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?

< Older Post

Newer Post >

November 2025 Printed Newsletter

November 21, 2025

The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe, 1914

The Reformation and America’s Founding

By Ryan Cox • November 21, 2025

As many saw corruption not only in the abuse of parishioners, but also in church authority and doctrine, many started to speak out for reform. Martin Luther published his 95 Theses in 1517, and thanks to Johannes Guttenberg’s printing press, was able to print many short treatises on Biblical matters. His publications are thought to amount to ⅕ of all works printed in Germany in the first third of the 1500s. Economic historian Dr. Jared Rubin published in 2014 that “the mere presence of a printing press prior to 1500 increased the probability that a city would become Protestant in 1530 by 52.1 percentage points.” 1 Over in England, King Henry VIII desired to annul his marriage to his first of 6 wives, Catherine of Aragon. Pope Clement VII wouldn’t grant it, so King Henry established the Church of England, with him as the Supreme Head. After his and his son Edward’s deaths, his daughter from Catherine named Mary was able to take over. She reinstated the Catholic faith, although she was quite vengeful, burning at the stake more than 280 dissenters in her 5-year reign, giving her the label “Bloody Mary.” During this time, many Reformers fled to Geneva where they published in 1560 the Geneva Bible. After Mary’s death, her half-sister Elizabeth became queen and restored the Church of England. After her nearly 45-year reign, her cousin James I became king upon her death. He would commence the 1604 revision of the Book of Common Prayer and the Authorized Version of the Bible, published in 1611, known today as the King James Bible. Understandably, with all this political activity, things may not have always been on the up and up in the Church of England. Consequently, there were many reform efforts that sprung up, such as the Anabaptists, Baptists, Barrowists, Behmenists, Brownists, Diggers, Enthusiasts, Familists, Fifth Monarchists, Grindletonians, Levellers, Muggletonians, Puritans, Philadelphians, Quakers, Ranters, Sabbatarians, Seekers, and Socinians, to name a few. Robert Browne was an Anglican priest who was influenced by some Puritan theologians. He eventually rejected the idea of purifying the Church of England, and helped start a separatist church in 1581. In 1592, the Seditious Sectaries Act was passed specifically outlawing Brownists and other separatists, including imprisonment. Still, more continued to be influenced. So, in 1604, Archbishop Bancroft launched his campaign of suspending or firing some 380 Puritan and Separatist ministers, many of whom started new separatist churches, such as ministers Richard Clyfton and John Robinson in 1606. The postmaster and manager of the archbishop’s Manor House in Scrooby, William Brewster, had been impressed by Clyfton’s preaching and invited the separatists to meet in the house. Brewster eventually resigned his position, being fined for his absences at the king’s church. As the congregation grew, one enthusiastic 16-year old William Bradford began attending. An orphan since age 7, he had heard Clyfton preach at age 12. Now he was a member of this house church that grew to some 50 members, making it difficult to avoid the authorities. Bradford wrote, “But after these things they could not long continue in any peaceable condition, but were hunted & persecuted on every side… For some were taken & clapt up in prison, others had their houses beset & watched night and day, & hardly escaped their hands; and the most were fain to fly & leave their houses & habitations, and the means of their livelihood.” 2

Thanksgiving Blessings!

By Matt Miles • November 21, 2025

This year we have focused on History & Destiny. As we ready ourselves for Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the history of the season and of the future to come. It is always great to celebrate this time of year and reflect back. There is so much to be thankful for, but the providence and provision of the Lord is foremost. His enduring guidance never gets old as He takes us to churches and people that need the message He has given us. This year has taken us to many places we have been to before, letting us reconnect with old friends. At the same time the Lord has opened new doors where people have been excited to hear and see Genesis in a new light with new emphasis. What a blessing to make new friends and meet co-laborers for the Gospel! God has given us connections with young and old alike, enabling the Kingdom work to continue and flourish for His praise. We are so thankful. Another year has passed and the Lord continues to provide all we need to continue this mission, including His provision of a new truck when we needed one. Yes, we still need help to pay it off, but just to be in a position to handle all that comes with purchasing a new truck is something for which we give great thanks to the Lord. To have what we need month in and month out, even when our program schedule was thin, has been a blessing worthy of great thanks. Two mornings in November we had the opportunity to teach a group of adults that many in the world forget about - those with special needs. It was a blast to talk with them about dinosaurs and, with several attendees, Biblical history. The Lord allowed us to help a blind young woman to “see” dinosaurs for her first time. All we needed to do was take her hand and let her trace the fossils with her touch. It was a truly exceptional moment to teach someone for her first time that dinosaurs are part of the Lord’s creation. We are so thankful to have been a tool in His providence and provision for those who were able to come. Our continuing mission is supported by each and every one of you who pray for us. The power of prayer is very real and we see its manifestation so often in this ministry. The financial support from family, friends and the body of Christ, His Church, carry us each and every year. We once again enter this season with extraordinary thankfulness for our Lord and for you. Thanksgiving Blessings!