12. And 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.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.
16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” Act 5 : 12 - 20.
19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” Act 5 : 12 - 20.
As it was in the beginning of the era when Christians started preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ , so it is even today.Then and now , preaching the Truth of the Gospel of Christ filled the rulers of this world with indignation. The governments and the peoples of some nations in this world condemn the preaching of the undiluted Gospel of Christ as "Hate Crime" and as " offensive and inciting statements !".
In many nations today, Christians are chastised and sanctioned whenever they express their opinions about anything ; opinions which are based on their faith in the word of God.In such countries, speaking the Truth in the Bible is regarded as making " offensive" and "politically incorrect " statements; therefore in some nations , it is an offence punishable by loss of jobs , ostracism, imprisonment and even by death ; for Christians to express their faith in the word of God as declared in the Bible .
Recently ,in one of such "civilised countries",there were protests when a top politician ,during an interview spoke from his perspective of his Christian faith and expressed his Bible- based opinion of homosexuality ; a lifestyle which is not approved by the word of God.
There was an uproar against him for saying "such offensive words" !
There was an uproar against him for saying "such offensive words" !
Some members of the public ; especially people in his constituency , dared him to repeat and confirm what he said about homosexuality .
The harassed politician, for fear of losing his job, had to tread softly by issuing a watered- down statement which was a sort of denial of what he actually believed to be the Truth in the Bible .
It is now regarded as the "civilized , proper and acceptable" thing for people to joke, use swear words and utter statements which ridicule and condemn the word of the Christian God . Few people would bat an eyelid when non-Christians make public statements which are blasphemous , hate-filled and downright disrespectful and antagonistic regarding Christian doctrines.
Indeed , these are the days of persecution of Christians all over the world .
Least of the list of anti-Christian attacks is the institutionalised and determined efforts to stifle and silence the preaching of the Gospel , even when preached from church pulpits inside churches.
Sadly, this hatred and antagonism against the Gospel Truth has intimidated and bullied some Christians into silent retreat .
For this reason , some Christians now, have become secret disciples who visit Christ at night only. John 3:1.
Some Church ministers , when preaching sermons , can be heard trying very hard , to not be "offensive" by NOT nailing the Truth of the Gospel on the head.
Some Christians would not even be bold enough to step out and win souls by obeying the mandate given by Christ in the Great Commission . Matthew 9; 35-38; 28:16-20 .
When push comes to shove, even fewer would bother to take their stand on the Truth in Bible when they are faced with threats to their lives, source of income and to their self-esteem.
The days are evil indeed. The Enemies of the Cross have become desperately violent because the evil spirits who drive these Satanic sons and daughters of men know that their time is running out and that the Bridegroom is coming with fire in His eyes and with His reward and judgement in His hand.
Least of the list of anti-Christian attacks is the institutionalised and determined efforts to stifle and silence the preaching of the Gospel , even when preached from church pulpits inside churches.
Sadly, this hatred and antagonism against the Gospel Truth has intimidated and bullied some Christians into silent retreat .
For this reason , some Christians now, have become secret disciples who visit Christ at night only. John 3:1.
Some Church ministers , when preaching sermons , can be heard trying very hard , to not be "offensive" by NOT nailing the Truth of the Gospel on the head.
Some Christians would not even be bold enough to step out and win souls by obeying the mandate given by Christ in the Great Commission . Matthew 9; 35-38; 28:16-20 .
When push comes to shove, even fewer would bother to take their stand on the Truth in Bible when they are faced with threats to their lives, source of income and to their self-esteem.
The days are evil indeed. The Enemies of the Cross have become desperately violent because the evil spirits who drive these Satanic sons and daughters of men know that their time is running out and that the Bridegroom is coming with fire in His eyes and with His reward and judgement in His hand.
In times like this , FOCUS is the guiding word for Christians
Be focused on Christ who called you ; not on the agenda of the defeated foe and his agents.
" If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first ". John 15:18.
Christ is the One who has prepared thrones and crowns of glory awaiting His own people .He was hated , He was threatened , mocked and rejected; but Christ overcame all and He has given Christians His peace and victory .
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world ". John 16:33.
Be focused on Christ who called you ; not on the agenda of the defeated foe and his agents.
" If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first ". John 15:18.
Christ is the One who has prepared thrones and crowns of glory awaiting His own people .He was hated , He was threatened , mocked and rejected; but Christ overcame all and He has given Christians His peace and victory .
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world ". John 16:33.
Receive the anointing of strength and boldness by the power of the Holy Ghost.
The Circle of Glory is complete and continuous in the ministry of the preaching of the Gospel of Christ .
Be strengthened and be focused on this Circle of Glory .
This Circle of Glory starts and is PROGRESSIVELY revolving as God is being glorified when His work is accomplished on the earth ; by the power of the Holy Ghost through the lives of His faithful sons and daughters who are Abiding in Christ and doing God's word .
The Circle of Glory is complete and continuous in the ministry of the preaching of the Gospel of Christ .
Be strengthened and be focused on this Circle of Glory .
This Circle of Glory starts and is PROGRESSIVELY revolving as God is being glorified when His work is accomplished on the earth ; by the power of the Holy Ghost through the lives of His faithful sons and daughters who are Abiding in Christ and doing God's word .
7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
John 3: 7-9.
John 3: 7-9.
When we bear fruits, God is glorified ; but the enemies of the Cross are filled with wrath.
Their wrath spawns their persecution of God's people . Acts 5 : 12 - 18.
Persecution of Christians results in the Dispersal of the Fire of the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth ; with signs and wonders confirming the preaching of the word of God everywhere .
God is glorified when the results of persecution against the Body of Christ are increase , stability and signs and wonders confirming the word preached by His people .
Hallelujah !
Be assured that the gates of Hell cannot prevail against the Church of Jesus Christ.
Christians and the Church CANNOT be overcome by the evil agenda of the Enemies of the Cross.
Faithful is the Lord of the Harvest and He is able to deliver His people ; even to the uttermost .
"19. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”Act 5: 19-20.
Their wrath spawns their persecution of God's people . Acts 5 : 12 - 18.
Persecution of Christians results in the Dispersal of the Fire of the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth ; with signs and wonders confirming the preaching of the word of God everywhere .
God is glorified when the results of persecution against the Body of Christ are increase , stability and signs and wonders confirming the word preached by His people .
Hallelujah !
Be assured that the gates of Hell cannot prevail against the Church of Jesus Christ.
Christians and the Church CANNOT be overcome by the evil agenda of the Enemies of the Cross.
Faithful is the Lord of the Harvest and He is able to deliver His people ; even to the uttermost .
"19. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”Act 5: 19-20.
Whatever the challenges faced by Christians , more than ever before , the clarion call to all Believers is : " The ultimate goal of all Christians is to obey God rather then men ! ".
27. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28. Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said,
We ought to obey God rather than men.
We ought to obey God rather than men.
This is not the time when Christians would succumb to threats to their lives or any other types of threats. Now is the TIME when Christians must defy all forms of intimidation and bullying ; whether they are overt or covert .
Brethren, the Harvest is Ripe. Go make disciples of all men .
GO, TEACH and PREACH the Gospel of Christ every where ; all the time.
Matthew 9; 35-38; 28:16-20 .
Brethren, the Harvest is Ripe. Go make disciples of all men .
GO, TEACH and PREACH the Gospel of Christ every where ; all the time.
Matthew 9; 35-38; 28:16-20 .
21. To the one who is victorious, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”…
Revelations 3: 21-22.
"And the Spirit and the bride say "Come!"...... Revelation 22:17.
Amen.
Amen.
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