In Acts 4, what happened when the apostles were commanded NOT to teach or preach in the name of Jesus? Did they stop? Not a chance. Water baptism? In the name of Jesus. (Acts 2:37-42; I Corinthians 6:11; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 8:26-40) Signs and wonders? In the name of Jesus. (Mark 16:17) Healing? In the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:30) Casting out demons? In the name of Jesus. (Luke 10:17)
Further, whenever the apostles entered a city, they were known to cause division and strife. Either the apostles were hated by the people for preaching Jesus, or loved. In those days, there was no place for sitting on the fence. Believers were either fully committed to preaching the gospel or they were not. Indeed, these knew from whence came their salvation, and were willing to lose their earthly life for their Saviour.
Paul wrote to the faithful in Christ Jesus at Ephesus, "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and set [Him] at His own right hand in the heavenly [places] ... which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:1-23)
We can either subscribe to the modern day religious culture (that is supposed to be based on His Word) or the very stone which the builders rejected, which in fact is Jesus. (Ephesians 4:19-22; Acts 4:11-12) Your choice? But at the end of the day, whether we like it or not, EVERY KNEE WILL BOW AND DECLARE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11; Isaiah 45:12; Hebrews 13:8)
Stand in the offering plate.
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