Episode 883
The Power of Paul's Testimony: A Call for Justice Work
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
A thorough examination of Acts 26:1-18 reveals the profound narrative of the Apostle Paul's transformation and its implications for justice work, as articulated by Dr. Brad Miller. The speaker invites us to delve into the intricacies of Paul's testimony, which details his dramatic conversion from a fervent persecutor of Christians to a devoted advocate for the faith. This transformation is presented not as an isolated incident but as a model for understanding the complexities of justice in contemporary society. Dr. Miller emphasizes that genuine transformation necessitates an honest reckoning with one's past actions, particularly those that have contributed to systemic harm and oppression.
In his analysis, Dr. Miller highlights the necessity of acknowledging past complicity in injustice as a precursor to meaningful change. Paul's candid reflections on his prior role in the persecution of believers serve as a potent reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing the violence inherent in our societal structures. The speaker adeptly connects these biblical themes to modern-day issues, urging listeners to reflect on their own participation in systems of injustice and to consider the transformative power of restorative justice.
Additionally, the discourse advocates for a collective approach to liberation, challenging the notion of individualistic spirituality. Dr. Miller articulates that the call to justice is not merely a personal endeavor but a communal responsibility to dismantle exclusionary systems and foster inclusivity. This perspective encourages listeners to engage actively in justice work, whether through advocacy, reform, or community-building efforts. The episode ultimately serves as a clarion call for individuals to pursue tangible actions that contribute to societal repair and transformation, reflecting the transformative love and justice that the scriptures espouse.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of acknowledging past harm as a prerequisite for genuine transformation.
- Paul's narrative illustrates that transformative justice prioritizes healing and restoration over punitive measures and retribution.
- The episode advocates for collective liberation, urging individuals to dismantle exclusionary systems and promote inclusivity within communities.
- Listeners are encouraged to engage in self-reflection concerning their participation in systemic injustice, whether through action or silence.
- Concrete action steps are proposed, highlighting the necessity for individuals to work towards repair and restoration in their communities.
- The overarching theme of the episode is that true transformation should lead to actionable steps towards justice and inclusion.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Transformation and Justice Work A Study of Acts 26:1 18 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Thank you for joining me.
Speaker A: onaires and million people by: Speaker A:We use the Revised Common Lectionary to select the verse that is particular just for today.
Speaker A:It's a three year cycle.
Speaker A:We're in year C in the Eastertide season.
Speaker A:We make the Bible understandable by reading from the message version.
Speaker A:Relatable by giving some points to ponder applicable I give you an action step to follow.
Speaker A:We do all of that in under 10 minutes with a prayer.
Speaker A:We bring it all to you from our website Voice of Go Daily.com as the home of our resource, the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:Let's get into our reading for the day from Acts 26:1 18.
Speaker A:Reading from the message I just couldn't walk away.
Speaker A:Agrippa spoke directly to Paul.
Speaker A:Go ahead, tell us about yourself.
Speaker A:Paul took the stand and to and told his story.
Speaker A:I can't think of anyone, King Agrippa, before whom I'd rather be answering all these Jewish accusations than you, knowing how well you are acquainted with Jewish ways and all of our family quarrels.
Speaker A:From time to time of my youth, my life has been lived among my own people in Jerusalem.
Speaker A:Practically every Jew in town who watched me grow up, and if they were willing to stick their necks out, they'd tell you in person.
Speaker A:They knew that I lived a strict life as a strict Pharisee, the most demanding branch of our religion.
Speaker A:It's because I believed and took it seriously, committed myself heart and soul to what God promised my ancestors.
Speaker A:The identical hope, mind you, that the 12 tribes had lived for night and day all these centuries.
Speaker A:It's because I have held to this tested and tried hope that I'm being called on the carpet by the Jews.
Speaker A:They should be the ones standing trial here, not me.
Speaker A:For the life of me, I can't see why it's a criminal offense to believe that God raises the dead.
Speaker A:I admit that I didn't always hold this position.
Speaker A:For a time I thought it was my duty to oppose this Jesus of Nazareth with all my might.
