Take The Gospel

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.  And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.  When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.

But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!”

And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk.”

And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.  With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit by the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 3:1-10

With death of Jesus the Sadducees thought they were rid of Jesus and all the nonsense about God dealing with people as individuals, then came Peter and John who healed a lame man and commenced preaching the Gospel to the crowd at the temple. 

Did the Sadducees see that they were wrong about Jesus and the power of God?  No, they were angry and arrested Peter and John and put them in jail.

Even the Apostles had critics and faced opposition for doing the work of God and preaching the Gospel.  So, why do we think that when we are ministering in the name of Jesus we should escape criticism by those who have no idea what it is to act on the basis of showing God’s love to the world?

Keep giving clothes to the poor, and feeding the poor, and buying school supplies for children.  Donate books to children who have none and  find jobs for the jobless.  Build houses for the homeless.  Preach the Gospel to those who do not know God and those who think they know God but show no evidence of it.  Do all it in the name of Jesus.  

Be fearless.  Take the Gospel to the people next door and to people around the world.