Feed the Flock

The apostle Peter, in carrying out the instruction of the Master, gave the following counsel to his associate ministers: “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”1 Peter 5:1-4.COOD 27.1

Paul, in his farewell personal testimony to the elders of the Ephesian church, who met him at Miletus, said: “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. For I know this that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20:28, 29. So confident was the apostle that his life labors had been not of himself, but of Christ dwelling within him, that he could commend his life as a sample of labor, saying, “Be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for and ensample.” Philippians 3:17.COOD 27.2