AGAINST THE LAW

July 9

Bible Reading: Acts 7:17-43

Acts 7:39, “Our fathers refused to obey him…”

As the Apostle Paul noted, the law is good (Romans 7:12).  Our problem, when it comes to the law, is that no one (except Jesus) has been able to keep it. 

Amongst other things, they accused Stephen of speaking against the law (Acts 6:13).  So, they seized him and brought him before the council.  The council, led by the High Priest, had its own laws by which it functioned.  It examined evidence, separately scrutinized witnesses, and required that their testimony be agreed to in every detail.  If the verdict was a verdict of death, a night needed to elapse before carried out, so that the court might have the opportunity to change its mind and its decision.  But things didn’t proceed according to their laws.

The plan was to interrogate Stephen for so-called blasphemous statements.  But Stephen turned the tables on the inquisition such that the interrogated became interrogator.  His adversaries espoused concern for the law, but the problem is that they were all lawbreakers.  They came from a long line of lawbreakers, going all the way back to the time of Moses (Acts 7:39, 53).  The High Priest was a lawbreaker.  Every member of the council was a lawbreaker.  The witnesses were lawbreakers, too.  Stephen had been a lawbreaker by practice until Jesus—the only man before or since to perfectly uphold the law—worked to save him from his sins.  

Stephen was there to bear witness of Jesus.  The council revered Moses the lawgiver, but Moses had said, “God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers” (Acts 7:37).  Jesus was that prophet-Messiah, and He had come to deliver His people from their sins.  But they had no heart for Him, and Spirit-sent Stephen was soon to indict them for that crime.  We lawbreakers have only one hope, which is the One who came to fulfill the law to save us from our sins.  Salvation is by grace through faith in Him!

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”—Romans 3:21-22

JUST AS I AM
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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