“They Ceased Not”

“They Ceased Not”
Saturday, November 23, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

Acts 5:40–42

According to church history, Polycarp, who pastored the church in Smyrna, was personally discipled by the Apostle John. After a long, faithful ministry, he was arrested during a period of Roman persecution of the church. When he was told to renounce Christ, Polycarp responded, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?” In light of his advanced age, he was told he would go free if he would say, “Away with the atheists” which was how the Romans regarded the Christians who refused to worship Caesar. Instead, Polycarp pointed at the crowd and said, “Away with the atheists.” As a result, he was burned at the stake.

Nothing should be able to shake our commitment to Jesus Christ. He is our Saviour, and His sacrifice for us is worthy of any sacrifice we might be called on to make for Him. While most of us do not face the beatings, imprisonment and even death faced by the members of the early church, and many Christians around the world today, we are still tempted to be silent when we should speak. Someone referred to “Secret Service” Christians—those who are undercover and never let anyone know that they are followers of Jesus. There is great shame in allowing fear or hardship to keep us from sharing the gospel with those around us. May we be like the early disciples and never cease to speak about Jesus.

Today's Growth Principle:
Our love for God should be so strong that nothing can stop us from doing what He has commanded.