The apostle admonishes his brethren: “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.” Could ministers of the gospel constantly bear in mind that they are dealing with the purchase of the blood of Christ, they would have a deeper sense of the solemn importance of their work. They are to take heed unto themselves and to the flock. Their own example must illustrate and enforce their instructions. Those who teach others the way of life should be careful to give no occasion for the truth to be evil spoken of. As representatives of Christ, they are to maintain the honor of his name. By their devotion, their purity of life, their godly conversation, they should prove themselves worthy of their calling. By a right example they may exert an influence which words alone could not have, to encourage faith and holiness, fervent love, devotion, and integrity among those for whom they labor. God requires of all his servants fearlessness in preaching the word, fidelity in exemplifying its precepts, however it may be despised, reviled, opposed, or persecuted. Every faithful teacher of the truth will at the close of his labors be able to say with Paul, “I am pure from the blood of all men.” {LP 200.2}

Apostlen formaner sine brødre: "Så giv da agt på jer selv og på hele den hjord, i hvilken Helligånden satte jer som tilsynsmænd, for at I skal vogte Guds kirke, som han købte sig med sit eget blod." Ville evangeletiets forkyndertjenere hele tiden have på sinde at de har med Kristi blod indkøbte ejendom at gøre, ville de have en dybere fornemmelse for deres arbejdets alvorlige betydning. De skal give agt på sig selv og på hjorden. Deres eget eksempel må illustrere og gennemtføre deres instrukser. Dem som underviser andre i livets vej må passe meget på at der ikke er lejlighed til at tale ondt om sandheden. Som Kristi repræstentanter, skal de fastholde hans navns ære. Ved deres helligelse, deres livs renhed, deres gudfrygtige omgang, bør de vise sig deres kald værdig. Ved et rigtigt eksempel kan de udøve en indflydelse, som ord alene ikke kan få, der opmuntrer tro og hellighed, brændende kærlighed, helligelse og renhed iblandt dem som de arbejder for. Gud forlanger at hans tjenere prædker ordet frygtløst, nøje flid med at eksemplificere dens forskrifter, uanset hvor meget de foragtes, forhånes modsættes eller forfølges. Enhver trofast lærer af sandheden vil til sidst kunne se samme sammen Paulus: "Jeg er ren for alle menneskers blod."