May 07, 2023

"Probatio" is a  Latin legal term which means "proof", more particularly direct proof vs. circumstantial. The Apostle Paul and travelling companions had arrived in Jerusalem where their brothers and sisters in Christ received them warmly. However, that welcome was not universal. Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple, seized him and stirred up the crowd by falsely accusing Paul of bringing Gentiles into areas of the temple where they were not allowed under penalty of death. They were trying to kill Paul and the Roman soldiers intervened to carry him away to the barracks. Paul asked the Commander for permission to speak to the crowd. He then proceeded to provide direct proof that he was "as zealous for God as any of you are today." He did this by sharing his personal story of meeting Christ and coming to believe He was the Messiah.

Paul's example instructs us on  the power of the personal story of salvation God has given each believer. We also see how the Jews, putting up a wall of fear, sought to silence Paul and his message and we are challenged to ask ourselves what walls of fear keep us from making a commitment of faith in Jesus and living a full life in Christ.