PSALMS
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Psalms 66 and 67
Psalms 66: 5
Come and see the works of GOD.
A community of believers must have the works of the HOLY SPIRIT so manifested in their midst that they can glorify GOD and say to others, Come and see the works of GOD. Nothing short of the full demonstration of GOD’s power among HIS people will convince the lost of the truth of the gospel of Christ. We must also witness to others on a personal level, giving testimony to GOD’s saving grace and goodness in our lives.

OLD TESTAMENT
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Numbers 16: 1 – 27
Numbers 16: 10
Seek ye the priesthood also?
Koran and his cohorts thought they could choose for themselves who would lead the people. But GOD made it plain that HE was in charge.
Under the new covenant, GOD still decides the type of people who are to serve as overseers of HIS church. HE has set certain holy standards for those who desire to serve.
When church members set aside GOD’s standards for overseers and seek to choose leadership while disregarding HIS Word, they are reflecting the rebellious attitude of Korah and the others who stood with him. Leadership must be based on GOD’s revealed will for HIS church.

NEW TESTAMENT
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Acts 25: 23 – 26: 11
Acts 26: 1 – 11
Christianity teaches us to give a reason of the hope that is in us and also to give honour to whom honour is due, without flattery or fear of man. Agrippa was well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, therefore could the better judge as to the controversy about JESUS being the MESSIAH. Surely ministers may expect, when they preach the faith of CHRIST, to be heard patiently.

Paul professes that he still kept to all the good in which he was first educated and trained up. Paul’s religion was. He was a moralist, a man of virtue, and had not learned the arts of the crafty, covetous Pharisees; he was not chargeable with any open vice and profaneness. He was sound in the faith. He always had a holy regard for the ancient promise made of GOD unto the fathers and built his hope upon it. ​

The apostle knew very well that all this would not justify him before GOD, yet he knew it was for his reputation among the Jews, and an argument that he was not such a man as they represented him to be. Though he counted this but loss, that he might win CHRIST, yet he mentioned it when it might serve to honour CHRIST.

Paul’s religion is; he has not such zeal for the ceremonial law as he had in his youth; the sacrifices and offerings appointed by that, are done away by the great Sacrifice which they typified. Of the ceremonial cleansings he makes no conscience, and thinks the Levitical priesthood is done away in the priesthood of CHRIST; but, as to the main principles of his religion, he is as zealous as ever.
CHRIST and heaven, are the two great doctrines of the gospel; that GOD has given to us eternal life, and this life is in HIS SON. These are the matter of the promise made unto the fathers. The temple service, or continual course of religious duties, day and night, was kept up as the profession of faith in the promise of eternal life, and in expectation of it. The prospect of eternal life should engage us to be diligent and steadfast in all religious exercises.

Yet the Sadducees hated Paul for preaching the resurrection; and the other Jews joined them, because he testified that JESUS was risen, and was the promised REDEEMER of Israel. Many things are thought to be beyond belief, only because the infinite nature and perfections of HIM that have revealed, performed, or promised them, are overlooked.

Paul acknowledged, that while he continued as a Pharisee, he was a bitter enemy to Christianity. This was his character and manner of life at the beginning of his time, and there was everything to hinder his being a Christian.

Those who have been most strict in their conduct before conversion will afterwards see abundant reason for humbling themselves, even on account of things which they then thought ought to have been done.