Joel M Bradshaw

10Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”–Acts 25

“Then the Lord [Jesus] said to me [Paul], ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” (Acts 22:21)

1. Only the Romans in Paul’s day could pronounce death sentences.
2. Paul had a special status as a Roman citizen that allowed him to appeal to Caesar.
3. This, of course, would send Paul as far away into Gentile territory as legally possible.
4. Paul would also have potential ministry access to the most powerful Gentile of all, Caesar.
5. Paul used the government and laws of his day to advance the Gospel and to glorify God.
6. I was once on a team of pastors that prayed invocations before the start of a city hall meeting. I remember those prayers briefly describing the Gospel hope and also blessing the politicians before me.
7. How can you seek to glorify God in your situation?–JMB