Have you ever been afraid to talk about Jesus with someone? I believe most of us have. In America we don't have consequences by law like other countries, so what do we fear mostly? Judgement, a social stigma, losing "friends"... For what little is to be "lost" for sharing Christ, you would think that we would be more extroverted about our faith. Yet, so many of us are afraid to speak out on what we believe.
In Acts, Peter and John's faith is portrayed as unshakable. They went through persecution as disciples of Jesus. In chapter 4, because of their great affect on the people with the good news of Jesus, they were targeted by religious rulers of the day. Peter and John were arrested and told that they could no longer preach in the name of Jesus. Without missing a beat, they told them in Acts 4:19-20, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (NIV).
They make a convincing argument. Is it better to be right in God's eyes or man's? They were released from prison and free to speak as they wished, as the religious rulers couldn't keep them when they held so much favor in the public's eye. After they returned to their home, they shared what was going on with their friends and family. The people were inspired with their boldness and prayed that God would fill them with boldness too.
When we speak with boldness when the Holy Spirit leads us (not being pushy), we are rewarded. Don't be afraid of the consequences when you have God on your side. If He is for us, than who can come against us? Boldly proclaim your faith like Peter and John did so well.
Acts 4:23-31 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (ESV)
In Acts, Peter and John's faith is portrayed as unshakable. They went through persecution as disciples of Jesus. In chapter 4, because of their great affect on the people with the good news of Jesus, they were targeted by religious rulers of the day. Peter and John were arrested and told that they could no longer preach in the name of Jesus. Without missing a beat, they told them in Acts 4:19-20, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (NIV).
They make a convincing argument. Is it better to be right in God's eyes or man's? They were released from prison and free to speak as they wished, as the religious rulers couldn't keep them when they held so much favor in the public's eye. After they returned to their home, they shared what was going on with their friends and family. The people were inspired with their boldness and prayed that God would fill them with boldness too.
When we speak with boldness when the Holy Spirit leads us (not being pushy), we are rewarded. Don't be afraid of the consequences when you have God on your side. If He is for us, than who can come against us? Boldly proclaim your faith like Peter and John did so well.
Acts 4:23-31 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (ESV)
Comments
Post a Comment