The American Christian
Weapon of Words Past and Present
Lesson 3
So far we have studied Paul’s ways of presentation in front of the authority he was imprisoned by.
We have looked at our rights of Freedom of Religion and Speech in also that –
No State shall make or enforce any law which
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any
person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its
jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
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Now we go back to Paul still in bonds. Having done all he could to address his situation.
Acts 23:11
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have
testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome."
Now what do you think Paul has that’s cheerful about his situation.
People have hated him for living his beliefs and have abused him and have tried to destroy his
reputation. They acted as if he was a lunatic. But look, Paul has stood up in honest truth and declared
his life before them. And THE LORD STOOD BY HIM. Paul stood up for his rights as a citizen of Rome
and told the judge he was a blatant liar. He then was rescued. He has lived to fight another day.
Let’s look at how God has used people to intervene. First there is the chief captain that when seeing
things are not right steps in although he has to have a whole army of soldiers to keep the Jews there
from ripping Paul to pieces. He stood for what was right and did what he could to help. He knew Paul’s
rights as a citizen and stepped in to protect that right. It would have been a lot easier for him to just let
the Jews have him.
Then God says enough of where you are, let’s take you to a whole new set of people to tell about me.
The Jews still wanting to kill him plot-
Acts 23:12-22
12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath,
saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 Now there were more
than forty who had formed this conspiracy. 14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and
said, "We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed
Paul. 15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be
brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning
him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near."
16 So when Paul's sister's son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told
Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Take this young man to the
commander, for he has something to tell him."18 So he took him and brought him to the
commander and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man
to you. He has something to say to you."
19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, "What is it that
you have to tell me?" 20 And he said,"The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to
the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.21 But do not
yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by
an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready,
waiting for the promise from you."
22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, "Tell no one that you have
revealed these things to me."
Note - Ok. What do we learn from this part. The governing body was against God’s will. Again someone
else ( Paul’s nephew) stood for what was right and went to the rescue. In our land we have the plight of
the unborn who will be killed unless we try and INFORM people that this is a plot against a innocent
human life. Are we Standing?
What about those that are striving to take away our heritage in God. Are we sitting still or standing
against them? You say Oh, what about the separation of Church and State.We have this Land entrusted
to us by our Founding Fathers to live in the guidance of our heavenly maker .
George Washington, Our first President at his inauguration on April 30, 1789 “ put his right hand on
the Bible.. and in part of his address said:
……..; it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications
to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations,
and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may
consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States, a Government
instituted by themselves for these essential purposes: and may enable every instrument
employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge.
In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good I assure
myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-
citizens at large, less than either. No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the
invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States.
Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems
to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. And in the important
revolution just accomplished in the system of their United Government, the tranquil
deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event
has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by which most Governments have been
established, without some return of pious gratitude along with an humble anticipation of the
future blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out of the
present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will
join with me I trust in thinking, that there are none under the influence of which, the
proceedings of a new and free Government can more auspiciously commence. ………..
after taking his oath adding “so help me God" He bent forward and kissed the Bible before him.
Does it seem to you that this is an act of a Government set up without God’s dependence?
Shouldn’t "We the People" reflect God and the model of our Founding Fathers as Christian Americans?
If we stand for God, don’t you think He will stand by us just as He did with Paul?
How do we Stand for what is right.
Standing is the opposite of sitting and allowing.
Get involved, no matter how uncomfortable it may feel at first WE Must Stand. We also must be
praying in all that we do. Did our Founding Fathers comfortably stand on principles laid out by God
Their maker?
Those that signed the constitution swore their lives and their wealth. Yet we find it hard to speak up
because of” political correctness of this age”dictates we should keep silent.
Think about it.
We will continue………..
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Psalm 33:11-22
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
14 From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
15 He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.
16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
19 To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
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