From one dying man to another with a message of eternity on his lips, so are we in this world among those who are lost. Every child of God is honored and privileged to be partaker of the greatest work known to man: sharing the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In order to carry out our mission, it requires us having knowledge of the Book, boldness and courage.

In “the Acts of the Apostles” we read of how the early disciples faced great persecution due to their obedience to the faith (Rm. 1:5). “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word” (Acts 8:4). Here we learn of how the church in the ancient world emblazoned those Roman roads with the message of redemption because they believed that the soul saving message must be shared with and heard by all. It was because they didn’t want to One Day stand before the judgement seat of Christ having not imparted it (2 Cor. 5:10)! Thanks be to our God for having given us the Book of Acts as it contains so many thought-provoking, spirit-stirring and page-turning examples of how the ancient saints lived out their faith under severe opposition.

In the 2nd chapter of Acts it is written “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…” (Acts 2:42). According to this Scripture, these new converts were receiving instruction from the apostles, men who sat at the feet of Jesus, learning from the Master Teacher Himself, and who were also being guided into all truth (John 16:13). The apostles were daily in the temple, and in every house teaching and preaching Jesus the Christ to these newly added souls (Acts 5:42). This time of instruction lasted from the end of Acts 2 until the beginning of Acts 8, which gave them enough time to learn what they needed to know. When a great persecution arose and they were all scattered, they were ready to take the message with them.

Brethren, we’ve heard it time and again of how blessed we are to be a part of this congregation of the Lord’s people, and oh, how so true this is. Here we all hear the good word of God taught and preached. And so to this I say, “If the light of His presence has brightened your way, O will you not tell of your gladness to-day?” (Pounds, “Tell It Today”)

In Acts 3, we read of how the apostles, Peter and John, healed a lame man “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (Acts 3:6). Then in Acts 4, shortly after this miracle was performed, Peter is preaching to the people, and during his preaching, he and John are put in custody by the Jews due to them “being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). After being questioned by the Sanhedrin, they were commanded “not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18), and then they were released. In Acts 5 it’s written that, “through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch” (Acts 5:12). It was during this time that the apostles healed “sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits” (Acts 5:16). When the high priest and the Sadducees knew about this “they were filled with indignation [over this] and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:17-21). After this event occurred we read of the apostles being brought in before the Sanhedrin again, beaten, and then released.

Brethren, in the aforementioned chapters we learn of the great boldness the apostles had, even in the face of their adversaries, to which we would do well to imitate (1 Cor. 11:1). Now this begs the question: How did they become so bold? I submit to you that it was due to them (1) having “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13), and (2) because they prayed for it (Acts 4:24-30). This ought to be a heartfelt pray-er of ours as well, so that we can speak the word of God with boldness as they did (Acts 4:31), no matter what others may think or say, since after all “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

In Acts 6, we’re introduced to a man named Stephen who was one of seven chosen to aid in resolving a problem that the church was facing. There arose some of the synagogue who were “disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke” (Acts 6:9-10). They persuaded men to speak out against him, stirred up the people, and set up false witnesses against him. In Acts 7, Stephen is standing before the Sanhedrin and all eyes are on him. It’s during this time that he gives his defense before them. He gives a brilliant overview of the Old Testament by firstly mentioning that God raised up Joseph and his brothers rejected him; nevertheless He delivered them. Secondly, God raised up Moses and his brothers rejected him; nevertheless He delivered them. Lastly, God raised up Jesus, you’ve rejected Him, and if you’re ever going to be saved, it’ll be by Him! “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth” (Acts 7:54). “[A]nd they cast him out of the city and stoned him” (Acts 7:58). These Jews murdered an innocent man. And why did they do it? All because he preached to them the message they needed to hear, and not the one they wanted to hear. Doubtlessly, this took great courage!

Brethren, we have no easy task set before us; however, we have everything needed in order to be victorious (2 Pet. 1:3). For us to be more courageous we’ll have to step outside our comfort zone, which can include approaching others with the gospel, sharing God’s Word on social media, etc.

May we ever strive to increase our knowledge of God’s word, be bolder believers, and more courageous Christians! Take heart my brethren, with God we can do this!