Read Acts 5:40-42
By Brad and Rebecca Cox
Peter and the apostles were faithfully teaching and preaching in the name of Jesus. God was allowing the Gospel to spread and the number of those who believed on the name of Jesus grew. This raised the ire of the Chief Priest and those that stood with him. They were angered with jealousy and plotted to kill the apostles. The Lord used a nonbeliever to deliver the apostles from an untimely death. The apostles were beaten, commanded to never again speak the name of Jesus and released. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves and their situation, the apostles rejoiced that the Lord God found them faithful and worthy to suffer pain and abuse for the Holy name of Jesus. They boldly continued to daily preach not only in the temple but in every house that Jesus is the Christ.
What could the apostles and other followers of Jesus have learned through this time of persecution? Preaching on the name of Jesus landed the apostles in this situation. Faith and trust in Jesus got them out.
Their faith did not decrease and their witness increased. Consider the following:
- No man can stop us from proclaiming the gospel.
- No one stops the spread of the gospel, not even in places where Christians are being persecuted and killed.
- Persecution exposes the imposter in the church and causes them to cut and run.
- We should never be ashamed of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Would a time of persecution cause you to stand up for Jesus or shrink into the crowd?Do you boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus daily in a sinful world?
Does the world see Jesus in you?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Is Pleasant Valley boldly proclaiming Jesus outside the walls of the church? What are you doing to help Pleasant Valley further the cause of Jesus outside the church walls? When persecution comes, where will Pleasant Valley be?
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