“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” Acts 22:1
The people had rose up against Paul’s preaching in Jerusalem. A riot was in the forming. The officials grabbed Paul to take him in. As they were holding him, Paul asks to speak to the crowd. Read the verses now through verse 21. Paul gives his defense.
Paul’s defense was not against the people. He starts out telling who he had been at one time. Paul had been very zealous for following the Law and upholding those ways and traditions. He fought against Jesus and every believer, believing he was fighting for God, not against God.
He then tells his story of how Jesus got a hold of his attention. At that point Paul learned that he was to be a witness to the Gentiles. This is what the people did not like and had him captured for.
People often get nervous or scared when having to defend the belief in Jesus. They fear saying the wrong thing, or not sounding very smart. Many do not believe they know enough to defend their belief. They feel they do not know the Bible well enough. Jesus had once said that you are not to worry about that, but that the Holy Spirit would give you the words to speak when the time came.
Yes, there are some people who can quote every Bible verse and break down their theological beliefs very well. Most people cannot do that.
The one thing every person can do is tell what Jesus has done for them. Tell why you believe in Jesus. Tell why you started to follow Jesus. Tell what Jesus wants you to do.
Every believer can also tell what Jesus has done for every person on this earth. Tell the people about how He died on the cross for them and rose from the dead. Tell how Jesus will return some day.
These things do not take a Bible college degree or ministerial license to tell. You do not have to be an attorney to defend your belief. They can be told in normal everyday words and experiences.
Are you defending your faith today? How are you defending your faith today? Tell your story.
I pray today that Jesus will give you the boldness to tell your story to others; that you will not fear defending what you believe; that you will not keep your story silent; and that Jesus will draw many to Himself through your story.
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