Read the Bible in a Year (22NOV19)

DAILY REMINDER – Today, November 22’s Bible reading is Acts 24-26.

NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, November 23’s Bible reading is Acts 27-28. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.

ACTS MOMENT – (22NOV19) “…King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:7b-8). Paul found himself on trial and having to defend himself against governors and kings. The idea of the Gospel being taken to the Gentiles was only a part of the issue that the Jews had with Paul. The Apostle Paul was on trial for believing and teaching in Jesus having been raised from the dead. This same Jesus whom they had crucified was causing more of a stir with Him being dead, or so they thought, than alive. Therefore, the Jews could not fathom the idea of Paul going about the world teaching about the resurrection of a Man whom they had murdered as being the risen Son of God. 

Paul was placed on trial before Felix, the Roman governor of Judea, who thought he would receive a bribe from Paul, but when he didn’t, he left him in prison to be dealt with by his replacement as governor, Festus. The high priest Ananias and some of the Jewish elders had their attorney Tertullus to bring charges against Paul by saying that he was a ringleader that started trouble everywhere he went. They also accused him of desecrating the temple. Paul, of course, denied the charges and argued that they had no proof as to their claims. In his defense, he stated that the only reason that he was on trial was because of him teaching about a resurrected Savior who wanted him to share the good news with both Jews and Gentiles and call all people to repentance. 

Paul stood before Felix, then Festus, and when asked if he would return to Jerusalem to stand trial, Paul requested to stand before Caesar. Prior to that, Paul spoke before King Agrippa during a visit to Festus who consulted with the king regarding his case. Festus he could not find any charges to submit to Caesar, for he did not see anything that Paul had done wrong deserving of death. Nevertheless, he wanted to have a second opinion because it would have been improper to send a man to Caesar without there being substantive charges against him. King Agrippa listened as Paul spoke, and afterwards, he stated to Festus that Paul could have been released if he had not made an appeal to Caesar. 

 

Paul could have taken the easier road less traveled to preserve his life, but he placed teaching the Gospel over anything that the world had to offer. Paul was an educated man who not only used proper etiquette towards those he stood before, but he allowed the Holy Spirit to guide him in his delivery. Once when speaking to the disciples, Jesus said: “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:9-12). Jesus’ prophecy was coming to past in the lives of His followers and Paul who were speaking in witness about Him. Paul did not value his life over ensuring that the message of Jesus was told to all he encountered.

 

The early church gave up everything to follow Christ. They did not worry about material possessions, popularity, money, friends, or even family when it came to serving the Lord. They became a living sacrifice unto Jesus as many of them endured brutal persecution and martyrdom. They set the standard for the rest of the world, and we as Christians are to live our lives in the same manner. Christians around the world are laying down their lives for Christ. Unlike many of them, the church in the west has enjoyed many religious freedoms and security, but those freedoms will one day be gone. Censorship of speech, the LGBTQ attacks on Christian establishments, pastors being warned against counseling the sexually confused, and so much more is taking place to let us know that our religious liberty in the west is fleeting away. 

 

When we turn on the news, we see kangaroo courts in operation on various stations. Believers who have spiritual discernment know that this is setting the stage for Christians to be taken before similar courts for the mere accusation of hate speech. There is a lack of tolerance in the U.S. towards anyone who does not have a liberal mindset. The wicked will bring false charges against anyone who does not comply with their diabolical agendas. Nevertheless, we must prepare to lose our complacency in the church and understand the times in which we live. Things are not going to get better, and there is no political solution for a sin problem regardless of who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. We too may someday have to stand before court systems in defense of our faith. Nevertheless, should that day come, the Holy Spirit will give us what to say, for as Jesus said, it will be Him speaking and not ourselves. Something to ponder….