What do you get when you combine two
uneducated fishermen and a crippled beggar? Very little of any consequence from
the world’s perspective. But when Jesus is added to the mix, a powerful force
emerges that significantly impacts the lives and destinies of multitudes.
It was early summer AD 30, about 3:00 in
the afternoon, as a couple of unimposing Galileans headed toward the Jewish
temple in Jerusalem. Reaching the beautifully ornamented gate on the eastern
side of the compound, they encountered a lame man requesting financial
assistance. Beyond his physical disability and poor economic state, however,
his greatest need was the spiritual condition of his immortal soul.
Although nothing of any monetary value was
available to share at the time, there was something worth so much more. “In the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” the beggar was told, “rise up and walk”
(Acts 3:6 NKJV). “Immediately,” the record states, his feet and ankle bones were
strengthened, and for the first time in over four decades he was able to stand
on his own. Not only that, he began to walk and to leap in the air,
entering the temple praising God (vv. 7-11). As a crowd soon gathered, the pair
of evangelists recognized a golden opportunity to share good news and spent the
next several hours teaching these eager listeners about the crucified and risen
Lord (vv. 12-26). By evening, before antagonists could interrupt the evangelistic
campaign, multitudes had been won to Christ (4:1-4).
The two apostles were then taken into
custody and the next day brought before the Jewish High Court. Since Jesus had
stood before these very same adjudicators just a few weeks earlier, and
considering what eventually happened to him, John and Peter were almost certainly
on trial for their lives. Yet remarkably they regarded this as another
opportunity to proclaim the message of Christ, concluding their address with
the challenging words: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no
other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (vv. 5-12).
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter
and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they
marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (v. 13). How did these officials know that the two defendants had been with Jesus? Perhaps
they had been seen in his company during his earthly ministry.
More likely it was because they were exhibiting the same confidence,
conviction, and courage that Christ himself had only recently demonstrated
before this court. Jesus had made a lasting impression on these
simple fishermen, and it showed!
But Peter and John were not the only ones
appearing before the Sanhedrin that day. The greatest testimony presented on
this occasion was not anything spoken by either of these preachers. “And seeing
the man who had been healed standing
with them,” the accusers “could say nothing against it” (v. 14). Someone else
who had been immeasurably impacted by the Lord was “standing up” for Jesus!
When demands were then made that there be
no more teaching in Jesus’ name, the two apostles defiantly issued this
response: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than
to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and
heard” (vv. 19-20). Apparently these ill-treated disciples were so committed to
Christ and so convicted by his message that they simply could not be silent.
After being further threatened and then
released, they rejoined their companions, and the first thing they all did
together was pray. Surprisingly they did not ask God to take away the hardships
or to make their lives easier. Understanding that tribulation is an inevitable
reality when living for Christ in an imperfect world, they dutifully implored:
“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to your servants that with all
boldness they may speak Your word” (v. 29). Doing the Lord’s will, even in the
face of adversity, was a priority for these godly servants, and their selfless appeal was
answered (v. 31).
What can we learn from the events recorded
in Acts 3–4 to help us achieve and maintain balance in our evangelistic efforts?
At least three central points are worthy of our consideration.
Be
Truly Converted to Christ
How seriously do I take my Christianity? Do
the people in my life know me primarily as a member of the Lord’s church, or is
it in other capacities that I am principally recognized? Is being a Christian
something I merely profess but do not genuinely practice? Is it something I engage
in only once, twice, or perhaps three times a week? Is my level of commitment
and Bible knowledge any greater now than when I first obeyed the gospel, or am
I slowly regressing toward spiritual stagnation?
To be truly converted to Christ means that
one’s life has been significantly and observably transformed. It was obvious
that Jesus had made a considerable impact on Peter and John, rendering them
incapable of keeping quiet about the gospel message (Acts 4:13, 20). And these
inspired men expected the same response from other converts (cf. 1 Pet. 1:13-25;
2:1-25; 3:13-17; 4:1-19; 1 John 1:3; 2:6; 3:1, 10, 18-24). If observers
see little or no difference in the attitudes and behaviors of one who has been
baptized into the body of Christ, something is terribly wrong.
