SCRIP-BITS

HAPPY  4TH OF  JULY  U.S.A

Acts 28:15    And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

 Oh Friends, the partying will be plentiful in the ole U.S.of A. today. But let’s not forget the original cause for all that celebration; freedom from a colonial yoke. That appealing but dangerous idea of freedom, of independence, which drives men to do unbelievable acts of courage and bravery to acquire it. The Founding Fathers were fleeing religious persecution and the right to worship as they pleased, just like Bruh Paul fought for it in his time. We stopped yesterday when Festus replaced Felix. For two years Bruh Paul was held in limbo; out on bail, with a centurion supervisor. And the rigmarole continued under Festus, who went up to Jerusalem three days later where the Jewish elders took up the issue again, wanting him to bring Bruh Paul to Jerusalem, ostensibly to accuse him, but secretly planning to way-lay him en route. Festus refused though, telling them to come to Caesarea if they wanted to accuse Bruh Paul. After almost two weeks in Jerusalem, Festus returned to Caesarea, and heard Bruh Paul’s case the next day. The Good Book says; ‘the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.’ (Acts 25:7) They were so hungry for his head that they were willing to lay charges without any proof. And as expected, Bruh Paul stood strong in his innocence, replying; ‘Neither against the law of the Jews, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended anything at all.’ (Acts 25:8) But smart-man Festus, wishing to curry favour with the Jews, asked Bruh Paul if he was willing to transfer the case to Jerusalem. Bruh Paul wasn’t stupid, he knew his goose would certainly be cooked if he ventured back to Jerusalem. He answered Festus: ‘I stand at Caesar’s judgement seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.’ (Acts 25:10-11) Strong words my Friends, again showing Bruh Paul’s courage and conviction. If you spoke to a judge like that today, you’d be found guilty of contempt. Note how he says if he’s worthy of death, ‘I refuse not to die.’ Only someone with Bruh Paul’s strong faith could use such confident language under those life-determining circumstances. And then, knowing the law, he appeals to Caesar. Education my Friends, education; it will set you free. Festus, after conferring with the council, haughtily declared; ‘Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shall thou go.’ (Acts 25:12) But the merry go round wasn’t over, for some time later, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice, with whom he reputedly had an incestuous relationship, came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus, who eventually told them of Bruh Paul’s case. King Agrippa seemed intrigued by it and decided to hear the case. So the next day, with full pomp and pageantry Bruh Paul was brought before the king. Festus made the opening remarks, stating that in his opinion there was no evidence of a crime worthy of death, but since Bruh Paul had appealed to Caesar, he determined to send him to Rome, though he needed some charges to lay against him; ‘For it seemeth unreasonable to me to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.’ (Acts 25:27) Then Agrippa gave Bruh Paul the floor. And did he take it! First claiming he was happy to be before Agrippa, ‘especially because I know thee to be an expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews.’ (Acts 26:3) The kings were locally based and had more interaction with the various peoples under their rule than the Roman officials. Bruh Paul then explains to Agrippa that he was a Pharisee, the strictest sect of the Jewish religion. ‘And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers. Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?’ (Acts 26:6-8) Why indeed my people? It’s one of the basic tenets of our faith. Then Bruh Paul goes on to explain his persecution of the early Church and his subsequent conversion on the road to Damascus. ‘I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.’ (Acts 26:19-23) Oh Friends can’t you just imagine Bruh Paul at his oratorical best, speaking the Word and glorifying God? So good too that Festus loudly interrupted: ‘Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.’ (reason) (Acts 26:24-25) Then in gung ho mode, he claims that the king knew all about it for it was done openly, and asks, ‘King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.’ (Acts 26:27-29) Oh my Friends, such a wonderful testimony! It almost made Agrippa a convert. We all can’t be such great orators with such great testimony, but there are ways in which we can show our strong faith and tell what testimony we have. It’s all a matter of having that faith so deeply ingrained and entrenched in our hearts, minds and souls, that nothing or no one can displace it. A faith so strong that we’d be bold and brave enough to use any forum to spread it, proudly acknowledging Christ as our Lord and Saviour. And after such a moving testimony, they obviously found Bruh Paul not guilty. ‘This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.’ (Acts 26:31-32) But Friends, our God is not stupid. He knew that if Bruh Paul was set free anywhere in that area the Jews would have found a way to kill him. The best way to keep him safe was in Roman hands. In any case He had much more glorifying of His name for Bruh Paul to do. Oh Friends, we’re not all meant to be martyrs, but certainly to be courageous and stand up for our beliefs. Let’s use Bruh Paul’s exceptional witness and courage as a guide for our own walk with Christ. It can only mature and strengthen our faith. Much LOVE!…examples speak much louder than mere words…