the measure of Christian ministry, calling for labor with the same earnestness and devotion.
Faithful ministry withholds no truth from fear of offending or desire for friendship and approval, but teaches every point of Christian faith and all believers must be and do to stand perfect in the day of God, including warnings and correction from the Word when sin is cherished. Declaring the full counsel is done by warning sinners, weeping over them, and pleading for their salvation, faithfully doing duty to lead souls to Christ and warn them. If people are left to continue unwarned in sin, responsibility for their blood rests on the one who let them continue, and neglect to warn, pray with, and earnestly labor for souls within reach leaves their blood on garments. Those who neglect this work bear responsibility for souls who die in their sins and will face them in the judgment, being answerable for influence upon people who died without Christ and for souls lost in darkness and sin. The duty to influence others toward salvation belongs to all, so that failure through selfishness, idleness, ease, indifference, or shame risks one's own soul, and no phase of the message for the time may be hidden from those ready to perish without dishonoring God and incurring responsibility for souls lost.
Complete teaching is the measure weighed in the investigative judgment near the close of time, and must aim to bring people to completeness in Christ and to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Preaching the truth as it is in Jesus, with Jesus Christ and Him crucified standing clear and prominent in every discourse and not buried under side issues, rightly dividing the Word to reprove, rebuke and exhort, feeds the church purchased with His own blood toward that perfection. When the warning is delivered the messenger remains clear of responsibility and is free from the blood of souls, while hearers bear responsibility if they reject it. Delay because hearers are spiritually unprepared, as John 16:12 illustrates, or withholding testimony where unbelief prevents reception until the path is cleared, as unbelief kept Christ from doing many mighty works in certain places, is not withholding altogether, for the warning and counsel must still be given even when resisted and when it brings accusations, threats, or personal cost. Unfaithfulness that makes the law of none effect leaves blood upon heads, yet this does not excuse hearers who listen to sophistry and discard the Word, for each remains personally responsible while God's law as a transcript of His character and His Word as Yea and Amen stand sure.
Miller expressed the same confidence of having cleansed garments from the blood of souls by faithfully preaching what he believed God had entrusted without shrinking from opposition or withholding from duty. He plainly presented the message and applied its cutting truths to hearts, seeking to warn others and fulfill duty rather than shrink from danger. His preaching led many to study Scripture and, through faith in Christ's blood, to be reconciled to God, which was his hope of being cleared of responsibility for souls who rejected the warning.
Truths the Counsel Includes
The whole counsel upholds God's law and gospel in perfect harmony, declaring the binding claims of His law with clearness and without confusing minds by human interpretations. It brings conviction that men have transgressed that law, and that true sense of condition leads to repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ. It includes teaching the commandments of God to children and carrying out love for one another in character and not in mere assent. Unfaithfulness that makes the law of none effect leaves souls to perish with their blood upon the negligent shepherds who feed themselves, yet does not excuse hearers who discard the Word for the sophistry of men, for each remains personally responsible while God's law as the transcript of His character and His Word as Yea and Amen stand sure.
That same counsel declares that God created the world in six days and rested upon the seventh day and sanctified the day of His rest, and no other day. It calls for observing the seventh-day Sabbath as God's sign that its observers are His loyal subjects and His people. It extends missionary influence from place to place and brings God's holy law before those in the darkness of error that they may keep His commandments and live. It is the full truth of Scripture to be received as God reveals it, requiring believers to keep advancing in understanding rather than stopping with earlier reformers. As the Puritans purposed to follow all God's ways as made known, so new claims must be examined and compared with other Scriptures before acceptance.
For this period of earth's history it is the truth for this time, to be declared at once in every place on all occasions not only in word as it is in the Word but in demonstration. It sanctifies the receiver and separates from those who do not respect and honor it, so the obedient cannot link up or yoke in confederacy with men who do not walk in the light of the commandments, and it must not be withheld through fear of displeasing or offending those indisposed to obey. With the end near, messengers must utter no distrust or discouragement and must not unite to sustain any evil course, walking humbly with God. Men's opinions, however educated or exalted in position, are not to be depended on, but only clearness and purity of knowledge shown by It is Written.
The human agent's part is to declare all that is essential for the hearer to receive, as was done for Lydia, and then God cooperates by opening willing ears to attend to the message and leading the soul rightly. Only those willing to be enlightened are enlightened, so faithful declaration joined with reception makes the work wholly successful. Faithfulness to this duty is faithfulness to principle that consecrates ability and entrusted means to advance the work and receives reward. At the time great light shines from the Word, diligent students of prophecy from all nations, tribes and peoples, coming from grossest error and even heathenism with meager opportunities, open mind and heart to its bright beams, work out salvation with fear and trembling, and as laborers brought in at the eleventh hour fill the places and take the crowns of those who had opportunity, privilege and great light but turned away from Christ, threw off the restraint of the Word and made void His law.
