“For it doesn’t seem reasonable to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!” -Agrippa. Acts 25:27.
The background to this Bible passage was about Paul, who, after undertaking missionary trips, returned to Jerusalem to give a report. Some of his converts were non-Jews, which angered the Jews. When he went to the synagogue, they stirred up trouble against him. Forty people swore they would not eat or drink until Paul was killed. His nephew got wind of it and told the leaders, and the prosecution started. Their lawyer, Tertullus (I almost wrote SAN, Senior Advocate of Nigeria; maybe it should be SAI, Senior Advocate of Israel), had two main points against Paul – “For we have found him to be a troublemaker, a man who is constantly inciting the Jews throughout the word to riots and rebellion against the Roman government…, and the leader of a sect. Acts 24:5.
He was tried by Felix, who kept him in prison for two years, expecting a bribe which Paul refused to give. He was handed over to Festus, who wanted to send him to Jerusalem to be tried. Paul said, “I appeal to Caesar, the emperor.” When King Agrippa came with his sister Bernice, Festus told them about Paul. He said that the accusation against Paul was that he “But the accusations made against him weren’t any of the crimes I expected. 19 Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive. “ Acts 25:18-19. It was in this context that Festus quoted the Bible reference above: What will I write to the emperor that Paul has done!
The summary of all accusations against Paul was that he believed that Jesus died, resurrected, and that this is the hope of the human race, and he will not stop propagating the gospel.
This is the general pattern of accusations against our spiritual forefathers – Jesus, Stephen, Peter, Paul – all of them were accused of lifting up the name of Jesus!
The Holy Spirit is asking you and me today, what are we accused of? Since all of us will be accused of something!
Satan is the unrepentant accuser of the brethren, but what is he accusing you of?
Man/Woman of God, Pastor, Evang, Prophet/Prophetess GO, Bishop, Apostle, Elder, ChoirMaster/Mistress, is that what you are accused of? Or is it that you sleep with church members, fail to render church accounts, spend the church’s money as if it’s your personal money, engage in voodoo, cultism, or arrange fake miracles?
Brother and sister, is it that you are accused of being arrogant and proud in your workplace? Is it that you stole in that office, or colluded with unbelievers in your office to defraud your organization? As a civil servant, are you accused of preaching without season in that office, making the lame to work or opening the eyes of the blind, or that no file can leave your table until you have taken a bribe?
As a Christian Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, Governor, member of State house of assembly, political office holder, what are you accused of? Sponsoring a bill to help your community, using your constituent revenue to develop the community, or embezzling your constituent fund to build personal mansions, purchase luxurious cars, when your community has no access to even borehole water?
My dear Christian banker, are you being accused of transferring depositors’ money to your private accounts and those of your family members? Or do you advise them on how to invest their money in high-yielding portfolios in your bank?
My dear papa or mama in the market, are you always accused of cursing, using false weighing measures to make unreasonable gains, and yet swearing, “God knows I am telling the truth,” when you know you are telling lies? Let them accuse you that no customer passes through your stall without hearing about Jesus.
Young Christian, are you being accused of cheating to pass exams, committing fornication, having an abortion, committing internet fraud, jilting your long-dated would-be spouse, selling your body to get that juicy job or secure that promotion, or standing on the incorruptible word of God to lead young people like you to Christ in your school and environment?
Christian Mr/Mrs, Professor, or lecturer, what are you accused of in that tertiary institution? Preaching Christ to your JJC or JAMBITE, or demanding sex before they can pass your paper/course? Or are you seizing these opportunities to steer those hearts towards Christ?
On the domestic level, are you being accused by your spouse of adultery, child abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, being an absentee parent, being a non-provider parent, a parent that has no time for morning/evening devotion, or a parent that has no time to take his children to church?
Conclusion: Agrippa said, “I don’t know what wrong I can accuse Paul of and write to the emperor!” Wow! You are the Paul of our generation. You are representing Jesus in that office, church, home, police force, military office. Let them accuse you of promoting Jesus, not demoting him! Let them find it difficult to write something negative about you. Let them accuse you of being a Christian who will not abuse, misuse, or corrupt his/her position and power. Let them accuse you that the whole city of Toronto, Los Angeles, Bogotá, Ibadan, Tokyo, Beijing, Dar es Salam, Calgary, Djakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Accra, and the city you are reading from hears the gospel through you! Shalom.–
O taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8). I have tasted and found that the Lord is good. I do testify that the Lord is good. Join me to taste him.
Subscribe:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dramosdada
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amos.dada.5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dada_amos
Periscope: https://www.pscp.tv/dada_amos/1djGXpvzkjdGZ
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dada-amos
