Jesus was a man of boldness

JESUS WAS A MAN OF BOLDNESS
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LUKE 13:31-33
"The Boldness of Jesus!"
"The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee
out, and depart hence:for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye,
and tell that fox, Behold, I castout devils, and I do cures to day and to
morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless Imust walk to
day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet
perish out of Jerusalem."
I was driving into Atlanta one Friday evening to preach. Stopping by a well
known used book store, I noticed the little volume.
Its whole "focus" was the world of invertebrates. Those are animals with no
backbone!
Being a preacher, I found that topic interesting!
The term "backbone"has come to representone's determination to stand for
what he or she believes! Not to drift aimlesslydownstream on the river of life!
To withstand the flow of current godless thought!
A few days later, unable to get the book off my mind, I returned and
purchased a copy.
Some of the facts it reveals are astounding!
For example, creatures with "no backbone" comprise 99% of the world's
total animal species! There are, some scientists believe, up to 30,000,000
(thirty million) species ofthem!

Thus, I make this statement. To have a backbone on earth today is a rather
rare situation!
To be bold and really defend what one believes is rare too!
Preachers, ofall people, we need "backbone!"
Jesus was that bold!
He would not "run," would He?
In fact, He sent word back to wickedKing Herod that His schedule would
leave him in the vicinity for three more days! (In the conversationHe called
the deceitful King a "fox!")
Pretty bold!
Preachers, quit running! (Stand and fight for the Lord! Be a goodsoldier for
Jesus Christ!)
Christians, no longer "sellout" what you believe! (Compromise, in this
sense, is a bad word! Conviction is a goodone!)
Believers, stopacting like the world in your lifestyles! (Be different! Be a
"peculiar" people! Come out from among them and be ye separate! Touch
not the unclean thing! Be not unequally yokedtogetherwith unbelievers!)
Don't be a part of the "majority!"
I once heard an old preacherpray: "God, give me a backbone like a saw-log!"
I've never forgottenthose words!
Paul maybe says it bestof all! "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand." Ephesians 6:13
And I say, "Amen!"

Here are Jesus'words ... directed at wickedKing Herod. "And he said unto
them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I castout devils, and I do cures to day
and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." Luke 13:32
Did you see that?
"And he saidunto them, Go ye, and tell that fox ...."
Wow!
A fox lives in a hole in the ground, a cave or den of some kind. He is
associatedwith this earth. So was Herod of this world! Jesus talkedabout the
"holes" where the foxes lived.
A fox is a sneakyanimal. He will even "play" dead to avoid danger. So did
Herod act the hypocrite againand again!
A fox is deadly to its prey. So was Herod deadly to John the Baptist. He
executedhim for preaching againstsin! Jesus never forgotthis I believe.
A fox can't walk straight! He zig-zags through the countryside! So was
Herod always politically dealing ... for his own benefit!
And foxes were so common in Israelthat they had become rather
insignificant! Jesus well may be saying to Herod ... "You're just another
person to Me, Mr. Herod!" I have no fear whatsoeverofyou. You're a
nobody comparedto the greatPreacheryou've slain!
And, oh yes, foxes "spoil" the little grape vines! They are especially
dangerous to the little branches! (Jesus is The Vine. We are the branches!
John 15) Jesus, withHis vast knowledge ofthe Old Testament, may have in
mind the dangerto the children of Godthis fox Herod poses. Song of
Solomon2:15 says --- "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines:
for our vines have tender grapes." Thatverb "take" means to capture or to
seize! And "spoil" means to destroy or corrupt.
When we Believers see Jesus, Ithink we shall not hear names like "foxes" or
"serpents" or"vipers" or "whited sepulchres!" Rather, because ofCalvary,

we shall hear names like "servants" or"friends" or "children" or "goodand
faithful!"
That's a big difference!
Look at something Jesus told Herod in Luke 13:32. "And he (Jesus)said unto
them (the Pharisees), Go ye, and tell that fox (Herod), Behold, I castout
devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be
perfected."
On the surface it is clearwhat Jesus is saying.
Our Lord is boldly telling Herod that He's not afraid of his threats!
Jesus planned to be "in town" for two more days and then, on the third day,
His business there would be completed. Presumably, Jesus would then leave
the area. (Jesus justpublished His schedule to the murderous King!) Our
Lord was fearless!
In the same spirit of Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, and a hostof other
Christian men and women ... Jesus had not been given the spirit of fear ... but
of holy courage and strength!
Paul said this to us all: "ForGod hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
Amen!
But ... I think Jesus may have been saying something "deeper" here too.
The term "third day" triggers all kinds of thoughts for the Christian!
Here's what Jesus may be implying.
Herod, you can't "kill" me! No one can! I am God! But ... one day soon(in
Jerusalem)I shall lay My life down for sinners to be saved!

