In a court of law, a defendant must be found guilty of a crime before he or she is charged and sentenced. The judge or jury cannot convict a person of a crime unless there is enough evidence to prove them guilty.
In most cases, several things take place before anyone is arrested and brought to court as a criminal suspect. The first step usually requires some type of investigation by the police and local authorities which generally begins with law enforcement collecting evidence related to the crime. This can include physical evidence, witness interviews, and forensic analysis, and statements or admissions by the suspect.
When there is sufficient evidence of criminal activity, law enforcement may arrest the suspect and bring them into custody. While in custody, the prosecution examines the evidence to determine whether there is cause to formally charge the suspect. If charges are filed, the case moves forward.
Next there is an arraignment, where the defendant appears in court, and the case is formally initiated. Here the defendant learns of the charges and their legal rights. The court then sets a timeline for the continuation of legal proceedings for the case.
Following this, the prosecution and defense attorneys can exchange evidence to allow both sides to prepare for the case. This includes all the evidence previously mentioned.
Other steps involved in a criminal case include motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the charges, jury selection, opening statements by prosecution, presentation of evidence, direct examination by the prosecution, and cross examination by the defense council.
After this there is often a rebuttal by the prosecutor, then the jury deliberation and verdict. Finally, the sentence is issued. Lastly, the defendant is released or incarcerated per the court’s decision.
This process is usually long and requires much patience on both sides to guarantee a fair legal proceeding. Justice must be based on actual evidence and not suspicion or hearsay.
Having served in jail and prison ministry off and on over the years, I have sat in courtrooms when suspects have been charged with a crime and sentenced to prison. It is not a fun thing to hear a guilty verdict.
What Does This Have to Do With Me?
You might be wondering why I am discussing criminal cases in this blog, and what it has to do with serving God or spiritual growth. Let’s look at scripture to answer those valid questions.
Peter and John Before the Council
1) Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2) being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3) And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4) However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5) And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6) as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7) And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?"
8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9) If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10) let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
11) This is the 'STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.' 12) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14) And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15) But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16) saying, "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17) But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name." 18) So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19) But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
21) So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22) For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. Acts 4:1-22
Why were the disciples hauled off to a kangaroo court for preaching the gospel and being used of God to heal a lame man?
It all started a few days prior, when Jesus rose from the dead and gave final instructions to His disciples before His ascension into heaven.
Let’s look at some of His final directives.
18) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
15) And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:15-18
According to these passages of scripture, we can see the disciples were guilty of defying the demands of the religious leaders to preach the gospel, even in the face of persecution and suffering.
The evidence was plentiful, both among the people (eye witnesses), the religious leaders (prosecutors) and the healed man (witness testimony) they were followers of Jesus Christ.
History states that these disciples went on to serve God and turn the world upside down for His glory (Acts 17:6) and even becoming martyrs for their faith (Acts 12:1-2).
When these early disciples were brought before magistrates and rulers for preaching the gospel there was unwavering evidence to associate them with Jesus Christ. It was clear Who they represented and what they were doing.
These men and women were not secret disciples or ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:17). No one had to guess if they were followers of Christ who were committed to preaching the Word and obeying His commands. It was totally evident.
Every football season, many fans paint their faces and wear bizarre looking outfits to show their allegiance and loyalty to their favorite team. They go to extreme measures to let everyone know who they support. Bystanders have not question as to what team they represent.
Why aren’t Christians as bold about their faith? Why are they afraid of being de-friended, disliked, cancelled, banned, or excommunicated for telling others about Jesus Christ and what He has done for them?
If you or I were brought to court like the early disciples, would there be sufficient evidence to convict us of serving God? Would there be ample eye witnesses, physical evidence, and forensic details to prove we were guilty of spreading the gospel and boldly sharing the love of Christ. Would anyone be able to say, “I became a believer, was healed, filled with the Spirit, or edified spiritually because of this person?”
Would our bank account reflect our allegiance to the gospel and work of God? Would our neighbors be able to testify we were Christians by our witness and example? How about our family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances? If not… why? Where is our passion? Where is our faithfulness? Where is our fervency? Where is our focus?
Hopefully, we are not like those Paul spoke of when he wrote:
For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:21
He could say this, as one who had an abundance of evidence pointing to his service to Christ and the Kingdom of God (See 2 Corinthians 11:22-33). Paul ate, drank, and lived Christ. No one had to guess where his focus was. As a result he was constantly found guilty, charged, and imprisoned for spreading his faith (Acts 25:1-27, 2 Corinthians 11:23).
Let’s commit to a renewed passion for the Lord and His work, not only in prayer and giving, but as bold witnesses who share the gospel everywhere we go so others might be saved.
One day we will all stand before Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). May the verdict from His lips be “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21-23).
Until next time, may God our Heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 12/24/204