February 23, 2023

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. Acts 24:14

Paul was accused by the Jewish ‘mainstream’ of being a troublemaker. The multiple accusations rested upon misrepresentations of his beliefs and activities, including total fabrications (lies!) before the Roman governor Felix: For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple . . . (vv.5-6a)

Now the Roman governor’s job was to keep “peace” at any cost. Paul’s simple defense was that his beliefs and activities were supported by all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. This scenario is a prophetic illustration of things to come, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (see John 16:13).

Today’s ever-strengthening bond between church and state has been forging for decades, and all for the “greater good” of world peace and saving the planet. Mainstream Christendom and leading governments of the world are devising the One World plan. Interestingly, it was mainstream religion coupled with secular government that accomplished the crucifixion of Jesus and the beheading of Paul, to name just two results of this “friendship.”

The near future is a parallel: those who believe all things in the word of God are called a sect. Such will be punished as troublemakers (see Revelation 13:15). However, better to be called a sect and a troublemaker by men than to turn away from the word of Him who has given us His word in order to lead us safely back to Him for eternity.

Our adversary, though he is relentless, is not capable of “undoing” the foundational truths laid for us by the Master Builder. Therefore, he can only present counterfeit alternatives. Before Saul was converted to “Paul” by the sheer grace of God, he stood tall among the Pharisees. But after, having been given discernment between the true and the false, he wrote this to young Timothy:

We know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane . . . and any other thing contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:8,9a,10b,11-15