Archive for the ‘Bible’ Category
Unexpected Passage: Lynch mobs, assassins and Roman justice
Unexpected Passage: Lynch mobs, assassins and Roman justice
Today’s reading: Acts 26 - Article taken from www.biblegateway.com
Acts 26:22 ”But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.”
The last few chapters of Acts show Paul at his most fearless. He confronts a lynch mob with such boldness that Roman soldiers have to drag him into their barracks for his own protection. The next day he takes on the Jewish ruling body, the Sanhedrin, causing such a ruckus that the Roman commander fears they will tear Paul in pieces. Then 40 religious fanatics take a vow to kill him.
In the midst of all this turmoil, Paul gets a comforting vision from the Lord, who says, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11). That is all the encouragement Paul needs.
The Prisoner Speaks
After being smuggled out of town under heavy guard and the cover of darkness, Paul arrives at last in the palace of the Roman governor. His troubles are far from over. After hearing Paul’s defense, Felix sends him to prison for two years as a political favor to the religious authorities. Even that does not quiet the furor. The moment a new governor, Festus, arrives, Jewish leaders hatch yet another death plot against Paul.
Acts records 18 speeches, the last three of which were delivered to a very select audience. Roman officials, intrigued by the most talked-about prisoner in their corner of the empire, bring Paul to perform, like a trained bear. This chapter records Paul’s riveting performance before the most distinguished judge, King Herod Agrippa.
The result? Paul finally realizes his dream of visiting Rome-not via a missionary journey, but in a Roman ship as a prisoner of the empire.
Life Question
Have you ever faced opposition because of your faith? What can you learn from Paul’s response?
Foundations: Five Marks of the Christian Worldview
As part of the Foundations of the Christian Mind Series, T M Stafford of RU Institute, presents that foundational building blocks of the Christian Worldvview in this short presentation and tries to give some context to the kinds of issues that each represents in the thinking and believing life of the Christian. Let us know what you think!
“If God exists, why doesn’t He speak for Himself, audibly?”
When He spoke on the Mount of Transfiguration, He terrified the disciples (see Matt. 17:5,6). When He once spoke audibly to Jesus, the people thought that they heard thunder (see John 12:28,29). So why didn’t God just whisper on these occasions? Perhaps He did.
However, God (in His infinite wisdom) has chosen what the Bible calls “the foolishness of the mes- sage preached” to bring the gospel to humanity (see 1 Cor. 1:21). He has condescended to use lowly man to deliver the message of everlasting life to dying humanity.
When it comes to God speaking to us, it is important to make sure that we don’t exaggerate our im- portance. We are but very tiny specks on a tiny speck of a planet, moving through the massive infinitude of space. If you want a special audience with the President, he likely will not come running to speak es- pecially to you when, how, and where you want. Only a person with delusions of grandeur indeed would expect such treatment.
How much more so with the Creator of the universe? You are not going to get a special audience with God. So humble yourself, repent of your sins, and trust the Savior, then seek God through prayer and reading of His Word. Prayer is you speaking to God, and the Bible is God speaking to you. Make sure you listen carefully to what He says. Your eternity depends on it.
Hebrews 12:25 "See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven..."
