Hope - Making Your Case - 1 Peter 3, Acts 21 and 22 - September 5, 2010

Bible Study – Hope – Making Your Case – September 5, 2010

We begin a new series entitled “The Case for Hope.”
Today’s scripture is 1 Peter 3:13-17; Acts 21:40-Acts 22:3 and Acts 22:4-21.


We will study “The Case for Hope” for the next three (3) months. We will explore various scripture references.


Our study today begins with “Making Your Case” which deals with baring witness or giving your testimony regarding your relationship with CHRIST. Many Christians are either afraid or feel inadequate to tell someone else about their personal relationship with CHRIST. This study deals with apologetics. No, it is not apologizing. The Greek word “apologia” means “answer” or “defense.” It is the root word used for “apologetics.” It does not mean to be defensive but to it does allude to defense as one would defend in a formal legal trial or in a discussion or debate.


So what is the goal of apologetics? It is not to be argumentative but to present why you believe in CHRIST. Do you need to know the Bible? It helps but to me, one of the most powerful defenses is your personal testimony. It is an opportunity to present why you believe in CHRIST and provides an opportunity to give a well thought out basis for your faith in CHRIST. People can debate the facts of the Bible but it is very difficult for them to debate your testimony.


The basics of a testimony are to give some of your life before CHRIST, your encounter with CHRIST and then your life since you asked CHRIST to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. Your life since CHRIST should reveal your assurance of eternal life and your Spiritual growth. You should write out your testimony. You should have a two minute version and twenty minute version. Why? The two minute version is handy when GOD provides a quick opportunity to you for share CHRIST when on a tight schedule, like when the opportunity presents itself in a line to purchase something or catching a train, bus or plane.


The key to salvation is not the specific words that you say but the attitude of the heart. Does a person see the need for salvation? Does he/she see that he/she is inadequate to save himself/herself from sin and death? I have read testimonies where a person has said “LORD, I give up.” When a person searches for truth and finds it, it is giving up his/her will to embrace HIS will in his/her lives. What is GOD’S will for our life? It is Salvation from sin and death through HIS ONLY SON JESUS as reflected in John 3:16:


16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the • One and Only Son of God.


Here are several additional scriptures that are useful in leading someone to CHRIST:
- Admit that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 tells us that 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the[20] glory of God. So what is our hope? Romans 5:6 tells us 6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.
- Romans 6:23 tells us 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Romans 10:9-10: - 9 if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.

A person can ask CHRIST into his/her heart by either repeating something like, “LORD JESUS I know that I am a sinner and I believe that YOU died for me upon the cross. I ask YOU to forgive me of my sins and to come into my life right now. If you asked JESUS to forgive you of your sins and believe that HE died upon the cross for your sins, HE enters your life at that instant.” HIS presence is confirmed by the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT. You have been born into the family of GOD. You are now HIS son or daughter for all eternity.


Romans 5:6-11:
6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! 9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, [then how]* much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.


John 5:24 - 24 “I (JESUS) assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.


As we study our scripture you will see how the Apostle Paul used his encounter with CHRIST to present HIM to others. He used his witness or testimony. We begin our study with words from the Apostle Peter.


Let’s read 1 Peter 3:13-17:
13 And who will harm[11] you if you are passionate for what is good?[12] 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed.[13] Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed,[14] 15 but set apart the • Messiah[15] as Lord in your hearts,[16] and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason[17] for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear,[18] [19] so that when you are accused,[20] those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.[21] 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will,[22] than for doing evil.


The Apostle Peter was writing to Christians in the area facing persecution. It is thought that Peter wrote this while in Rome. Bible scholars do not think that the level of persecution had grown to the physical level that it would later. It is likely that Christians were being discriminated against – social and harassment at work. Christians were misunderstood. Christians were considered atheists because they would not worship the pagan gods. They were considered cannibals because of the symbols of the LORD’S Supper – wine representing the shed blood of CHRIST and bread representing the body of CHRIST.


Peter wrote this to fellow Christians and urged them to be prepared by first realizing they were eternally secure in CHRIST and had nothing to fear. They needed to understand that they were sanctified, set apart by CHRIST to serve, as empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT and should be prepared to give a well reasoned response when asked about their faith. He cautioned them when they defended their faith to respond with gentleness and respect. He did not want them to provoke an argument. This is good advice for all Christians. Little is accomplished in the heat of an argument. Present the facts of your faith in CHRIST. Again, your testimony is always good to use.


We will see later that Paul identified with his audience. Many of us can identify with those who are searching for a relationship with GOD or CHRIST. Trying to understand and comprehend GOD is usually where many of us begin our journey to find truth. As we search for truth it leads us to CHRIST and we discover that the way to GOD is through CHRIST. CHRIST made that clear during HIS earthly ministry as we read in John 14:6:
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.


