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    The Holy Spirit Moves Paul to Say Good-bye

    While he was speaking, the Spirit of inspiration came on him, confirming his fears that this would be his last meeting with his Ephesian brethren.TT 205.4

    “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” No fear of giving offense could lead Paul to withhold the words that God had given him for their warning or correction. If the minister of Christ today sees that any of his flock are cherishing sin, he must as a faithful shepherd give them from God's word the instruction applicable to their case. The pastor must give his people faithful instruction, showing them what they must be and do in order to stand perfect in the day of God. 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.”TT 205.5

    “Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.” Ministers are dealing with the purchase of the blood of Christ. As representatives of Christ, they are to maintain the honor of His name. By purity of life they are to prove themselves worthy of their high calling.TT 206.1

    Dangers would assail the church at Ephesus: “I know this, 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.” Looking into the future, Paul saw the attacks which the church must suffer from both external and internal foes. “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears.”TT 206.2

    “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.” Paul had never sought personal benefit from the Ephesian brethren who were wealthy. “These hands,” he declared, “have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.” “I have showed you ... 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.”TT 206.3

    “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.”TT 206.4

    From Miletus the travelers sailed to Patara, where, “finding a ship sailing over unto Phoenicia,” they “went aboard, and set forth.” At Tyre, where the ship was unloaded, a few disciples were warned through the Holy Spirit of the perils awaiting Paul at Jerusalem. They urged him not to go on. But the apostle allowed no fear to turn him from his purpose.TT 207.1

    At Caesarea Paul spent a few peaceful, happy days—the last of perfect freedom he was to enjoy for a long time. While at Caesarea “a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us,” Luke says, “he took Paul's girdle and bound his own feet and hands, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” RSV.TT 207.2

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