How does Acts 20:26 inspire us to declare "innocent of the blood of all"? Key verse “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.” – Acts 20:26 Setting the scene • Paul is meeting the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:17–38). • He is about to sail for Jerusalem, fully aware that suffering awaits (v. 23). • Looking back on three intensive years of ministry (v. 31), he can say without hesitation, “I am innocent of the blood of all men.” What Paul means by “innocent of the blood of all” • Old-Testament backdrop – Ezekiel 3:18–19; 33:6–7. A watchman who warns is free of guilt; silence brings accountability for another’s blood. • Paul applies that watchman principle to gospel proclamation. • By openly declaring “the whole will of God” (Acts 20:27) and withholding “nothing that was profitable” (v. 20), he ensured no one perished for lack of warning. Why this matters for us today • The same gospel stewardship rests on every believer, not just apostles or pastors. – Matthew 28:19-20 – we are commissioned to make disciples. – 1 Corinthians 9:16 – “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” • Eternity is at stake; silence is not neutral. • Faithful witness removes any charge that we failed to point people to salvation (Philippians 2:15-16). Marks of a life “innocent of the blood of all” 1. Complete message • Declare the “whole will of God” (Acts 20:27) – grace, repentance, judgment, hope. 2. Consistent lifestyle • Paul served “in humility, with tears, and trials” (v. 19). Integrity backs up words (1 Thessalonians 2:10). 3. Courage under pressure • He “did not shrink back” (v. 27) even when the message was unpopular (2 Timothy 4:2). 4. Compassionate urgency • Paul warned “night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31). Gospel zeal flows from love, not mere duty (2 Corinthians 5:14). 5. Cultural flexibility without compromise • He taught “publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20), reaching people where they were (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). Practical steps to live this out • Pray daily for open doors and boldness (Colossians 4:3-4). • Keep the gospel clear in your own heart—review 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. • Share personally: family, friends, co-workers. Start with your story plus Scripture. • Support and participate in missions, both local and global (Romans 10:14-15). • Disciple new believers so they, too, become faithful witnesses (2 Timothy 2:2). • Refuse to water down truth; speak it in love (Ephesians 4:15). • Maintain a clean conscience through ongoing confession and obedience (Acts 24:16). Encouragement Like Paul, we can finish our course confident that we have not kept the life-saving message to ourselves. By declaring Christ faithfully, we stand “innocent of the blood of all,” and we rejoice that many will stand with us, redeemed, to the glory of God. |
    |