Speaker A:Backed with the full authority of the high priest, I threw these believers, I had no idea they were God's people, into the Jerusalem jail, right and left.
Speaker A:Whenever it came to a vote, I voted for their execution.
Speaker A:I stormed through their meeting places, bullying them into cursing Jesus, a one man terror obsessed with obliterating these people.
Speaker A:Then I started on the towns outside of Jerusalem one day on my way to Damascus, armed as always, with papers from the high priest authorizing my action.
Speaker A:Right in the middle of the day, a blaze of light, light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions.
Speaker A:Oh King.
Speaker A:It was so bright we fell flat on our faces.
Speaker A:Then I heard a voice in Hebrew, saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?
Speaker A:Why do you insist on going against the grain?
Speaker A:And I said, who are you, master?
Speaker A:The voice answered, I am Jesus, the one you're hunting down like an animal.
Speaker A:But now up on your feet.
Speaker A:I have a job for you.
Speaker A:I've handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what has happened today and to what I'm going to show you.
Speaker A:I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God and choose God.
Speaker A:I'm sending you off to present my offer of of sins forgiven and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.
Speaker A:Well, my friends, what a powerful, powerful section of scripture to read.
Speaker A:This is about Paul's powerful testimony about his own transformation and the call to work for justice.
Speaker A:Let's look at some points to ponder.
Speaker A:One is acknowledging past harm.
Speaker A:Paul openly acknowledges in his role his role in systematic violence.
Speaker A:I threw his open quote.
Speaker A:It says, I threw these believers into Jerusalem jail, right and left.
Speaker A:Thus this models how genuine transformation requires honest recognition of past participation in oppressive systems.
Speaker A:Today this challenges us to examine our own complicity and systems at harmony, whether it's racism, homophobia, environmental destruction or economic injustice.
Speaker A:Another point is about transformative justice.
Speaker A:Paul's story isn't about punishment, but about transformation.
Speaker A:The divine response to this violence isn't retribution, but a call to repair harm through justice work.
Speaker A:This offers a model of transformative justice that focuses on healing and change rather than punishment, particularly relevant to our conversations about such things as police reform, prison abolition and restorative practices.
Speaker A:A third point is liberation as collective work.
Speaker A:The call to open the eyes of the outsiders isn't about individual salvation, but collective liberation.
Speaker A:Paul is inviting us to participate in dismantling systems of exclusion and building inclusive community.
Speaker A:This challenges both religious nationalism and individualistic spirituality, calling us to work for systematic change.
Speaker A:Let's talk about some action steps that you can take.
Speaker A:First, have an honest examination of where you've participated in systems that harm others, either actively or perhaps by your silence.
Speaker A:Choose a concrete step towards repair, restoration and transformation.
Speaker A:This might mean joining some organizations or working for reform, maybe in prisons or in the society or in economics or support the transformative of justice to transformation of justice systems in your community.
Speaker A:Examine how the institutions you're a part of perpetuate exclusion and work to change it to be one of inclusion.
Speaker A:Remember, like Paul, transformation should lead to concrete action for justice.
Speaker A:We'll come back and have a prayer in just a moment, but I do want to remind you that we have a resource for you to check out.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:It will help you systematically read the Bible of your own accord.
Speaker A:You hear the Word here on Daily Bible Refresh, but you read the Word and consume it and study it through something like the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A:You pick it up at our website completely free voiceofgod daily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are a divine transformer.
Speaker A:And we confess that our participation of systems of harm, whether through action or silence, and help us find courage to acknowledge our past wrongs and work for repair when we're tempted to hide from complicity.
Speaker A:Give us strength to face truth.
Speaker A:Guide us from punitive thinking towards transformative justice.
Speaker A:Show us how to build communities of inclusion and liberation.
Speaker A:Remind us that change is possible, that transformation is real, and that repair can happen in hope and determination.
Speaker A:We pray.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, thank you for joining us today here in Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:You're going to find us right back here on this same place tomorrow morning.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6am and we have a goal.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:And we just look forward to you joining us tomorrow.
Speaker A:And bring a friend this time and we will enjoy the Scriptures together until that time.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Remember, remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:It's merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
