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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In our recent studies in Acts 22 this matter of being 'born again' arises, as Paul gives his testimony. It is crucially and vitally important. Jesus Christ said that a man must be 'born again' and as we see in the book of Acts that involves, Repenting, Believing in Jesus Christ, Being Baptised in water, and receiving the Holy Spirit. This is how we come into the Church of Jesus Christ. I know of no other way - do you?
Let us not give people only part of the Gospel, because that will only have them struggling for years, in areas of their lives where there is no need to struggle.
Verse 30. The Roman Commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews. Arrangements are made to put Paul on trial before the Sanhedrin - which was made up of 70 top Jewish lawyers - and the Knesset today - the Parliament in Jerusalem - is modelled on the Sanhedrin.
Paul was for ever getting into trouble. Have you noticed that? Yet, he did not deliberately set out to annoy people or provoke people, or rub them up the wrong way. It was just as they listened to him, something else happened. People were convicted of their sin. They became upset, and sometimes they did not know why.
They did know that they did not have what Paul had. That can upset and disturb and anger and distress a man. There are times when people's sin is touched - when their sin is challenged. The Holy Spirit is convicting their hearts.
Not once did Jesus ever rebuke Paul for what he preached and taught - or where he went - or how he ministered. It was NOT Paul who was wrong. It was NOT Jesus Who was wrong - but the world!
It was not the type of person Paul was that got him into so much trouble, but the kind of world in which he lived - a world that was living in rebellion to the righteous rule of Jesus Christ the King.
Might this just help you in your work and ministry? We continue to live and testify and serve in a world which rebels against the righteous rule of our holy gracious merciful loving God, and we have to understand the significance of this truth which at times has painful consequences as well as God's richest blessing.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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