January 13, 2023 -- Acts 5:27-32 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Boldness in Witnessing

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Acts 5:27-32 ESV

Who is the hardest person to evangelize? Is it a hardened atheist? Is it a family member? Here in today’s passage Peter and John are speaking boldly before the Jewish leadership. These men met Jesus. The Jewish leadership had heard of His miracles. Heard His teaching. They refused to surrender to Him. They were hard soil, for sure. How is it that Peter and John were prepared to face their accusations and persecutions?

First of all they, and all the believers, prayed. Do not miss this. The believers gathered regularly and prayed that the knowledge of Jesus Christ would roll across Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

Second, the Spirit of God lives in them. Sometimes, erroneously, believers focus on the Holy Spirit as if the Spirit Himself is Whom to be celebrated, hoarded and expressed. Not so. Whenever the Spirit works in power, the Name of Jesus Christ is lifted high and people believe in the Name of Jesus. The Spirit of God fills the believer’s heart in such a way that Jesus Himself is the prize, the treasure of the heart. The Spirit, provoking the heart to see and delight in Jesus, then moves the believer to share the joy of Jesus with all and anyone

Third, Peter and John went where the Spirit directed. They preached boldly because their love for Jesus was so infectious they could not keep quiet. When you and I have laid our lives down before Jesus, the soul’s greatest love, then we will speak with whomever is directed into our path. No matter the cost. Even church members, those in the pews beside you, many of them need more than a spiritual habit of going to church; they need Jesus.

Finally, those who know the love of God through the grace of Jesus Christ will obey God rather than men. Such believers speak the Gospel wherever and whenever they can.

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Great Name! Thank You for the beauty of Jesus. Thank You, Father in heaven, for the Spirit Who directs us deeper and further into knowing Jesus Christ and responding to His grace which fills us with the knowledge of Your never-ending love! Inspire us to pray. Bring Christians together in 2023 with a Spirit-fueled desire to see Canada won for Jesus Christ. Open our hearts to be lovingly obedient to Jesus Christ so that by our lives and our words, many will be won to Him. Amen.

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