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 unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27)
The Jewish apostle Paul spoke those words to his fellow believers nearly two thousand years ago. What a statement Paul makes here in saying that his hands were clean, and pure from the blood of all men. How could Paul could speak with such confidence, and with a clear conscience? He gives us the answer, when he says that he has not shunned to declare all the counsel of God to all the people that the Lord allowed him to preach to.
The apostle Paul was converted on the road to Damascus by the Lord Jesus Christ straight out of Heaven, and that man never looked back. [Acts 9] He did not care who confronted him, whether Jewish or Gentile, because he knew that the Lord Jesus was most definitely the Christ [Messiah]. Paul remembered his past, and the fact that he formerly persecuted Christians even unto death many times, but the Lord Jesus Christ still showed him mercy.
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. (Acts 26:12-15)
This is one of the most awesome passages in the whole Bible. This passage is filled with such hope. Here you have this murderer of Christians being confonted by the LIVING Christ, after Jesus had been murdered himself, and had already ascended into Heaven. If you or I, were God we would have probably NAILED this man Saul [Paul] right then and there for all of the trouble that he brought to the Christians along the way, but that is not what happened at all.
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:16-18)
The Lord told this man Saul [Paul] that he was going to preach his gospel. Paul would be giving his testimony to many people, especially the Gentiles, but also to the Jews. Please do not miss the truth here that God is able to SAVE even murderers and use them for his own glory. That should put a HOPE in the heart of any person, who is wondering if they too might be SAVED!
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. (Acts 26:19-21)
Listen to what Paul said here. Paul was giving his testimony to King Agrippa, and he told him that he did not disobey this vision that he had of Jesus Christ. Then Paul told him that he testified first to those in Damascus, and then to those in Jerusalem, and then Judaea, that people needed to repent and turn to God. The message that Paul was preaching has never changed either. It is the same message for all the people in the world! But what happened next? Paul declared that the Jews went about to kill him. Why? Simply because they did not believe the message that Paul was preaching.
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:22-23)
Here Paul told this same King Agrippa, that he was still preaching the very same message to small and great, and this message was no different then what the PROPHETS and MOSES said should come! Folks, I must say to you that you RARELY hear that being spoken today! Paul suffered much for his preaching simply because he preached the TRUE GOSPEL to ALL and he did not hold back the truth to pacify anybody. Paul knew that any person without Jesus Christ was hellbound, because that is exactly what Jesus himself taught!
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, 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. For 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. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:28-31)
Paul warned his fellow believers about the wolves that were coming, meaning the false teachers that would try to capture the minds and souls of those who followed Christ. Paul told them that he warned them night and day for three years about such things. Folks, the Jewish apostle Paul was a TRUE WATCHMAN, unlike the multitudes of modern-day, self proclaimed watchmen, who prophesy false things!