Month: February 2023

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

The leaders had stated their final position and it seemed as though it was the end of the road for witnessing to Christ.  This is where we see an amazing declaration by Peter and John.

This is the Biblical basis for the church in responding to the threats, punishments and laws that are being passed to put an end to the witnessing to the name of Jesus. 

Peter and John were speaking with leaders who knew the law, so, Peter and John could call on the God of Moses, as the basis for their response to the decree.  These leaders could relate to the statement of Peter and John. 

In our circumstances, we may not have the privilege that Peter and John had.  Our audiences could be those who completely negate anything to do with the God of heaven and earth.  Yet, this is the basis on which we must respond to those who intend to act violently against our witness.  We take our stand on the God of heaven and earth, whether our audiences acknowledge Him or they do not. 

I Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

In this matter of fullness of life, of which God alone is the source, we must make our audiences know that we will obey God.  Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.  This must be the unified voice of His church. 

Right through the Bible, we see examples of God’s people who took a stand on issues and made their audience know that they will speak only what the Lord has given them to speak.  In doing so, they had to undergo much suffering. The suffering did not deter these people of God. 

I Kings 22:13-14 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.” (14) And Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak.”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego did not fear for their lives but they took their stand and made it known to Emperor Nebuchadnezzar that they would not bow to his golden image. Daniel 3:18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

The emperor was furious and had the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.  Then these three young men were thrown into the blazing furnace but what took place? 

Daniel 3:24-26 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” (25) “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (26) Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.

The Lord honoured the faith of these three men.  They were saved from the fire and they were also elevated in their rank in the government service. 

As we look at history we also know that it has not always been that when we take a stand for Jesus that matters will turn in our favour.  We know that many of God’s people who took a stand and refused to obey the authorities in not witnessing for Christ have had to lay down their lives. 

Hebrews 11:32-38 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:(33) who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34) quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (35) Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. (36) Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. (37) They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— (38) of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

Let us be encouraged that we are one with those who are the heroes of faith in Jesus.

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Acts 4:15-18 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, (16) saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (17) But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” (18) So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

The leaders were concerned that the message of Jesus should not spread further among the people. The leaders thought that this was only a human idea that could be stamped out. They were of the view that if they sufficiently threatened and punished the disciples of Jesus, then the message of Jesus would not spread.  

The leaders did not realise the power of the Gospel of Jesus. *It is impossible to contain the Gospel.* The Gospel is not just head knowledge, but *the Gospel so affects us that the Gospel cannot be separated from us*.  

When the Gospel reached Thessalonica through Apostle Paul and the team, we see the way the Gospel spread throughout the entire region.  

I Thessalonians 1:5-8 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. (6) And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, (7) so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. (8) For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

The Gospel came, not only by words but by power and in the Holy Spirit and in great confidence. The Gospel could not be separated from the lives of those who went to Thessalonica to share the Gospel. The Gospel spread to every place.  

When the leaders of the world do their very best to stop the spread of the Gospel they are left shocked, for the Gospel cannot be separated from the lives of those who are impacted by it.  

What is it that happens in a person, because of the Gospel that makes the Gospel inseparable from the person?

It is the life of Christ that manifests from the person’s life. The life of Christ is displayed in the fruit of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of grace and He makes it possible for a person who earlier lived a self-centred life to now become fully concerned for the well-being of others.  

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

These are the graces that are demonstrated in the life of a person transformed by the Gospel. By these attributes, a person transformed by the Gospel becomes a blessing to others. This then is infectious and those impacted are also drawn to the Gospel. Thus, there is the spread of the Gospel.  

There can be no law that can be passed that prevents the beautiful qualities of the Holy Spirit to be displayed in a person. The leaders could pass a law saying that there should be no speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus but they could not pass a law preventing the display of the character of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples of Jesus.  

This is what we as His church must be assured. The leaders of the world cannot stop the spread of the Gospel because we are a part of the Gospel and the Gospel, is a part of us. Even if they put us to death, they cannot stop the spread of the Gospel. All of Jesus’ disciples, except for John, were martyred and the church has been established all over the world.  

A beautiful example of the impact of the Gospel in a person’s life is the life of Zacchaeus. He was an evil man who was selfish. Look at what happened to him because of the Gospel.  

Luke 19:8-10 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” (9) And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; (10) for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

This is God’s purpose in the life of each person through His Gospel. The devil’s agenda is to destroy lives. Whereas, the Gospel is about abundant life. John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The Gospel will spread, whatever the world may do to His church.

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Acts 4:15-18 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, (16) saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (17) But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” (18) So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Though this was considered as a finality to the whole matter of witnessing in the name of Jesus, did the work of the Gospel stop?  Has the growth of His kingdom been curtailed over time?  It has not. 

Yes, leaders and governments must be respected and their laws must be obeyed.  Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. As we read this passage till the 7th verse, we see that Scripture has instructed us to be subject to the governing authorities, for they are God’s ministers for the good of the people. 

Yet, when it comes to the matter of witnessing to Christ and bringing people to faith in Jesus, we must obey God.

Why is this so? 

This is because governments and authorities are only responsible for the things pertaining to this life but the matter of eternity and relationship with God is beyond the purview of rulers, authorities, and governments. 

Unless a person receives Christ into his life as Lord, that person will perish.  John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. This is why we must share the good news with a world that is perishing without surrendering to God. 

Therefore, though the leaders took an extreme position, passing a law, preventing the teaching, or preaching in the name of Jesus, the disciples continued to witness the name of Jesus. Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

They were arrested again but the Lord encouraged them to continue to teach and preach in the name of Jesus.  Acts 5:19-20 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, (20) “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

Yet again the leaders reiterated their final position that there should be no teaching or preaching in the name of Jesus.  Act 5:40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The witnessing did not stop but continued. 

What took place then and what has been taking place all through the centuries is the fulfilment of what the Lord told His disciples.  Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This was the great commission that the Lord gave His disciples, which is being fulfilled.  Luke 24:46-49 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, (47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) And you are witnesses of these things. (49) Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

As His disciples did then, let us also praise the Lord that we are counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. Acts 5:41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

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