Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.”
Acts 5:17- 20a
Acts 5
Knowing What to Speak
“The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.” Proverbs 16:23
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.’ ” Acts 5:29-31
Pray for a wise heart that teaches the mouth to speak with grace and love and show forth through our lips the word of God to those who are perishing.
Pray also that we know when to speak; and that we be knowledgeable in the word of God and know when to stand against those who would try to thwart the preaching of the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
They Would Not Quit
“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, ‘Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.’ And when they heard, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.” Acts 5:17-21 (KJB)
Thinking of our Christian brothers and sisters in nations where the gospel of Jesus Christ is not received in a spirit of freedom. I salute you, and thank you for not quitting. I also ask you to pray for us here in the United States of America; for though we are free; having the freedom of speech, and freedom of religion there are many who are trying to push the gospel out of the public, and have the word of God stay behind closed doors of our churches.
In the text above we see those who hated Jesus Christ, and had a hand in His crucifixion and death now hating His disciples, locking them in prison, trying to silence the power of God in Jerusalem.
The angel of the Lord freed them without even opening the jail doors (verses 22-26). The angel also sent them to the temple to teach, and they went and taught. They would not quit. They would not be silent.
Neither can the Christian of 2019 be silent of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. People are perishing. There are people dying in their sins. Christian of Africa continue to stand and preach the word of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christian of India, continue to preach the gospel. Christian of Iran, Iraq, and Turkey continue to preach the word of God.
Christian of the United States of America be faithful to preach the word of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and He rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
They Would Not Quit. Neither should you or I.
The Fire and Hammer 