Saturday, January 1: Acts 4- why all the witnessing.

Why would the apostles and members of the early church risk life and limb to witness to Jesus? An obvious answer is that they believed Jesus. They saw His miracles and believed what He taught. I found another reason in my reading this morning. Verse 12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

The apostles understood that Jesus was the only way of salvation. Plainly said, there are no other options for salvation. No other options to receive the forgiveness of sins and to be saved from this ‘corrupt generation’ (2:40). Following Jesus is the only way out, period, end of options.

I realize this can be a hard pill to chew but there it is in black and white. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. The apostles understood this, appropriated Jesus’ call to witness and explained His story and lived accordingly. Human communication is the only way for the message of Jesus to spread.  So they communicated, proclaimed and witnessed to what they had seen, heard and knew.

Human communication remains the only way to spread the message of Jesus, the message of salvation and forgiveness. And now, add the truth taught in verse 4:12 and it is easy to see why all the witnessing to Jesus.

The Spirit’s reminder … the formula hasn’t changed, the formula is the same today. The only difference is that the witnessing today needs to be through our communication…

O, Lord, teach me to be bold and effective in witnessing to Jesus… Amen.

 

 

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