Courage to Witness: Paul

Witness to the Religious Establishment and the kings of the earth.

Paul must witness at Jerusalem (to the Religious Establishment) and to the Roman Government (the kings of the earth). The Jews (Synagogue of Satan) conspire under solemn oath to kill Paul (a plot!). Tertullus, hired by and representing the Religious Establishment, acknowledges to the governor the many benefits provided to them by the Roman government which they have enjoyed! Tertullus then falsely accuses Paul of working to help foment a political revolution or insurrection against the government. We note the bond and agreement of cooperation between the Religious Establishment and the world government system. (Does any of this look familiar in our current time?)

Paul speaks to the Roman governor about sin, righteousness, the judgment to come, and faith in Christ Jesus. Felix becomes frightened as he is convicted of his sin. To Agrippa the Jewish king, he boldly and humbly declares what Jesus said, what God has commanded men to do and how prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus.

“Take courage;

for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.” Acts23:11

Courage to Witness: Stephen

Witness to the Religious Establishment

The Religious Establishment wanted Stephen to shut up! They did not want to hear God’s Word or Truth. They could not stand the wisdom and Spirit with which he was speaking. They stirred up the people, elders and scribes against him; they came and seized him and brought him before the council. Stephen was required to give an account to them. They saw that he was full of the Holy Spirit as he preached God’s Word! He declared what God has said, and what He did. Remember, he was preaching to the religious establishment: to professed believers in God- not professed atheists. These professed God, yet they were not born from above. They were not at all regenerate nor in the Kingdom; they were not circumcised in heart. He told them the truth regarding their unbelief, sin and disobedience! He accused them of resisting the Holy Spirit and persecuting and killing God’s people whom they had betrayed and murdered. The religious leaders were enraged! Stephen continued to honor and glorify Christ! The only way they could shut him up was to kill him, but Stephen was faithful to Jesus until the end.

“You men who are stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who had previously announced the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become…”Acts7:51-52

Courage to Witness: Peter and John

The Religious Establishment wanted the apostles to shut up! But having beheld the resurrected Christ and also receiving the power of the Holy Spirit, they could not do anything other than proclaim Christ with confidence and courage!

Witness to the Religious Establishment and Rulers

And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.” Acts4:18-20

And when they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. and the high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts5:27-32

Courage to Witness: Jesus

Jesus, our King, Lord, Master, Savior, brother and friend. He IS The Faithful Witness. His very presence is with us and His courage, strength and power He gives to us. As Jesus bravely bore witness to the truth before the earthly ‘powers that be’, He lovingly demonstrated to us the exact way many of us must also be His witnesses, down through the centuries, and to the very end.

Witness to the Religious Establishment

And the high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You make no answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But He kept silent, and made no answer. Again that high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Mark14:60-62

Witness to Kings and Rulers

Pilate therefore said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John18:37-38