Reading for the next few days:
Thursday, November 14: Acts 4 – 6
Friday, November 15: Acts 7 – 8

Filled with the Holy Spirit the Apostles are sent out into the world. As they are sent, persecution begins. Stephen is stoned in chapter 7. The Apostles are flogged in chapter 5. Jesus had warned them the road ahead would be difficult.

Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death,
and you will be hated by all nations because of my name.
(Matthew 24:9)

‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 
(Matthew 10: 16-18)

Despite a constant reminder, the Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit can do none other than proclaim the name and grace of Christ! While they experience hardship, here’s what I love, as Luke writes the Book of Acts, just after they were flogged:

As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.
(Acts 5:41-42)

Would you be so faithful to rejoice in persecution? I’m not sure I would, but thanks be to God these first witnesses were empowered to do none other than proclaim the name of Christ!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Saturday, November 16: Acts 9 – 10
Sunday, November 17: Acts 11 – 13
Monday, November 18: Acts 14 – 15