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Facing Christ in Opposition to The Mission by Pastor Paul Becker

Writer's picture: First Pres BakerstownFirst Pres Bakerstown

“‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’”

Acts 22:10 (NIV) -


In Acts 22, Paul defends himself before a hostile Jewish crowd in Jerusalem. His defense was a testimony that established commonalities between himself and the crowd. Like them, he was Jewish and brought up in Jerusalem. Like them, he had been trained in the Law of God. But unlike the crowd, Paul was taught by Gamaliel, the leading scholar and teacher of Jewish Law. Paul established that he, like them, was zealous for God and had no regard for the followers of Jesus. Paul hated Jesus’ followers so much that he persecuted them with the blessing and authority of the high priest and all the Council.


Paul’s testimony established that he was very much like the hostile crowd, and then, it shifted in a way that enraged them more. Paul described his convicting encounter with Jesus, the loss of his sight, being led to a follower of Jesus named Ananias, who restored Paul’s sight, and being baptized. Upon receiving his sight, Paul went to the temple to pray. He fell into a trance and heard the Lord tell him to leave Jerusalem because the people there would reject Paul’s testimony about Jesus.  Now, here is where Paul’s testimony lit up the crowd. Paul told them that God told him to go far away to the Gentiles. Yes. The idea that God was turning his back on them to favor Gentiles was unthinkable or speaking wrongly about God. The crowd’s anger got hotter and violent. They shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!” 


The Roman Commander, assigned to maintain order in Jerusalem, intervened to take Paul into the military barracks. Wanting to know the reason for Paul’s incitement of the crowd, the Commander ordered his men to inflict pain by flogging him. As the soldiers prepared Paul, he informed them he was a Roman citizen.  As a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to due process under Roman law. The flogging did not happen. The Commander ordered the Jewish chief priests and the Sanhedrin (Supreme Court) to assemble. When all were gathered, Paul was brought to stand before the Jewish leaders.


Like Paul, we may face opposition. It may not be an angry crowd that wants to hurt us, but we can face anger or dismissal from a family member, friend, co-worker, or stranger who resists God. Our opposition may even declare themselves to be Christian but act in a way to bring us public harm for our obedience to the Lord.


Like Paul, we have a testimony to declare. Looking to our opposition, but looking to Christ who saved us from sin, the promise of his presence now and into eternity, we have a testimony to share. The testimony is that we were dead in sin, made alive through faith in Christ, forgiven of sin,  and given a purpose to tell others about salvation through him.


Like Paul, we, as individuals or as a group of Christians, may experience accusations and public threats to be eliminated. But because of Jesus, we have nothing to fear, not even death. So, let us live in total commitment to our God-given purpose to declare Christ and make disciples of all nations. Pray that our church family is fully on board and single-minded in being and making disciples.


It's a great day to live the Gospel!





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First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown

724-443-1555

fpcbgeneral@gmail.com

5825 Heckert Road #127

Bakerstown, PA 15007

Office hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

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