The most informative, moving, and inspirational text involving a gospel preacher and elders in the Lord’s church is found in Acts chapter 20. For one final time, the apostle Paul met face to face with the shepherds of the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:25, 36-38). Beginning around verse 17, Paul gives these leaders some vital reminders, instructions, and exhortations in regards to his and their work.

One essential aspect of gospel preaching that Paul gives particular emphasis to is its comprehensiveness. Notice especially verses 20 and 27. First he mentions “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20). Finally, he says, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

Something I fear that is missing from far too many pulpits today is men of God who will stand up and boldly proclaim the whole counsel of God. Every evangelist’s charge comes from on high, and that is to: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2). Every teacher of God’s Word is solemnly warned that “we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). Each of us would do well to give that passage our careful consideration. Perhaps too many preachers and churches today have forgotten what Paul said to Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim. 4:16). It matters a great deal what we teach and what we practice.

Why Proclaim the Whole Counsel of God?

So why should we proclaim the whole counsel of God? First of all, because all of God’s Word is truth (Psa. 119:160; John 17:17), and only the truth will set men free from their sins (John 8:31-36). Secondly, all Scripture is profitable to us (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Proclaiming the whole counsel of God “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Thirdly, disciples of Christ are to be taught to “observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20). Fourth, when the whole counsel of God is proclaimed it helps the local church to grow and mature in the faith of Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:11-13; Heb. 5:12-14; 2 Pet. 3:18). Fifth, it helps protect saints from sin and error (Eph. 4:14; Col. 2:1-10). And sixth, men must do the will of God to go to heaven (Matt. 7:21-23; Rev. 22:14).

Portions of God’s Counsel Some Shun to Declare

Paul said to the Ephesian elders: “I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). The Greek word for “shunned” is defined by Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary to mean: “to withhold under (out of sight), that is to cover or shrink, to conceal (reserve)—draw (keep) back” (p. 74).

What are some areas of God’s will that some preachers shun to declare? Some avoid teaching on the one true Church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4; 1:22-23), the sin of gambling (Luke 12:15; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 6:8-11), the sin of immodest clothing (1 Tim. 2:9-10), the sin of dancing (Gal. 5:19), the sin of social drinking (1 Peter 4:3), marriage, divorce, and remarriage (Matt. 19:9), identifying false teachers (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 2:17-18), the sin of fellowshipping those in error (2 John 9-11), and the necessity of practicing withdrawal in the local church (2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15).

Why Do Some Shun to Declare the Whole Counsel of God?

So what are the motives, excuses, and reasons why some preachers shrink from proclaiming the whole counsel of God? (1) A fear of offending their audience (Matt. 15:12; John 6:61). Preaching too specifically on immodesty, the one true church, or marriage and divorce may offend some who are present. There is a fear of men in their hearts, when there ought to be a fear of God that rules supreme (Matt. 21:26; 10:28). (2) Perhaps they have not addressed and resolved certain sins in their own life (Matt. 7:1-5; Rom. 2:21-24). (3) It is not popular to condemn various sins, such as dancing and social drinking. Such preachers seek to please men, rather than God (Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:4). (4) Certain Bible subjects are viewed as being too negative, such as church discipline, unscriptural marriages, error and false teachers, and the subject of fellowship (2 Tim. 4:3-4). (5) Some refuse to abandon close friendships and associations (Rom. 16:17; 2 John 9-11; Gal. 2:9). Sadly, they love the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43). (6) Some are simply ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16) – not all of the gospel, but certain aspects of it (Mark 8:38). They lack the courage and boldness that is necessary and required of every preacher of the gospel (Acts 18:9-10; 2 Cor. 11:21; Eph. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:14; 1 Thess. 2:2). We do well to remember Paul’s words to the younger evangelist Timothy: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:7-8).

“Kept Back Nothing That Was Helpful”

Paul said to these overseers: “I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20). Some preachers (and other brethren) have made their own judgments as to what kind of preaching they think is helpful and what things are not. For some, even the very teaching Paul gave in this chapter would not be deemed by them as helpful. He instructed these elders: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock … for I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears” (Acts 20:28-31).

The sad, foolish plea of some brethren today is, “Don’t warn me!” Paul declared, “I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” Why? Because Paul kept back nothing that was helpful to this church in Ephesus, but proclaimed it! A preacher’s grave responsibility is to warn everyone (Col. 1:28). We must sound the warning: (1) against sin – its deceitfulness, destructiveness, and deadliness (Heb. 3:12-13; Rom. 6:23); (2) in regards to error without and within the church (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Pet. 2:1-2); (3) in regards to apostasy (1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:1-5); and (4) regarding the judgment to come (Acts 17:30-31; 24:25; 2 Cor. 5:10-11).

Let’s be very clear on this matter. Preaching the Word of God is always helpful (Acts 20:32; 2 Tim. 4:2)! Instead of wasting our time discussing what is “positive” preaching and what is “negative” preaching, let us all acknowledge and embrace that preaching any and all of God’s divine will is positive. Brethren, let us unashamedly preach the whole counsel of God “publicly and from house to house!”

Conclusion

It can be said of far too many preachers in the Lord’s church today: “Well, I don’t know of any error that he teaches, but there are certain Bible subjects and issues that he never preaches on, at least specifically with any application made.” Does that describe you or me? I certainly hope not! Paul could say, “I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27). Can you, in all sincerity of heart, make the same declaration? Are you innocent of the blood of men because you have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God? Or is there blood on your hands from a failure to “preach the word” as you ought (Ezek. 3:16-21; 2 Tim. 4:2)? If you refuse to study, teach, and practice the whole counsel of God, then please repent, or do us all a favor and find some other work to do (2 Tim. 4:5). The Lord is seeking for godly men who will “stand in the gap” (Ezek. 22:30), preach the word in season and out (2 Tim. 4:2), and “watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13). “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” that you both desire and demand the proclaiming of the whole counsel of God!

jafopie@hotmail.com. Jesse Flowers has preached for the Pruett and Lobit church of Christ in Baytown, TX, for the past six years.