Evangelism – Facing Opposition reminds us that it is easy to share our faith when people are willing to listen. But what happens when speaking about Jesus brings opposition?
The Apostle Peter knew a thing or two about facing struggles. He found himself in jail, on trial, at the hands of the very people who killed the Lord of Glory. But Peter doesn’t remain silent through all of this. He faced opposition head on and witnessed his faith. We aren’t promised the religious freedoms we enjoy. I praise God that we don’t face public persecution for our faith.
Jail Time
Acts 4 gives us a powerful example. Peter and John had been publicly proclaiming that Jesus had risen from the dead. The religious leaders were so disturbed by their message that they arrested them and put them in jail. Peter and John were doing exactly what God wanted them to do, yet God did not prevent them from experiencing opposition. The next day, Peter and John stood before some of the most powerful religious leaders in Jerusalem. They had plenty of reasons to be intimidated. Instead, Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” boldly proclaimed that the man they had healed had been healed through Jesus Christ—the same Jesus whom these leaders had crucified and whom God had raised from the dead.
Peter was also remarkably clear about the heart of the Christian message: salvation is found in Jesus alone. The authorities were astonished by the courage of these ordinary, unschooled men. What made the difference? They recognized that Peter and John “had been with Jesus.”
These Days…
Christians today may experience opposition in different ways. We may face criticism, uncomfortable conversations, damaged relationships, or pressure to keep our beliefs to ourselves. Our temptation may be to pray simply that God remove those difficulties. The early Christians prayed differently. When threatened, they prayed, “Lord…enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” That is a prayer worth making our own. Christian boldness does not mean being rude, argumentative, or insensitive. It means loving people enough to speak clearly about the Savior they need. We ask God not merely for easier circumstances, but for courage, wisdom, and opportunities to keep telling others about Jesus.
Want to hear more? Watch this week’s study, Evangelism – Facing Opposition.