I’ve Got A Testimony
In the Presidential debate this past week, the candidates were presented with an opportunity to plead their case before the American people. One candidate made it all about himself, and even pushed the truth of his past aside, in his pursuit of victory. In Acts 26:1-11, Paul was granted an audience with king Agrippa to plead his case against the accusations made by Jews who wanted him imprisoned and put to death. Ironically, Paul used his opportunity before king Agrippa not to save himself from prison, but to try to help save those in his audience from the prison of their sins. He shared the truth of the gospel with them because he was less concerned about his life than the eternal life of those who were listening. I pray that when God presents the opportunity for you to help someone searching for how to move their life in the right direction, or someone who has given up hope that their life has meaning, that you will share the good news with them. And that in the process, you will use your testimony to help them know that they too can receive the loving acceptance, hope and salvation of God through faith in Jesus. Amen
Listen here to Rev. Clay Evans & AARC Mass Choir “I have a Testimony”
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. (Acts 26:1-3) Paul began his trial defense before king Agrippa. King Agrippa was a descendant from the same Herod family lineage that had sought to kill baby Jesus, beheaded John the Baptist and killed the apostle James. There was very little chance that Paul would be successful in pleading his case. Yet, Paul proceeded to present his defense to Agrippa. This was also a partial fulfillment of the Lord’s pronouncement that Paul would be a chosen vessel to proclaim the gospel before kings (Acts 9:15).
“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? (Acts 26:4-8) Paul recounted his Jewish history and his devout and faithful religious observance, in support of his conviction that Jesus is in fact the Messiah that God had promised Israel. Paul said that Jesus is the fulfillment of the hope that God promised to Israel and that they hoped to see. But Paul said that it was because of his belief in Jesus as the promised hope that he had been accused by Jews. He asked Agrippa, given his knowledge of “Jewish customs and controversies”, and others in the audience whether they should consider it incredible that God has the power and ability to raise anyone from the dead.
“I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities. (Acts 26:9-11) Paul testified as to his own initial unbelief in Jesus and his zeal in traveling from city to city persecuting Christians, even to death. Paul further admitted to his attempts to force believers into blasphemy (speaking sacrilegiously about God). He did all of this on the authority of the chief priests. Paul’s point to Agrippa was that given his religious training at the highest levels and his zealous persecution of Christians in the past, to now be a staunch advocate of Christ spoke to his conviction that the Messiah promised by God is Jesus.
Was there a time when you didn’t believe in Jesus as your Lord and your Savior? To win people for Christ, it’s important to share your testimony for them. Paul’s chances of being acquitted by king Agrippa were very slim, given Agrippa’s family history of opposing God. But Paul had a higher mission than his personal acquittal. Paul was grateful for an audience with Agrippa and other officials, so that he could share the gospel. Paul’s presentation before Agrippa was his personal testimony of his past and his belief that Jesus was the hope that God promised His people that would bless all people. Your personal testimony about your belief in Christ should likewise include an admission of what you were before you surrendered to Christ. There are people who will look at you now and wonder what you could possibly know about any estrangement from God that they are experiencing. By sharing the testimony of your past and how you found loving acceptance and hope in Jesus, you can help someone know that they too can receive that blessing. You don’t have to be a preacher or evangelist or missionary to share the good news of Jesus with someone. Just start with what you already have, it’s your personal story of how you came to know and believe in Jesus. It has the power to give hope to people and help change their lives. You’ve got a testimony…. let God use you to tell it those who need to hear it and be saved!
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
