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ACTS 5:29-42:

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

The story of the Apostles above should be a great example for us. Despite the things and persecutions they went through because of the gospel, they never stopped sharing. Instead, they rejoiced because they were counted worthy of suffering for the Name of Christ.

Asides the first disciples, there is a man who once lived about 227 years ago - John Wesley. He was a revolutionary preacher who did not preach like others. He was firm to the faith of the gospel he received and would not mind the risk of sharing it wherever and whoever.

History has it that most of his troubles and persecution with many including his mother church was based on the fact that he spoke the truth about God’s word with audacity. Indeed, the doctrine of entire sanctification was very dear to his preaching heart.

Not just about John Wesley, up till today, such preaching and ministry still draw a lot of flakes to whosoever ventures into it.

Most people in England never welcomed or tolerated his preaching. It was much more in America that his preaching found better acceptance. There also most of his followers relocated. There also the name the Methodist Church Movement came into being, even though he opposed the idea of a different denominational organization from his most loved Church of England. In 2003, most people in America celebrated his 300 years posthumous birthday anniversary.

Did you follow that story right? A man stood for the truth of the gospel he received and though he met rejection by the people around him, never gave-up on God’s call on his life. Years later, God raised a movement in his hands which became and is still a blessing to many nations of the World today.

Remember, Jesus in John 17 said that we will not be accepted in the world because of the word He gave to us. Many people in the world do not want to hear such words. They are bitter pills. However, the Lord promised us his ever abiding presence through the hating world if we continue in His word.

In all, we must make everything possible to stand on God's word. Only God's word is worthy to be obeyed like Peter said in the opening scripture. When we look back to see that those gone before us were able to stand firm even in the face of trials, then we got no excuse.

PRAYER:

From henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

REFLECTION:

Truths will always prevail, no matter what

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