After Pentecost: The Disciples DeployedSample

 Consistent in Their Message

The apostles couldn’t have been surprised when they were found and taken before the Sanhedrin after their escape from prison. God, not man, had set them free, and they had not exactly been quiet after their release. Even so, this was still a new experience for most of the apostles. 

The Sanhedrin were riled up. They did not want to admit they had made a mistake in killing Jesus or had missed the Messiah they had been anticipating. Rather than consider the possibility that the Gospel might be true, they remained callous to the Holy Spirit is conviction. They concerned themselves only with the perceived threat that the Gospel posed to their control and influence in the Jewish community. The accusation they hurled at the apostles expressed a desire to be absolved of guilt, but refusal to confess it. 

The apostles’ response to the Sanhedrin’s accusations offered no such absolution. Instead, they spoke the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth calmly and with confidence, not excusing the Sanhedrin’s role in Jesus’ death, but pointing it out. Then they proclaimed forgiveness through Jesus Christ to those who repent of, or turn away from, their sin. 

Rather than being accusatory, combative, or rude, the apostles’ message was actually a loving one. Their faithfulness to convey the Gospel message in whole, not in part, gave the Sanhedrin an opportunity to repent. Had the Sanhedrin been open to the Holy Spirit, they could have found salvation that day, but they were not. 

The apostles refused to decide for themselves who should or shouldn’t have access to the Gospel or presuppose who would or would nto repent. They simply did their job and gave the Holy Spirit room to do His, just as Jesus had done. 

The Pharisees valued reputation, power, and rank over sincere worship and humility. In conversation with them, Jesus delivered a message that required the Pharisees to admit fault, putting them on the same level as people they considered to be beneath them. They resisted. Their pride kept the Pharisees from hearing the Truth, but did not keep Jesus from proclaiming it. 

What about you? Are you more concerned with pleasing people or seeing them saved? Who determines the content of your Gospel message, your audience or God? Does the Gospel message you proclaim include the reality of sin and the need for repentance? Is it a loving one?