It is critical to defend ourselves from verbal abuse and to callout the abusers. Imprisoned for more than two years for preaching the Gospel, Paul in Acts 26 boldly defends Jesus and the faith. A close reading of Act 26 provides a four-step blueprint, not only to witnessing and defending our faith in Jesus but also for causes that we believe in.
Talk About Your Present State
1
In Acts 26: 4-8 Paul reviews his current situation. He reminds King Agrippa and the assembly of his unquestioned Jewish heritage, God’s Covenant with Abraham and that he is being imprisoned for believing in and preaching about the promised messiah Jesus who has been risen from the dead.
Talk About Your Previous State
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Witnessing requires a full accounting of our actions. In Acts 26:9-11, Paul in chilling details recounts his murderous persecution of Christians.
3 Talk About How You Came To Jesus
Paul in Acts 26:12-23 discloses his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road. It’s alright that our conversion story is not like Paul’s, but it is equally as important and we should tell it.
Invite Them To Know Jesus
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In what would be considered as a bold move Paul In Acts 26:27 invites King Agrippa to Christ. The point of our witnessing is to invite people to Jesus. Our witnessing and invitation are not bold moves. Instead, they are opportunities to change lives. If the person does not come to Christ as was the case with the King. Acts 26:30-31 illustrates the invitation caused him to think which can be a catalyst to the acceptance of a future invitation.
Holy Communion
The Call to Communion to be made by the Minister You that do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbor, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways, draw near in your seats with faith and take the holy sacrament to your comfort, and make your humble confession to Almighty God.
The General Confession to be made by the Minister and people Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all people ,we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness which we from time to time most grievously have committed by thought, word, and deed against your divine majesty, provoking most justly your wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful God for your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake; forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
During July and August, Greater Bethel will launch a new in person Bible study on Wednesday nights at 6:00 PM. In addition to a tasty potluck dinner our study from the Bible Study book “The Forge” available for $17.99 on Amazon.
