Ancient Words For Today - 83
There is an interesting account in the Book of Acts, Chapters 3 and 4, about how God used a healing miracle to draw people to Jesus Christ. As Peter and John were going to the temple at the hour of prayer they passed by a man who was lame from birth. The lame man asked them for alms. Here is what happened:
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. Acts 3:4-10
When Peter entered the temple he preached the gospel message to those who saw the healed man walking, leaping and praising God. Peter explained how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ had been foretold by all the prophets and that they needed to repent and believe on Jesus so that their sins could be blotted out. As a result, 5,000 men believed upon Jesus Christ for their salvation. Peter preached a powerful sermon that brought 5,000 souls into the Kingdom of God! That Peter could preach so boldly to the people, after having denied three times that he even knew Jesus (the evening before Jesus was crucified), is a miracle in itself - demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through Peter.
Not everyone was pleased with Peter's message. As Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. They arrested Peter and John, and the next day brought them before the High Priest and rulers of the Jews and elders and scribes. Peter boldly preached the gospel message to them as well:
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:8-12
The rulers, wanting to stop the further spread of the gospel message, commanded Peter and John not to speak or teach any more in the name of Jesus. Their immediate response was: Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ (quoting from Psalm 2)... And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (from Acts 4:19-31)
There are similar mixed results when the gospel is preached today - some people, hearing the gospel of salvation through Christ, believe and are saved. Others reject Jesus and His offer of salvation through faith in Him, to their own destruction. Those who reject the gospel message may do so by ignoring it, ridiculing it, accepting false spiritual beliefs (contrary to the gospel), or joining religious organizations that worship false gods and teach false doctrine. Some unbelievers may even seek to stamp out the gospel through legislation against it and by persecuting those who believe it.
It is God's desire that all people hear the gospel and come to repentance. Salvation through faith in Christ is available to every person, but only those who hear the good news and believe it are saved. God empowered Peter and John to boldly proclaim the gospel message in spite of opposition or the threat of harm to themselves. God has called and empowered every believer to do the same, by sharing their faith with others, so that they too can believe on Jesus. Are there some people you know that you can share the gospel with?
Dear Heavenly Father, please give us the opportunities and boldness to share the Gospel message with those who are lost. Amen.