*** SHOW NOTES (not a transcript) ***

Lead:

When Christians are martyred, of what are they accused?

Intro:

When Christians are martyred, of what are they accused? Most of the time, like Jesus, it’s for alleged crimes against the state. And the truth is that Jesus said that the good news is going to be offensive because it gets in people’s business and shines a light on their junk. When talking about how we live out loving Jesus I like how my pastor puts it: “The gospel is offensive enough, just don’t make it more offensive.”

Today’s All Our Minds segment is going to be part one of looking at witnesses and martyrs, but before we get there, we’ve got more of Acts to read. And you should know that my silly week not only included mis-numbering a couple programs, but I yesterday started into a new translation a day early. First world problems, I know.

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Bible Segment:

Passage: Acts 5-6
Translation: HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 57
Words: ~1328

All Our Minds Segment:

Witness. One who tells what he has seen or personally experienced in a court of law (cf. Jn 3:11). The term may also refer to the testimony which he has given. In the Bible a witness may also be a monument or memorial which signifies that a certain action has been taken or agreement made.
In the judicial procedure outlined in the OT one witness was not adequate for personal testimony against anyone, but two or three witnesses were required (Dt 17:6; 19:15). This principle was ingrained in Jewish law and is reiterated in the NT (cf. Mt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1).
The truth of testimony is so important that the Bible expressly forbids false witness in the ninth commandment (Ex 20:16; Dt 5:20; cf. Mk 10:19; Lk 18:20)...
God himself is the greatest of all witnesses. He describes himself as a “swift witness” against the workers of iniquity (Mal 3:5) and expressly mentions those who “swear falsely.” The Father bears witness to the Son (Jn 5:37; 8:18). Jesus Christ is called the faithful witness (Rv 1:5) and his works are a witness to who he is (Jn 5:36). All of the prophets give witness to the salvation which is in Jesus (Acts 10:43). God bears witness to those who believe, by giving them the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:8), who bears witness with the spirits of believers that they are children of God (Rom 8:15–17; cf. 1 Jn 5:9–12).(1)

Wisdom Segment:

Passage: Psalm 97-98
Translation: HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 21
Words: ~345

Love you!

-R

ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.

Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.

Sources and resources:

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(1) Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Witness,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 2154–2155. (This two-volume set is out of print, but I still use it a lot. There are used copies available).

#906: Acts 5-6 | Witnesses & martyrs, part 1 | Psalm 97-98