You can't stop Me either, old Wickedone!
On the Third Day, I shall be perfected! (The verb there, "teleioo,"means to
reachone's goal! To fully accomplish! To bring something to its proper
conclusion!)
It sounds to me like "resurrectionground" on which the Lord here stands!
That expression, "the third day," occurs 16 times in the New Testament
alone!
Preachers, these occurrences are worththe study time too!
Howeveryou may feel led to apply the "third day" statementof Jesus here in
our text ... you must agree with this: He was not afraid of Herod in any way!
I personally believe Jesus fearednothing ... but His Father's displeasure!
What a Saviour we have!
It looks to me like the Pharisees are trying to use "scaretactics"onJesus!
Trying to "frighten" Him out of town!
This has happened to many a preacher... and some of them have rapidly
retreatedand fled!
For example, see Jeremiah26:20-23. The Preacher's name is Urijah. It
means "Jehovahis my Light" or "Jehovahis my Flame!"
Here's his story: "And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of
the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiahof Kirjathjearim, who prophesied
againstthis city and againstthis land according to all the words of Jeremiah:
And when Jehoiakimthe king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes,
heard his words, the king soughtto put him to death: but when Urijah heard
it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt; And Jehoiakimthe king sent

men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with
him into Egypt. And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him
unto Jehoiakimthe king; who slew him with the sword, and casthis dead
body into the graves of the common people."
He got scaredand ran ... and was killed as a result!
He, unlike Jesus, ranaway!
Now ... here's another Preacherthey tried to scare out of town!
His name is Amos and someone (the King's hired "Preacher" named
Amaziah) has just met his "match!"
Amaziah has told Amos to "getout!"
And Amos, in his beautiful bold way, just said NO!
(I wish more Pastors would look some backsliddendeaconin the eyes and say
NO when told to leave! It is not Biblical for a group of 3 or 4 or 5 men (with
bossywomen behind them) to "run a preacher off" ... while the church people
sit idly by watching.
God help us!
Woe! I'd better getback to Amos!
"Also Amaziah saidunto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee awayinto the land
of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: But prophesy not again
any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court. Then
answeredAmos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a
prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gathererof sycomore fruit: And
the LORD took me as I followedthe flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go,
prophesy unto my people Israel. Now therefore hear thou the word of the
LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesynot againstIsrael, and drop not thy word
againstthe house of Isaac. Thereforethus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be
an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword,
and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land:
and Israelshall surely go into captivity forth of his land." Amos 7:12-17

Amaziah, the "politically correct" hireling, says to Amos, God's man: "Go,
flee away!You don't belong here!"
Amos right back: "God calledme and sent me and I'm not leaving until HE
says so!"
Furthermore ... Amos then went on the attack! (Thank Godfor preachers
who are willing to be stern and bold!) "Amaziah old buddy, you've got
troubles coming down the road! Your children are going to be slain and your
wife will sellher morality and you will die ... at the hands of an enemy you say
does not exist!"
Wow!
And it happened just like God's man said!
Jesus did not run ... and savedcountless lostsouls by means of the Cross of
Calvary!
Amos did not run ... and has given courage to millions of preacherever since!
Urijah ... feared and ran and died!
(By the way, Amos would not have run even if death had been the
consequence!)
Thank God our Saviour was a MAN!
The God-Man!
Don't you just love Him today?
Here is part of Jesus'answerto the threats of Herod: "And I do cures to day
and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." Luke 13:32
The verb "I do" is "epiteleo" whichliterally means to accomplishor
complete! Jesus is working to complete a program, a schedule! One that will
lead Him to Calvary where He will die for the sins of lost mankind!

But the interesting word that has caughtmy attention today is "cures." In
Greek it's "iasis" (pronounced"ee'-as-is"). Itis only used 3 times in all the
Bible ... in the New Testamentof course ... being a GREEKterm. (And all
three times it flows from the pen of a physician, Dr. Luke!)
Here are the references forall three occurrences: Our text in Luke 13:32 then
in Acts 4:22 followedby Acts 4:40. I noticedsomething yesterday about the
sequence ofthese three occasions.
First (Luke 13) it is just JESUS doing the "cures."
Next it is done at the hand of the Apostles Peterand John. They had
performed a miracle of "healing" on a lame man! (Acts 4:22)
Lastly it is done by our reigning GreatHigh Priest Jesus The Christians
prayed: "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth
thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of
thy holy child Jesus." Acts 4:29-30
Here's my point: with eachuse of the word ... it's domain grows widerand
wider! Its sphere of influence widens progressively! First ... just the Lord!
Next the disciples!Then, prayer is offered for our ResurrectedAscended
Saviour to work through all His dedicated followers!
We too can do greatthings for God ... by means of His Holy Spirit! I am not
now speaking of physical healings and such ... but of mighty spiritual feats of
faith and stability and consecrationforour dear Lord!
And, truly, yet today ... it is nothing we Christians within ourselves do that
accomplishes anything to God's Glory. It is all Him working through us!
(John 14:12 --- "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the
works that I do shall he do also;and greaterworks than these shall he do;
because I go unto my Father.")
Just think what mighty spiritual "cures" have been wrought ... sins forgiven
and lives changedforever ... by the Spirit empoweredpreaching of the Word
of God!

