Not afraid is a phrase I’ve had to use many times to convince myself to do certain things. When I was a child, I was fearful of the dark outside. I would rather do anything than go outside at night. The mere thought of entering an area where I cannot see is frightening. While I am afraid of the dark, snakes, bears, etc, I am not afraid to proclaim the name of Jesus to anyone and everyone.
There are many accounts in scripture where people obeyed God, putting aside any repercussions that could occur. We find Ester standing before the King without an invitation, which could cause her to be killed. In Acts chapter 7, Stephen proclaimed the gospel while they stoned him to death. David fought and killed a giant that everyone else in Israel was afraid of.
In Acts 5:17, the high priest and the Sadducees were furious with the apostles for preaching and teaching that Jesus was God in the flesh, the Messiah. The Sadducees were determined to silence this promotion of Jesus because it proved they were wrong. They believed that there was no life after death. They put them in prison and warned them not to teach in Jesus’ name.
Act 5:17-18 “Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.”
In the next verse, we find the angel of the Lord comes and opens the prison doors, brings them outside, and tells them to go teach the gospel in the temple. They obeyed. They were not afraid of what could happen to them. Their focus was on obeying God.
The next morning, the high priest called the council and the senate or elders of the Jews together and sent for the apostles to be brought to them. Of course, we know the angel had already brought them out of the prison. Most would have seen this release as an opportunity to “get out of dodge.” Others would leave these people behind and head for a place where they were welcomed. However, they returned to the temple where they had preached before and proclaimed Christ as Savior.
Act 5:19-21 “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.”
This was not the end of the story. These men proved their love for Jesus was greater than any fear of man. They knew it was possible to be imprisoned or killed for their faith. They knew many friends and family might turn their backs on them, but they did not allow those feelings of loss to rule what they did for Christ.
In the face of fear, they proudly proclaimed that they would obey God rather than man.
Act 5:27-29 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
They were not afraid, but are you? Are you willing to speak up and tell others about Jesus, knowing they may ridicule or brush you off? What if they start avoiding you? Will that stop you? Maybe you are one of those who has never started in the area of witnessing for Christ. If that is your situation, you are living in disobedience to God’s commands and Jesus’ last words to us while here on earth.
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
If someone was drowning and you had the power to save them, would you? If you had the power to rescue a child from a burning building, would you? I think we would all answer yes to these situations. Yet, God has given every Christian the ability to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a matter of life or death. Do not be afraid to obey God.
