I’ve never truly faced persecution
Never been in prison waiting execution
Can’t say I’ve ever been tested for my faith.
I’ve never been on trial facing prosecution
Never forced to speak with elocution,
At the point of a gun... for my true faith.
These are the words of a rhyme I wrote confessing that it is easier to CLAIM faithfulness than to stand for faith when the trial begins.
I wrote this rhyme before the events of the Columbine High School shooting. Though I doubt the exact events will be known on this side of Heaven, clearly Rachel Joy Scott was killed because of her faith in Christ. How the tragedy played out is a topic for debate, but powerful versions of the story have been told in various media including the Pure Flix Entertainment film I'm Not Ashamed.
Down through history, Christians have been required to take a stand and take the stand because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The most influential person to go to trial for his faith was the apostle Paul. How did Paul get to the events of our story in Acts 23?
- Paul was completing his third missionary journey. Acts 20-21
- Paul desired to go back to Jerusalem and share with the Jewish Christians the amazing work that God was doing among Gentiles.
- Agabus prophesied that Paul would be bound and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles when he returned to Jerusalem.
- Paul declared he was willing to be imprisoned and even die, if necessary, for the Gospel.
- Paul met with the Apostles in Jerusalem and confirmed the authenticity of the Gentiles' faith.
- Upon visiting the temple, Paul was falsely accused and beaten by Jews opposing him.
- Roman soldiers rescued Paul giving him the opportunity to speak to the people.
- Paul told his testimony to the crowd, the story of his salvation and what God was doing in his life. Acts 22
- When Paul confessed that God sent him to preach to the Gentiles, the Jewish crowd rioted.
- The Roman commander that rescued Paul wanted to understand what was causing such an uproar so he ordered the Jewish leaders to meet and hear Paul out.
Even Paul's opening statement was met with opposition!
Have you ever tried to witness for Christ or speak up for something right only to be immediately shut down? Were you discouraged and didn't go any farther, or did you fight through the opposition?
Read Acts 23:6-10
How did Paul successfully turn the topic of discussion to what he wanted to talk about?
What are some ways that you can create opportunities to witness to your friends by turning the topic of discussion?
Paul knew that "resurrection" was a hot topic of debate between the Pharisees and Sadducees. What does the "hope of the resurrection of the dead" mean to believers? Why is resurrection fundamental to the Christian faith?
Read Acts 23:11
This appearance of Jesus to Paul is easy to forget, but it must have been an amazing comfort to Paul because he understood that his life was about to change dramatically.
When we take a stand for Jesus, he also stands with us as described in this verse.
Read Acts 23:12-24
When we are part of God's plan, we do not need to worry about whether it could fall apart. The Lord told Paul what was ahead for him and then it was in the Lord's hands to make sure nothing prevented it from happening.
By contrast, what did the 40+ Jews swear to do? Swearing an oath (as done in Biblical times or as a disrespectful expression in modern times) is offensive to God because it puts people in the place of God. The conspirators swore not to eat until Paul was killed (something that didn't happen for at least two more years). They must have been really hungry waiting to kill Paul while he was in house arrest in Rome.
Bottomline:
God will give us opportunities to stand up for him.
We will face opposition.
Within God's plan, everything will come to pass because God never fails
There is no guarantee that God's plan will lead to ease and comfort for us as believers.
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