Teaching Fully and Wisely
Declaring all the counsel of God requires searching Scripture so the whole truth can be shared and nothing profitable withheld, that people may know their duty and understand God's will rather than stumble and be lost. Human ideas and traditions must not be allowed to cover God's precepts, and faithfulness does not mean overwhelming hearers with difficult material they cannot understand. Instruction is to be suited to understanding, given clearly and patiently one point at a time, with each point explained and its relation to other vital truths shown.
The whole counsel is to be declared gradually over a period of labor in a protracted effort, not brought out all in one discourse. Discourses are to be short, with one subject carefully selected at a time, and important points of doctrine made strong, clear and plain with reasons drawn from the Word that all may understand. Heavenly food is to be dealt out in measures hearers can retain and carry away and digest, so minds comprehend the truth and souls are impressed by it. It is to be uttered in the most pleasant manner so they want to hear again, that the gospel seed sown may take root and bear fruit. Long protracted preaching fails because hearers cannot grasp even one quarter of what is said, especially when new and startling truths involving a cross are presented.
Delivery must be carefully considered because the truth is precious, of more value than gold, and the message is to come to the hearer as the voice of God. Much of the effect of discourses is lost by the manner of delivery, so the voice is to be governed, full of pathos and melody, and not raised to a high key shouting the truth as through a trumpet, for that is nervous power rather than the calm spirit and power of the Holy Ghost and brings terrible exhaustion. The speaker is God's messenger with Christ and angels in the audience as listeners, and Jesus, the greatest teacher the world ever knew, calm, earnest and impressive in His discourses, is the example in all things. Giving the counsel in small portions in a pleasant manner shows trust in God to do His part and bless a short discourse to the good of the hearers, instead of taking the work out of God's hands, with the mind resting from writing and other strain while engaged in speaking.
Faithful servants declare the whole counsel and hold back no part of the truth by the power of the Holy Spirit rather than by their own power. They do not make self prominent but exalt Christ crucified, speaking words of God in warnings, appeals, reproof and correction in righteousness to reach those dead in trespasses and sins and arouse them from spiritual death to receive life from God and recognize their need of power from above. God works for such servants and puts His endorsement and approval upon their work as His messengers of righteousness. Their work continues throughout lifetime, holding the standard aloft till the hand is palsied by death, and though they sleep in death their thoughts, purposes and actions, although now unseen, will appear again at the great day of final retribution as witnesses either to approve or to condemn, while all things now seen must pass away.
Declaring all the counsel means cultivating tact in rightly dividing the Word, giving every person on every occasion his portion of meat in due season, what is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished to all good works. It must not be withheld from ministers or people in positions of responsibility to avoid displeasing them, nor shunned because it will not please the hearers. It is to be given with meekness and wisdom and with Christ's spirit and meekness, in plain pointed warnings and testimony to those in danger, avoiding both domineering, impatient, overbearing correction and failure to speak plainly. Shunning to declare is an extreme to be avoided because it runs into crying peace where there is no peace, treating truth in a humorous style, and weaving in sensational emotional religion that moves the feelings and leaves the heart unchanged, which is to be dreaded because once woven into experience it makes it hard for people to feel they must go deeper than mere emotional exercise and practice true godliness.
There is no excuse for choosing selfish indulgence, levity, love of pleasure, sporting, jesting and cheap common talk, which are strange fire; instead holy fire, the incense of prayer, must be offered daily before God. Prayer is made acceptable by Jesus' merits alone, with the Holy Spirit mingling with prayer to give it efficiency as holy fire on the censer sent up a cloud of sweet perfume to God, and the worker walks humbly in meekness and lowliness of mind knowing weakness and that his own prayers would go no higher than his head, coming with a reverent spirit and humbling himself before God. Freedom from the blood of souls comes only by faithfully doing the solemn sacred work of warning sinners in the shortness of time, working while the day lasts and securing the Lord to be present by holy living and earnest fervent prayer. This means linking the soul with Christ, dying to self and dying to sin but living to God and honoring Him daily, following Christ who poured out His soul with strong crying and tears, so that with angels preparing the way there is access to hearts, trusting not merely in arguments upon Bible truth but in the living Jesus imparting His power to work with believers through faith, as proved by God's power upon the hearts of unbelievers.
Full declaration requires self-examination to learn the meekness and lowliness of Christ, refusing an easy comfortable course or merely copying another minister. It means serving the Lord with humility, teaching publicly and from house to house repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ, taking heed to self and to the flock as overseers to feed the church God purchased with His own blood, and laboring to support the weak. Lambs and sheep, those young in the faith, must be fed with suitable scriptural teaching that educates them for usefulness and duty, or they will have a dwarfed experience and be exposed to temptation and deception. Each person individually must work as if a great responsibility rests upon them, manifesting untiring energy and tact and zeal, taking the burden with a feeling of the peril in which neighbors and friends are placed, working as Christ worked by presenting the truth as it is in Jesus so that the blood of souls will not be upon garments, while at the same time feeling entire dependence and trust in God because nothing can be done without His grace and power to help.
