“Lord Jesus, we pray that with boldness, we will invite people to place their faith in Jesus. People must not perish but must come to eternal life. This is our task as Your church. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
Acts 3:14-16 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, (15) and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. (16) And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Peter and John made a strong assertion of their fundamental task of being disciples of Jesus. They were inviting this crowd of Jews to set their faith in Jesus Christ. They offered the lame man to place his trust in Jesus, which he did and entered the fullness of life. Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
This is our task. we invite people to place their faith in Christ.
The hostility that was against Peter and John was about faith in Jesus. This is the anger that is being raised by the world, against the church, even now.
“You have your faith in Jesus, keep your faith to yourself. How dare you make people place their faith in Jesus? Who is Jesus that we should place our faith in Him? We have lived our lives, all these generations, basing our faith on something else, but now you are telling us to put our trust in Jesus? Who are you and who gave you this authority?”
The world is not interested to hear our response to their line of questioning but has affirmed that we do not have any right to share our faith in Jesus with others, inviting them to come to faith in Christ. The world has decided to shut us down and not allow the church to speak in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:7-11 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” (8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: (9) If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, (10) let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. (11) This is the ‘STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.’
Praise the Lord that Peter and John were able to give a precise, clear, and confident answer to the questions of the leaders. We must be equipped to give accurate answers when each of us is questioned about our faith in Christ.
I Peter 3:14-16 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED.” (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
Yes, it is His Holy Spirit, who will speak through us, in all situations. Mark 13:11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
The church prayed that we should tell people to place their trust in Jesus, with boldness. We should touch the lives of people and release God’s healing into their lives but we must, boldly, invite people to put their faith in Jesus.
Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (31) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and *they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
When the opportunity arises, we must present Christ, in the leading and direction of His Holy Spirit, and welcome the person or persons to give their lives to Christ. It is the Lord who is bringing people to place their trust in Him. He knows those who are His. John 10:16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
He knows those who will place their faith in Him and He is wanting us as His church to be one with Him, in His search, to reach out to people and call them to put their faith in Jesus.