Acts 26:16-18 English Standard Version

¹⁶ But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, ¹⁷ delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you ¹⁸ to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

This witness is about Jesus speaking to Saul, who becomes Paul. He had met Jesus on the road to Damascus. We all know the story. We have read it many times. Getting around to this point in Paul’s testimony to King Agrippa has taken up four chapters of the book of Acts.

At the beginning of chapter 26 Paul is given the chance to defend himself against his accusers. His situation is one in which he has been passed from Felix to Festus to Agrippa all the while in chains.

Finally we come to the point of this telling tale.

What do we tell people when they ask a difficult question?

“How do I put my faith in Christ?”

Listen to what Paul began with in his defense of his faith.

⁴ “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. ⁵ They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.”

The testimony of how faith is placed in Christ starts with what we were and what we believed that was wrong to begin with. It is a confession of condition, being wrong.

The truth cannot be heard until we come to this understanding; we were wrong.

Hebrews 11:8 English Standard Version (ESV) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Abraham is credited with being the father of our faith. Here is the first and most important issue of faith for someone who has just heard the gospel message of hope.

They believe they are called but have no idea where they are going nor what is to become of them.

We who have “been there done that” should recognize that even with all our experiences, we do not know what is in store for them. We should not tell them anything more than the truth.

In taking this chance of placing their faith in Christ, the Comforter will come and tell them the truth.

Philippians 4:6 English Standard Version (ESV) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

There will always be a certain amount of anxiety in new believers. We should remember that as we disciple the new born babes in Christ. We should relieve their anxiety with our training plans.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 English Standard Version

⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

That which is good for the individual should be good for everyone. Grace is a universal donor, good for all blood types.

The blood of Christ is from the Universal donor.