As I was preparing for this week's message I wanted to speak about "Why Be a Christian?" A great Scripture passage for that question comes from Paul's conversation with King Agrippa in Acts 26. Paul tells the king exactly how and why he became a Christian, and very nearly converts Agrippa, from the infamous line of Herod, on the spot.
Doing research on the text and the theme I came across mentions of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, where Paul's remains lie (except for his head, which is kept at another church nearby--he was beheaded, you know). Here the church has guarded relics of Paul's life and work, including the chains with which he was bound while he was in Rome during his final couple of years on earth. I find it fascinating that historical remnants such as these are still available to be seen by our naked eyes, straight from the Bible. I may never visit Rome, or Turkey, or Greece, or especially the Holy Land, but through the wonders of technology I can see items such as these, which once again validate and confirm my faith.
I don't need these relics for my belief, but I love finding them. Now, if those Christian Chinese explorers can get on with their next expedition to their location on Mt. Ararat and give us more on Noah's Ark...
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