Testimonies

Steven’s Scribbles
“Testimonies” 
Acts 22 - 26


    At our men’s fellowship meal last week, our brother Brad Baugh gave a wonderful devotional about “examples.” He used different characters in Scripture to teach us how we can use our example in multiple ways. We had a fervent discussion afterwards about a few of those different types of examples. One that I’ve been thinking about lately is Paul and his defense of the Scriptures. We have to remember that when Paul is speaking in Acts 22-26 he is not only defending the Gospel, but he is also making a personal defense for his life in teaching the Gospel. The primary thing he is doing is being a defendant in what would be equal to a modern day court hearing, but while doing so he teaches and defends the Gospel of Christ. While teaching the Jewish council, Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, he brings up his past. His past works as a defense and testimony. He does not revel in the sins of the old man, nor does he deny them. He uses the events, prior to his conversion, as a testimony of how he was wrong, but became right. His testimony of “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” is not something that one would boast in. However, he points out that he was just being a good Jew, as many of them were good Jews. He uses that to tell them how he repented of those erroneous ways, and by implication he tells them they need to do the same. When we are speaking with non-believers, we shouldn’t glory in the sins of our old selves. Rather, we should use them to talk about the change that Christ has brought about in our lives. I hope this gives you courage as you face your future opportunities. I love you all!


In His service,
Steven Hugley