Why were Peter and John able to take such abysmal treatment from their Jewish opponents? How were they able to take threats and beatings but then keep on teaching? 

Obviously, they had amazing faith in Jesus. However, I want to comment on another benefit they had going for them. We can read it in Acts 4:23.

“When they were released, the went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them” (ESV).

When Peter and John faced their enemies, they had friends upon whom they could rely. They could go back to others who would encourage them, praise them and lift them up. Sadly, all too often, the reason we back off from boldly proclaiming the Gospel is because the friends we most rely on for support are the very ones we are afraid will abandon us if we teach the Gospel.

Obviously, we have to make friends with those who aren’t Christians, salt does no good if it never comes in contact with the unsalted. However, the friends on whom we rely the most had better be friends that will encourage us in what is right when the times are tough. Otherwise, we might end up caving along with our friends. We must choose our best friends carefully. Our souls will depend on it.

ELC

No, I don’t mean evangelizing like Pentecostals. I mean evangelism like the apostles did on the day of Pentecost. 

Have you ever stopped to think what caused folks to listen to the Apostles in Acts 2? Why did the people come rushing to the spot where the 12 were gathered? Was it because they liked the 12? Was it because the 12 offered money? Was it because the 12 offered entertainment? Did they advertise a musical? Did they promise comedy?

No. The people came rushing because of the work of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:2, the Holy Spirit made a humongous sound like that of a rushing mighty wind. People from all over Jerusalem showed up. But then they stayed and continued to listen because of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit granted the apostles the ability to speak in other languages and everybody could tell these men were just Galileans, yet all could here their native tongues.

When we start thinking about evangelism, we need to do exactly what the apostles did. We need to rely on the work of the Holy Spirit. Granted, I Corinthians 12 teaches that the miraculous working of the Spirit through personal gifts such as speaking in tongues would cease when the Word was fully revealed. Therefore, we can no longer wait for the Holy Spirit to make a rushing mighty wind sound. We can no longer rely on the Spirit to give us utterance in foreign tongues. But we can let the Spirit attract attention by walking in His fruit.

Galatians 5:22-25 says we should let the Spirit lead us. When we do, we will have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Let me ask you. Do you think if a whole bunch of us actually started living with these virtues that the world might stand up and take notice? 

Let’s quit relying on our gimmicks. Who needs the power lift team? Who needs comedians? Who needs rock bands? We have the Holy Spirit. The apostles relied on Him to attract the attention of the world. Let’s do the same today.

ELC