The phrase ‘speak truth to power’ is increasingly popular today, as individuals and pressure groups lobby governments, businesses, schools, universities, and other institutions to adopt their way of thinking. Christians also have a responsibility to speak truth to powers and authorities. Being a follower and disciple of Jesus involves far more than just going to church. It means being a citizen of the Kingdom of God which affects every area of life. History shows us that the bigger the challenges to the gospel from the state, the braver the stand you must take to speak truth to power. At some time or another, every one of us will be called to speak up about our faith to people in power. It may be your boss or someone at school or university or an authority figure in the community, in your family. You may even have to appear before judges and speak to government officials and royalty.
Paul was constantly involved in collisions between the secular world and the kingdom of God. During his two years under house arrest in Caesarea, Paul had to interact with the powers that be. He was brought before two Roman governors and a Jewish King and Queen. He needed to defend himself against the accusations of the Jewish high priest, elders and lawyers. Three whole chapters, Acts 24, 25 and 26, are given over to reporting on these events. So clearly speaking to power is a significant issue. So how did Paul speak to these powers whilst before them as their prisoner? We see some important lessons which will help us.
1. Speak with respect (Romans 13:1-2; Acts 24:5; Acts 24:10-16; Acts 26:2-3 & 24-25; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 1 Peter 3:15)
2. Speak confidently (Luke 10:19; Matthew 10:17-18; Acts 1:8)
a. No fear of your audience (Acts 26:23; Acts 24:25-26; Matthew 10:28; 1 John 4:1)
b. No fear of the arguments against you (Acts 25:7; Revelation 12:11)
c. No fear of the future (Acts 25:11; Acts 26:17; 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV; 1 John 4:18)
3. Speak faithfully (Matthew 5:37 NKJV; Acts 24:14; Acts 25:19; Acts 26:18-29; Romans 1:16; Psalm 25:3)
Apply
Do you speak to authority with respect? The apostle Paul understood that the governing authorities of the world come from God (Romans 13:1-2). After hearing the charges of the high priest, elders and lawyers against him (Acts 24:5), Paul didn’t speak from a place of anger or frustration but respectfully makes his defence (Acts 24:10-16). And he demonstrates this respect repeatedly when on trial before rulers and authorities (Acts 26:2-3 & 24-25). Many times people don't speak to those in authority with respect. Rather there is so much cynicism and nastiness. As Christians God wants us to speak to authority in a different way. God wants there to be order, not anarchy, in the world. And He wants the same in families and the church (1 Corinthians 14:33). God established the authorities on earth to bring order to the earth. And so He wants us as Christians to really lead the way in speaking respectfully to government, to pastors, to parents and others in positions of power (1 Peter 3:15). Paul was ready to share his testimony and to do so respectfully, and we must be too. We should never be afraid to speak up, but we should always do so in the right way. When we treat others with respect, doors open, situations change, and we are recognized as different from others who are negative and cynical.
Are you fearful of what others might think of you, say about you or use their authority to do to you if you were to speak out about your faith in Jesus? Do you speak to authority with confidence in the Lord? Paul always spoke with confidence: there was no fear in him. Paul knew that being a disciple of Jesus gave him the confidence and authority to speak to anyone, no matter how difficult the situation (Luke 10:19; Matthew 10:17-18; Acts 1:8). Like Paul you must have no fear of your audience (Acts 26:23). Paul knew King Agrippa's family history and was in no doubt how nasty things could get for him. Those accusing Paul wanted him killed, and the Roman governors had the power to do just that. Governor Felix was not a righteous man (Acts 24:26) and Governor Festus was willing to use his authority to hand Paul’s life over to those accusing him (Acts 25:3 & 9). Yet just like Paul, we cannot be fearful when we stand in front of people in authority (Matthew 10:28). As Paul spoke with the confidence that comes from being a true disciple of Jesus, the spiritual authority he carried was greater than the earthly power of the governor (Acts 24:25; 1 John 4:1). So speak confidently without fear of your audience. Also, have no fear of the arguments against you (Acts 25:7; Revelation 12:11). Never shy away from confidently telling your testimony out of fear of what others might say. And have no fear of the future. Having spoken boldly before his many accusers so far, Paul was fearless about stating his faith in Jesus even before the Roman emperor (Acts 25:11; Acts 26:17). He knew God had his future in hand (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). Paul personally knew God’s perfect love for him and was not afraid to speak to whichever earthly authority God wanted, no matter the potential consequences (1 John 4:18). So when you are speaking to authority, do not be intimidated and do not shrink back.
Are you determined to never miss an opportunity to spread the good news of the love Jesus? Paul was always a faithful witness to Christ, whoever he was speaking to. And we must always be faithful with our words as well. Yes, we must be faithful in our speech in general (Matthew 5:37 NKJV) but more specifically we must always speak faithfully of Jesus. Before gentile rulers and Jewish royalty alike, Paul faithfully declared the truth of the gospel, repeatedly sharing his testimony (Acts 24:14; Acts 25:19). In Acts 26 Paul’s primary concern was to personally share the good news of Jesus with Agrippa. Paul never missed an opportunity to ‘testify to small and great alike’ (v22). He was faithful to share his testimony and the life-changing power of an encounter with Jesus. Throughout Acts we see that Paul didn’t let anything stop him from telling others about Jesus, whether he was being beaten and flogged, imprisoned or having attempts made on his life. We cannot be ashamed of the gospel (Acts 26:19; Romans 1:16). We must speak faithfully of God and the teachings of the Word of God, and we must always speak faithfully of Jesus. Despite the relentless charges that were brought against Paul, the secular and political authorities to which he spoke each acknowledged that he was ‘not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment’ (Acts 26:31). Yet the Lord still allowed him to be on trial before these people, and to have ever more opportunity to spread the fire of the gospel both in prisons and palaces. No matter your circumstances, determine that when your moment comes, you will speak respectfully, confidently and faithfully to those in authority, for no one who trusts in the Lord will ever be put to shame (Psalm 25:3).
