Tertullus Teaches - Part Two

And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying; Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Acts 24: 2 - 3

Thus far, we have been listening to Tertullus, the Church’s orator, observing his manner as he seeks favour from Governor Felix, the one who is in authority. Our main reason, in this three-part offering, is to learn more about the mind, manner and mode of those who speak on behalf of believers, the Church. In other words, we are given Tertullus as an example in this offering. Additionally, the same headings previously used, will be kept for easier understanding.

Just to re-emphasise and ensure that there is no misunderstanding, no grey area, or any kind of doubt, I repeat. In this offering, we are likening orator Tertullus, to the person who is speaking on behalf of the Church. We are likening Governor Felix, the person in authority, to God, to whom we speak, through the Holy Spirit. With that fully understood, we proceed.

Whoever is chosen to go before God on behalf of the Church, must know true humility. There must be a conscious, awareness that you are the creature and God is the Creator. Appropriating the mind, mood and manner of Tertullus, we move on. We are shown that all who come to God, asking, seeking and knocking, must evidence these. Be ever mindful also that Church, is the collective body of believers, or one person even. Since you, I and all believers make up the Body of Christ, the pronoun, we, has been used.

Faith – When we come to God, asking, we must come in faith. We too, like Tertullus, must begin our asking by setting out openly, our pleasing faith in God as Lord of all and not in any goodness of our own. We are flesh, and prone to doubts and fears. The ways of faith and the ways of flesh never agree. These words, seeing that through You, admit that we know that the good things which have been received and are still being received as a people, must be attributed to God. Without faith, we simply cannot please God. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8: 8

Fact – We must not only speak words of great praise and glory to God, but we need to speak out His good works, His wondrous good to us. We must back up our words with facts, living, tangible, convincing proofs of what God has given to us. Seeing that through You we enjoy great peace. Be very clear on the timing aspect. Through God, we have received peace and are still receiving peace at His hands. Even while we are before God, we are living in His peace. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3: 16a. 

Favour – We must always laud and magnify God for the favour we receive through Him. Prosperity is being brought to this nation by Your foresight. We need never fail to show that we recognize His Hand upon us. We admit and profess that it is because of God’s wisdom, generosity, and authority, we have such great, continuing prosperity as a believing people. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favour You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5: 12.

Freeness – We, still speaking in the name of the Body of Christ Jesus, spare no praises and no glory in our elevation of Sovereign God. Through us, we are zealous to tell God, how much we appreciate His free Hand in how He efficiently and effectively manages His office. We, like Tertullus, ought to be able to unquestioningly and openly say this. We accept it always and in all places. What do they accept? We, the Church, let God know how much we always appreciate and accept all that He does and so freely gives. We laud Him on what He does and gives in every place where His jurisdiction spans. God’s jurisdiction is the world, for His Authority reaches higher than the highest heaven and lower than the lowest hell. The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103: 19 

What are you hearing? What are you receiving? Is there anything heavily convicting you as the Church, in your relationship with God?

Tomorrow, we conclude with Part Three.