8th Jun 26 | 14:45
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Teaching and preaching the Gospel
📖 Acts 15:33-35
Acts 15 - Series 2/Episode 30 - Wed, 06th May 2026 - Teaching and preaching the Gospel - Acts 15:22-35 - THE ANNOUNCEMENT - Matthew 28:18-20
Acts 15:33-35 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. (34) However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. (35) Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
The church in Antioch was fulfilling the great commission. Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
The task for all of us is to fulfil the great commission. As we look at the scenario around us, it seems threatening. The forces that are against the Gospel seem to be gaining ground. Is this the time for us to refrain from sharing the Gospel? No. We must go forward in accomplishing the Gospel.
Let us look at the model that the early church set for us in the face of severe opposition. Acts 4:18-20 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. (19) But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
In this instance, the leaders threatened them and let the apostles go. Acts 4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.
This was not the outcome in other occurrences. Acts 5:17-18 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.
The Lord opened the door of the prison and told the apostles to go to the temple and preach the Gospel. Acts 5:19-20 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."
This is what the apostles did. Acts 5:25 So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
The leaders were furious with the apostles. Acts 5:28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"
The apostles gave the same answer as they gave in the first occasion. This is what our answer has to be as disciples of Christ, every time we are threatened/opposed/restricted from sharing the Gospel. Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
The leaders decided to kill the apostles. Acts 5:33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.
This is what will happen to us too in these days as we share the Gospel. The threat to us will be our lives. What will be our response? As the scenario around us gets more ominous, we must purpose in our hearts to share the Gospel, whatever may be the cost we may have to pay, including that of our lives.
In these threatening times, the Lord also raises relief and release for us, from strange places. In this situation, the relief and release for the apostles came through a wise Pharisee named Gamaliel. Acts 5:34-39. The leaders agreed with the views of Gamaliel.
Acts 5:40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
The leaders agreed with Gamaliel. They should have let the apostles go free. They did let them go, but only after beating the apostles. As I look at that beating, anger wells up within me. What was the reason the leaders had for beating the apostles? They had decided that they had nothing against the apostles, so why should they beat them?
This is the cruelty and injustice that we must be prepared to face for sharing the Gospel. Consider the defiance of the apostles and the church in response to the edict of the rulers. Acts 5:41-42 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. (42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Will we be willing to commit right now that we will not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ, whatever the cost?
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