PREACHING WITHOUT CEASING DESPITE CEASELESS PERSECUTION
WOREKA ASƐMPA NO A WONNYAE A ƐMFA HO WƆ ƆTAA A ƐNNYAE WO SO BA NO
Acts 5:17-20,28,29,42
Preaching without ceasing implies that we tell sinners around us of the saving gospel every day and at every opportunity. Satan, society and circumstances would try to stop us by confronting us with ceaseless persecution. Some of the persecutions could be slander or criticism intended to pierce our hearts and make us reconsider preaching. Persecution could also be actions that hurt the body or affect everything about us. In spite of these, we are to forge ahead whether the persecutions are common or uncommon, habitual or occasional. Moreover, we must understand that those who would live godly shall suffer persecution. As a result, we must prepare ourselves for it and resolve not to quit evangelising though we feel the pain and the persecution comes through trusted, familiar or unknown people. Our consecration should be to teach and preach Christ “daily in the temple, and in every house” without ceasing.
- THE COMPELLING COMMAND OF THE ANGEL FROM HEAVEN.
Acts 5:19,20
The great commission is so important that an angel was sent to instruct the apostles to “Go, stand and speak in the temple” after opening the prison doors for them. The purpose of the miraculous release was not for them to take a vacation from telling “the people all the words of [eternal] life”.
- Go, Liberating Souls with the Gospel of God. Mark 16:15,16; Acts 16:9,10
The words of any angel from the Lord will not be different from Christ’s. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”. Any angel that says anything contrary to Christ’s command is not from God. And as we go preaching, it should be with the good news and glad tidings of the gospel. Those who claim to see visions but never go to liberate souls with the gospel should learn from Apostle Paul’s response to the Macedonian call. Some of the people in need of the gospel are in dangerous, secluded places, practising forbidden religions. Irrespective of where sinners are, Christ’s command to us is to go to them and penetrate their hearts with the gospel.
- Stand, Lifting Up the Standard of God (Gyina hɔ, Na Ma Onyankopɔn susudua no so) Ephesians 6:14,15; Philippians 1:27,28
Attaching more value to daily news than to the message of Christ will make us weak in faith. Conversely, those who pay more attention to heaven will be strong enough to stand. This standing is based on the standard gospel of repentance, salvation and faith in Christ for eternal life. Any gospel that veers off these is substandard. As we present the gospel, it must be with firmness and courage to convince our listeners that ours is the standard of the word of God. More so, the righteous and upright life we lead adds to our testimony.
- Speak, Leading All to the Salvation of God. Titus 2:11-15
There is no point speaking if our preaching is shrouded with morals, current affairs, politics and mundane things. We are commanded to speak the word of salvation. Speaking to lead sinners to salvation should not be with timidity, fear or distraction. Our body language shows whether we are sure of or doubt the experience we present. After sinners are won to the Lord and become saints, we must lead them to know that they “should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”.
- THEIR COURAGEOUS COORDINATION WITH ADDICTION TO HARVESTING
Acts 5:28,21
The apostles were addicted to preaching the gospel to harvest souls out of the field where they were being wasted and bring them into the Kingdom. They all occupied in the work the Lord called them to do.
- Collective Obedience in One Accord for Harvesting . Acts 5:21,25; 8:4
The apostles “entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught” because sinners were already there at that hour. We must emulate them by taking the gospel message to sinners around us early on in the day. The persecutors also came together early to form a council. If the people of the world are so committed to whatever they do, we should equally give our best to harvesting souls in one accord. If we “went every where preaching the word”, we will not find time to gossip, backbite or engage in discussions about non-essentials.
- Conscientiously Occupied in One Assignment without Hesitation Acts 5:28,29,42
Peter and the other apostles were occupied conscientiously with spreading the gospel. They did not hesitate despite being accused by the council of intending “to bring [Christ’s] blood upon [them]”. Recall that when they compelled Pilate to crucify Jesus, the chief priests and elders had declared, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matthew 27:25). Now, they want to wriggle out of it. They had said what they could not bear. Unlike them, we should live and order our words in a way that will not subject us to the judgment of God.
The response of the apostles was, “We ought to obey God rather than men”. This should be our stance as well. Persecutors inflict torment on believers because they want us to obey them and disobey God. However, we must continue to obey the Lord and not give in to their oppression, which is only temporary. In addition, the husband or wife should not play God in the life of their spouse who intends to obey God’s instruction. Likewise, members of the local church should not persecute their pastor for standing on the word of God.
- Converting Outcome with One Affection for Heaven .Acts 3:19,26; 15:3
Souls were converted due to the apostles’ obedience to God. Till date, conversion remains the goal and outcome of the preaching ministry. “And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren”.
- THE CONSTANT COMMITMENT OF THE APOSTLES OF HOLINESS
Acts 5:29-32,40
The apostles were constantly committed to the work of the Lord. Harassment and beating did not stop them from telling people of how to come out of their haughtiness, pride and hypocrisy, to holiness so they can get to heaven. Thus, “daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ”. We must note that total obedience to all the commandments of God, including preaching the Word, is what spells holiness in our lives.
- The Restrictive, Contrary Commands of Men (Nnipa Ahyɛdeɛ A Ɛsi Kwan Na Ɛbɔ Abira) Acts 4:18-20
People may bully and threaten us against speaking the whole counsel of God. They may try to decide our syllabus and doctrine. Yet, we must remain courageous while maintaining our gentle nature, and not be cowered by them. Like Peter and John, our response should be, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye”. If our persecutors, with only their human spirit, are bold to attempt to stop us, then we who have the Holy Spirit should be bolder and continue to obey the Lord.
- The Resilient, Courageous Commitment to the Ministry
Acts 5:29
Believers who are resilient have the staying power to be committed to the ministry of soulwinning. Whatever the opposition, contradiction or persecution, they have the courage “to obey God rather than men”. Our undergraduate students should not yield to their fellows who aim to control their lives by prodding them to ungodly acts so as not to be antisocial. Similarly, workers must not fall for colleagues whose objective is to compel them to join the unchristian practices in their offices and marketplaces.
(iii) The Reinvigorating Comforter’s Companionship with the Ministers. Acts 5:32
The Holy Spirit, who is the Comforter, reenergizes, re-empowers and revives us to be “his witnesses”. When He is resident in us, we would hear Him more than the persecutors. Whatever people have said or done against us, our commitment will be to obey the Lord. As we do, He will, in turn, give us more power, strength, skill, vision, energy, vitality, anointing and unction of the Holy Ghost for more ministerial exploits.