Ministers must declare the whole counsel firmly and fearlessly, with courage and without shrinking or neglecting any part of God's message. They are to be watchful and sober, wide-awake to discern evil and understand the needs of the work, and not sleep or be silent. Their solemn vows and commission as Christ's ambassadors require them to uphold its high standard while walking humbly before God. With the end near in the last days of this earth's history, the Lord's messengers must faithfully bear the message of truth for this time as He instructs them without failing, uttering no word of distrust or discouragement, unifying and walking humbly with Him but not unifying to sustain anyone in an evil course of action. This is especially needed when spiritual dangers and moral failures are increasing, like those that confronted Israel before entering Canaan.
Charge to All Workers
Every minister is to copy the home missionary pattern of declaring all profitable truth without holding back, serving with humility and tears amid opposition, teaching publicly and from house to house and testifying repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ so as to be pure from the blood of all. That means not only preaching sermons in the house of God but going from house to house, becoming acquainted with the different families whether converted or without God and without hope. Public discourses are to be followed with personal labor and helpful, encouraging words to feed the church purchased with His own blood, for such personal work is far more effective for the well-being of the people than preaching alone. Teachers entrusted with souls are shepherds of the flock who must give God's counsel faithfully because faithful declaration clears responsibility for withholding truth. They must take heed to themselves and feed God's church which Christ purchased with His blood, caring for those entrusted to them and not ruling harshly or driving the flock away.
All God's children share the duty to influence others toward salvation and to take part in Christ's work of seeking them, and carelessness in that work can leave their blood on one's garments. Those who could have helped save souls but fail through selfishness, idleness, ease, indifference, or shame of Christ will answer for the good they could have done, risk losing their own souls, and bear responsibility for those left unwarned to perish in darkness and sin. Faithful proclamation makes one answerable for warning and teaching, while turning away from spiritual need leaves professed keepers of the law accountable for souls remaining in darkness, so every believer should take part through missionary work. Straight testimony about duty and the wrongs in the church must be declared without holding back, and it may need to reach ministers' own companions as well as the church. When companions are unconsecrated they resist it, prejudice minds, weaken usefulness and influence, obstruct its full effect, and share responsibility for the harm to souls.
Bearing the whole counsel without shunning means bearing straight testimonies when needed, even when what is shown is doubted, bears only with a feather's weight and is not received, and even when the church is not united to endure them. It requires freedom to follow the movings of the Spirit and bear what is given, and to move to where there is freedom and liberty and reception if freedom is lacking. Failure in this duty brings bondage, causes health and strength to fail, and lays bondage upon the people. The charge applies to giving a clear and decisive warning about sin including pride and worldliness in dress rather than withholding truth because such conduct is widespread, thereby being clear of responsibility for spiritual ruin. It applies to using time and means to help the poor, support the gospel, bring spiritual comfort, and share God's word, since neglecting such opportunities can leave souls' blood on garments. It applies to plainly warning the church not to place an unconverted, unsuitable man in influence to preach and oversee the flock, after which the speaker has done duty before God and leaves the church responsible for its choice. It applies to declaring the whole instruction given without wittingly holding any part back from anyone, stating facts as divinely instructed without entering controversy over human sources by admitting or denying who gave information, while deferring speech when cautioned to wait until danger makes speaking necessary.
Ministers who warn of coming judgment bear a solemn charge to declare all without reserve, tell the binding claims of the law, preach the Word with clearness without confusing minds with their own interpretations, carry out its principles in their own life, and stay ever at post as watchmen watching for souls as those who must give strict account. If a minister puts inclination ahead of duty, indulges self at expense of spiritual strength, diverts mind with unholy thoughts and selfish plans, weakens mental and physical power, and acts abruptly, impatiently, fitfully and impulsively without consecration, he builds up and then tears down, disheartens, distresses and discourages converts, prejudices souls against truth, loses confidence, and mars defective labor. Such unfaithfulness leaves blood on garments, souls will rise in judgment to condemn him, and its full consequences will be understood only when seen as God sees. Unfaithful shepherds who feed themselves while neglecting to feed the flock make the law of none effect, souls perish through their unfaithfulness and their blood is upon their heads, though this does not excuse hearers who listen to sophistry and discard the Word, for each remains personally responsible while God's law as transcript of His character and His Word as Yea and Amen stand sure. Faithfulness to the end in declaring the revealed message fully brings the promise of eternal life and reward for being true to principle, consecrating ability and all entrusted means to advance the work. That faithfulness requires taking a clear stand for Christ and heeding His testimonies, counsels and warnings rather than occupying middle ground or acting contrary to them, and overcoming hindrances when false reports and prejudice keep people from hearing. At the time great light shines from the Word, diligent students of prophecy from all nations, tribes and peoples come from grossest error, work out salvation with fear and trembling, and fulfill this duty as eleventh-hour laborers filling the places and taking the crowns of those who had opportunity, privilege and great light but turned away, threw off restraint and made void His law.