Years ago as I was preparing to move
overseas as a first-time missionary, a lady from my home congregation tried to
dissuade me, saying, “But we need you here.” I replied: “You and many other
Christians are already here to do the Lord’s work; if I don’t take the gospel
overseas, who will?” The excuses that followed made it apparent that this
professing Christian was satisfied letting someone else do the Lord’s work
where she lived, while countless
souls around the world remained in spiritual darkness.
The Bible says concerning the Lord’s
people that Christ dwells in our hearts through faith (Eph. 3:17). Since Jesus
brings with him the burden of a lost and dying world (Luke 19:10; 1 Tim. 1:15),
he simply cannot reside within us if there is no room in our hearts for that
burden. For the congregation comprised of members who possess the mind of
Christ, evangelism is a top priority, and there are no debates about whether or
not outreach programs are to be included in the budget or if the focus of our
soul winning is to be local or abroad.
Pray
Selfless, Evangelistic Prayers
When Peter and John returned to their
comrades, they promptly gathered to pray (Acts 4:23-30). But unlike some of
the prayers that we tend to offer, bursting into heaven with a long list of
petitions and self-concerns, the apostles first took the time to praise and
acknowledge God for who he is and for all that he has done (v. 24). Though
they were facing severe maltreatment, their chief concern was for the success
of the Lord’s cause as they asked for boldness to continue spreading his word
(v. 29).
While our heavenly Father most certainly
wants our requests to be made known to him (Phil. 4:6), these must surely
include the accomplishing of his will. We ought to regularly pray for the lost
souls in our lives, including family, friends, co-workers, school-mates, and
neighbors. We should also entreat the Lord for opportunities to share our faith
with them. We need to be praying for the evangelistic endeavors of our home
congregation and for the missionaries and mission efforts we support. From
personal experience I can say without reservation that one of the most
encouraging things that can ever be said to a missionary consists of five
simple words: “I am praying for you.” Our God and his perfect will must always be
at the center of our thoughts, prayers, and activities.
Put
Prayers Into Action
Peter and John and their companions,
having prayed for boldness to speak God’s word, “spoke the word of God with
boldness” (Acts 4:31). As Jesus was preparing to send out thirty-five pairs of
missionaries, reminding them of the magnitude of the harvest and scarcity of
workers, he declared: “therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:1-2). And having exhorted these disciples
to pray, the very next word from his lips was “go.”
The Lord’s people are often the very instruments
through which prayers are answered. It does little good to pray for the hungry if we are unwilling to supply food (Matt. 25:42). How will
orphans and widows realistically be helped in their affliction if we pray for
them without practicing pure and undefiled religion before God (Jas.
1:27)? Will it serve any useful purpose
to pray for our lost neighbors if we refuse to share with them the sacred
message that has the power to save their souls (Jas. 1:21)? Undoubtedly if we
pray daily and fervently for those in our lives who are estranged from God, for
opportunities to share God’s word with them, and for courage and wisdom to take
advantage of these opportunities, it will be nearly impossible to just
sit back and remain idle.
Perhaps we are not taking the world for
Christ because too much of our resources are tied up in the local work, which
unfortunately has become necessary to compensate for the lack of involvement of
a large percentage of those who profess to follow Jesus. If members of the
Lord’s church are truly converted to him and are eagerly engaged in
evangelistic praying and putting these prayers into action, then local evangelism
takes care of itself. This in turn frees up more of our resources to be
utilized in taking the gospel beyond the borders of our immediate environs.
Let us be truly converted to Jesus, and
pray selfless, evangelistic prayers, and then put our prayers into action. Only
then will we achieve balance in our outreach, and only then will our purpose in
God’s kingdom be fulfilled.
--Kevin
L. Moore
*This is an abbreviated and modified version of the
article published in Balance in an
Unbalanced World: the 34th Annual Lectureship of ETSPM, ed. James Meadows
(Knoxville, TN: ETSPM, 2008): 212-20.
Related Posts: Ministerial Balance Part 1
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