October 28
Bible Reading: Acts 23:1-5
Acts 23:1, “And looking intently at the council, Paul said, ‘Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day’.”
Trouble continuously confronted Paul during his visit to Jerusalem. The meeting with the elders led to the failed attempt to pacify Paul’s opponents. As soon as his opponents saw him leaving the temple, they stirred up the crowd and laid hands on him. Then the Roman soldiers took hold of him, bound him, and carried him away. His defense before the angry mob was interrupted at his mention of the word “Gentiles.” Hearing that, they deemed him not worthy of life and sought to stone him (Acts 22:23). What a day! If that wasn’t enough, the next day brought him before the council to give an account.
It’s helpful to know something about the high priest who led the council. Appointed by Herod Agrippa II in approximately AD 48, this Ananias (several are mentioned in the Bible) was known for his cruelty and was especially hated by the Jews because of his ruthlessness and corruption.
The council that was not unfamiliar to Paul for he had formerly contracted with them before his conversion, to get letters for the arrest of believers (Acts 22:5). The council was made up of religious leaders from the sects of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
God’s man, the Apostle Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, was brought before the devil’s man, Ananias, and other religious leaders who had been, to this point, opposing Jesus and his church for decades. Paul was not afraid and looked intently at the council. He defended his actions in that he lived his life before God in good conscience. In response, contrary to the laws of the court, the high priest had Paul struck in the mouth. Paul responded by calling attention to this violation and called the high priest a whitewashed wall (a hypocrite—which he was). But when Paul was called out for reviling the high priest, he cited his ignorance of that fact (Exodus 22:28).
What do we find here in this account? Paul is confident before the council, but not by his own doing. His courage was rooted in his faith in the Lord Jesus, and in his gospel message, and in the Scriptures. They were out to get Paul. But Paul had the Risen Jesus on his side! And the Lord Jesus would see him through this ordeal.
“I shall not fear the battle. If Thou art by my side.”–John E. Bode
O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED
O Jesus, I have promised
to serve Thee to the end;
be Thou forever near me,
my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
if Thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if Thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel Thee near me,
the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control!
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul!
O Jesus, Thou hast promised
to all who follow Thee
that where Thou art in glory
there shall Thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my Friend!
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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