When Christians have an intimate loving relationship with CHRIST, they know that their home is not earth but heaven. When they understand this then they are free to serve CHRIST with passion.


Let’s consider Paul’s testimony. First, Paul was his Roman name and Saul was Paul’s Jewish name. Likely he was named for King Saul since his family came from the tribe of Benjamin. Since Paul was a Roman citizen his father was a Roman. His family was Jewish and he was raised a devout Jew and trained under one of the most prominent Jewish teachers, Gamaliel (guh MAY lih el).


Let’s read Acts 21:39-22:3:
39 Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of an important city.[7] Now I ask you, let me speak to the people.” 40 After he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language:


1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” 2 When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter. 3 He continued, “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city[1] at the feet of Gamaliel, and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today,


Paul was in Jerusalem. The Jews were angry with Paul because they had heard that he allowed Gentiles to enter the temple, which was a serious offense and punishable by death. The Roman guards had to rescue him from the angry mob. Paul asked the Romans soldiers if he could speak to the angry crowd. The Roman soldiers granted him permission to speak. Verse 39 is the beginning of his speech.


Paul began by identifying himself as a fellow Jew, born in Tarsus. He was a citizen of an important city or no ordinary city. In fact, he was a citizen of Rome. He began speaking to them in Hebrew (Aramaic), which was their native tongue. This got their attention. They began to listen. It is important that those to whom you are speaking listen.


Let’s read Acts 22:4-21:
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women in jail, 5 as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I was traveling to Damascus to bring those who were prisoners there to be punished in Jerusalem.

The Christian movement was referred to as the “Way”; likely called “the Way” because JESUS stated that HE was “the Way” as we see in John 14:6. Christians were first referred to as Christ Ones or Christians in Antioch. Paul began by telling the angry mob that he used to persecute those who were part of the “Way.” This angry mob was also angry with those who followed CHRIST. This gave Paul common ground with the angry mob. He told them that he was under orders from both the high priest and the whole council of elders. He was on a mission traveling to Damascus to escort members of the Way who had been captured back to Jerusalem for punishment. This likely got their attention and they began to listen and Paul went into his testimony giving his encounter with the living, resurrected CHRIST.


Paul’s Testimony (He simply told what happened and how he became a believer.)


6 “As I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 “I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ “He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the • Nazarene, whom you are persecuting!’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light,[2] but they did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 “Then I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that is assigned for you to do.’ 11 “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. 12 Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good reputation with all the Jews residing there, 13 came to me, stood by me, and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of His voice.[3] 15 For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name.’ 17 “After I came back to Jerusalem and was praying in the • temple complex, I went into a visionary state 18 and saw Him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me!’ 19 “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in • synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in You imprisoned and beaten. 20 And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving,[4] and I guarded the clothes of those who killed him.’ 21 “Then He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”


Paul gave his testimony. He told them that others traveling with him had seen the light but did not hear the voice. In Acts 9:7 Luke reported that - 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. Those traveling with Saul/Paul heard a sound but did not know what was said. They all saw the light. Seeing the light and the changed life of Saul should have had a major influence on all who traveled with Saul. Only eternity will reveal those who became Christians as a result. We do know that Saul was never the same after his encounter with CHRIST.


CHRIST called Saul by name. CHRIST knew Saul and HE knows you and me by name. Paul revealed the fact that CHRIST had warned him to leave Jerusalem because his ministry was with the Gentiles. Did GOD allow this incident in the temple in order to get Paul to leave Jerusalem and go to where HE wanted him to serve HIM?


The major point is that Saul set out to serve GOD by persecuting and killing Christians. He encountered CHRIST on the road to Damascus and his life was changed forever. It is vital that our lives reflect the change CHRIST has made and that we walk the talk.


Can we walk the talk in our own strength? No! This is where our relationship with CHRIST is vital. We must learn of HIM as we study GOD’S Word, the Bible, talk with HIM through prayer and obediently serve HIM. All true Christians are indwelled by the HOLY SPIRIT, WHO will lead them, guide them, empower them, teach them, give them assurance of salvation and reveal to them truth, to name a few things.


Saul’s life changed after his encounter with CHRIST. Has your life changed after your encounter with CHRIST? If not have you had a real encounter with HIM? If not or there is a question ask CHRIST to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life right now. Encounter the living CHRIST and begin building a loving intimate relationship with HIM.


When Paul uttered the words that he was to go to the Gentiles, the mob that had been quiet erupted with shouts as recorded in Acts 22:22 - 22 They listened to him up to this word. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this person off the earth—it’s a disgrace for him to live!”


The plan for our study over the next three (3) months is to help us to be better prepared to know what we believe and why. Blessings to all.