"POPULAR OPINION!"

Acts 17:1-5                     (1599 Geneva Bible)
"1 Now as they passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a Synagogue of the Jews.
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days disputed with them by the Scriptures,
3 Opening, and alleging that Christ must have suffered, and risen again from the dead, and this is Jesus Christ, whom said he, I preach to you.
4 And SOME OF THEM BELIEVED, and joined in company with Paul and Silas: also of the Grecians that feared God a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
5 But the JEWS which believed NOT, moved with ENVY, took unto them certain VAGABONDS and WICKED FELLOWS and when they had assembled the multitude, they MADE a TUMULT in the city, and made assault against the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people."


Through the reading of scripture, I am convicted of the times past when I would be serving on a board or commission and we would make a judgement.  The board or commission on which I served would come to a consensus on what WE "THOUGHT" THE EVIDENCE WAS SAYING on an issue or judgement.  If our decision was thought to be incorrect, or unjust, it could be appealed to a higher authority.

The JEWS in verse 5 of Acts 17, and moved with ENVY (a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.) resorted to "vagabonds" and "wicked fellows" to stir up controversy over whether JESUS CHRIST was WHO HE said HE was, and did what HE said HE did.  The "JEWS", in order to have a crowd, had to stoop to "vagabonds" and "wicked fellows" to promote their point of view.

Should not our thoughts and beliefs be determined solely by what the scriptures direct us to be?  In Acts 17:11, the Berean Christians "searched the Scriptures daily" and let GOD speak to them to determine what their beliefs should be.  The Bereans did not seek to satisfy, or seek approval of "POPULAR OPINION".

Neither should we let "POPULAR OPINION" determine our belief system, as what is popular today may change from one day to the next. JESUS was hailed as the "King of Israel" one week on Palm Sunday, and the very next week had already been tried, condemned, crucified, buried, and resurrected!  "POPULAR OPINION" meant nothing to JESUS as HE hung in my place on Calvary's tree!  Being a believer that JESUS CHRIST is the Son of GOD is not a choice to win friends.  I am rather certain JESUS did not win any popularity contests!  I pray "POPULAR OPINION" not enter into my life as I serve HIM!