Uncorroborated Charges Corroborated

Ryan Cox • October 25, 2018

Would six hearings and ten declarations by a judge be enough to find a man innocent of the charges? History records that depending on the strength of the mob, the weight of the evidence may not matter.

In the first hearing, the man was questioned about his close friends, with whom he spent his time travelling and working. The man, who had a very clean record with an exemplary career of helping people, said that all their activities had been clearly seen by countless witnesses. They had never attempted to hide anything. The man was then attacked for his temperament in addressing the official, though he had acted properly in accordance with the law.

In the second hearing, the ruling committee had several statements brought forth by multiple “witnesses”, though none of their claims could be corroborated, with many found to be false or inconsistent with one another. The man calmly and clearly stated the facts, which enraged the officials even more. They denigrated and humiliated the man.

In the third hearing, the man was brought before the entire assembly. They once again brought the same charges. They declared him guilty on all accounts and demanded punishment in accordance with the law.

In the fourth hearing, the people leading the charge against this man said the evidence was inconsequential; the seriousness of the charges was all that mattered. The senior official declared that the man was innocent. This enraged the mob and its leaders. They began to make all kinds of accusations. Upon hearing all of this, the senior official called for another investigation and sent the matter to another government official.

In this hearing (#5), nothing really happened. The official found the man not guilty and sent his findings back to the senior official.

In the sixth and final hearing, the senior official chastised the ruling committee members for their lack of evidence and uncorroborated charges against the man. In total, the senior official declared ten times that the man was innocent!

It was at this point that the mob’s leaders came unhinged, and the truth behind their hatred came out.

“We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God” (John 19:7).

At that moment, all of the uncorroborated charges fell by the wayside as the one, true, corroborated charge came to the forefront. Of all their accusations, this was the one and only charge that was absolutely true. The Man had made Himself out to be the Son of God.

In fact, He had corroborated the charge by His miracles, teachings, love, and compassion.

Consequently, He was sentenced to and died the most excruciating death, all because of the one true charge. However, for this Man, He endured the shame and punishment willingly and joyfully for the sake of all mankind (Hebrews 12:2).

In response to His love, mercy, and grace, do we live lives that corroborate the charge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God?

Before we answer that, we must remember that the Scriptures show repeatedly that it is not just a matter of claiming so or of attending church services – it is a matter of obedience and action.

“4 The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (I John 2:4-6).

Are we daily corroborating the Son of God in our lives?

“9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life” (I John 5:9-12).

Do our lives reflect the testimony of the world or the testimony of Jesus?

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June 2025 Printed Newsletter

June 18, 2025

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By Ryan Cox • June 18, 2025

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Dr. G. Thomas Sharp Library

By Matt Miles • June 18, 2025

Over the course of time a person can accumulate many things. Most of the stuff we collect is meaningless to most everyone else, but when a person collects books, they can be treasured for a lifetime and even beyond. In this age of digital media, physical books seem to be less important to many people. Digital books are searchable, and copy/paste functions make it easy to use those great quotes. Yet, there is still something great about a physical book, things you can’t get digitally: the turning of pages, the feel of it in your hand, and the “book” smell. For our founder Dr. Sharp, physical books could never be replaced by digital. While my collection of books is growing each year, it is dwarfed by Dr. Sharp’s collection. Over the years he collected thousands of titles for research and enjoyment. Through the course of his ministry he had to sell his book collection a couple of different times to support his family, only to start collecting again when he was able to do so. When Doc passed his office full of packed bookshelves to me and said he would clear the shelves, I laughed out loud at the prospect of having loads of empty bookshelves. So I urged him to instead leave his books for my, and anyone else’s, use. Little did I understand that the four bookcases in my office were only a fraction of his entire collection. A couple of years back when Doc moved from his house, it was decided that his book collection would be stored at the office. Our thought was to establish a library, yet none of us had time to plan, organize and catalog all 79 boxes of books. They sat piled in his office until last year when my daughter Megan joined our ministry. She has a love of books, both reading and writing. So we offered her the task of cataloging and establishing Doc’s library. Can you picture me, a bbq lover, being offered a table full of succulent smoked offerings - brisket, sausage, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, turkey and all sides? Yep, that was Megan’s response to the library. For over four months she cataloged and organized the entire collection. The Dr. G. Thomas Sharp Library was completed earlier this year in his old office space, with overflow into my office. The entire 2700+ volume agglomeration is digitally cataloged for searching and locating. As you might expect, there is an extensive collection of creation and evolution subject matter, yet the library is full of many different categories. It very much reflects Doc’s love of gaining knowledge and research. An extensive commentary collection and multiple Biblical reference sections are invaluable to our ministry. There is even a whole bookcase housing books that are over 100 years old. Our desire was not to just house books but to also make a place of honor and inspiration. One wall exhibits Doc’s many diplomas, and throughout the library we have placed personal memorabilia of the mission trips he took over the years. Come, grab a book, relax in the sitting area and allow Doc’s handwritten notes from the margins or post-it notes bring a smile to your face. For those who may be more ambitious, Doc's office chair resides at the credenza for anyone to sit and be inspired to study. This is a place to honor Doc’s life and love for books. We at CTF have already utilized this great resource for further study, and we are so thankful to Diane and their family for donating these books for continued Kingdom growth. Blessings.