Lastly let me mention something else. Jesus mentions here "the third day."
You can see that in the King James text the word day is italicized. This is the
way our Bible so accuratelytells us that a word has been supplied for a
clearerunderstanding. And it is right.
However, Jesus here literally says "Go ye, and tell that fox (Herod), Behold, I
castout devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third ... I shall be
perfected."
The third what?
Obviously ... the third day!
But Jesus just says ... THE THIRD!
I believe Jesus has long since known (eternally so)about His coming Deathon
the Cross ... AND about His ensuing Resurrectionfrom the grave!
He lived for those events! He came to die and be resurrected! He came to
save sinners!
And He was positive that as sure as the Cross came ... so would THE THIRD
follow It!
And, as sure as the sunrise this morning, the THIRD did come and Jesus came
forth from the grave!
(Even on the THIRD day of creation, things started springing up out of the
earth! And when Abraham climbed the mount to sacrifice Isaac, thatBible
accountis framed in "third day" terminology! And the preacherHosea uses
the expressionas he addresses Israel... "After two days will He revive us: in
the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.")
But when we get to the New Testament, it uses the expression14 times in
reference to Jesus'Resurrection!
I willingly say ... HE WAS PERFECTEDON THE THIRD!
ON THE THIRD GLORIOUS DAY!
Amen!

And He prophesies that greatfact in our verse today ... as He spoke to those
hypocritical Pharisees andindirectly to Herod himself!
Today we arrive at verse 33, the last sectionof our "text."
"NeverthelessI must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for
it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem." (Luke 13:33)
I was studying an old book. The author (a preacher)had been dead many
years.
He simply said this.
"As far as canbe told, Jesus walkedEVERYWHERE He went during His
public ministry ... with one exception, the day He rode into Jerusalemon a
little donkey! (The last week ofHis earthly life before the Cross!)
He likely even walkedto and from Jerusalem as a 12 year old Lad.
Thank about that!
When Jesus told Herod that He would "walk" forthree more days in the
King's territory ... then head toward Jerusalem, He meant it literally!
The verb "to walk" (in Greek = "poreuomai")means to travel from one place
all the way through to another place! It comes from a rootword that means
"to pierce," to go from one end of something to the other!
Another interesting feature of the word is that this "piercing" (to travel) is
also the idea behind a group of Bible words that imply trials and testings! To
be "pierced through" with adversity!
No wonder Jesus often used the word "walk" as a metaphor or word picture
for the whole Christian life, our whole manner of behavior!

Luke 20:46 --- "Bewareofthe scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and
love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues,and the
chief rooms at feasts." Their"walk" is their very lifestyle!
Or John 8:12 --- "Thenspake Jesus againunto them, saying, I am the light of
the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life."
And John 11:9 --- "Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If
any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this
world."
Again, John 12:35 --- "ThenJesus saidunto them, Yet a little while is the light
with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he
that walkethin darkness knowethnot whither he goeth."
Wow!
Then the Holy Spirit gave Paul the word to use!
Here's an example, Romans 8:1 --- "There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit."
Or Romans 13:13 --- "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and
drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, notin strife and envying."
1stCorinthians 3:3 --- "Forye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you
envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"
Here's a classicexample, 2 Corinthians 5:7 --- "Forwe walk by faith, not by
sight."
Galatians 5:16 --- "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh."
Galatians 6:16 --- "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on
them, and mercy, and upon the Israelof God."

And Ephesians 4:1 --- "I (Paul) therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech
you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewithye are called."
And there are many more!
Colossians 4:5 --- "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming
the time." (I couldn't help it!)
Christian friend, how is your walk today?
Check ... and be sure all is acceptable to your Heavenly Father and dear
Saviour His Sonthe Lord Jesus Christ! Be sure your "walk" is not grieving
the Holy Spirit of God.
Amen!
Notice that Jesus knew He was going to die ("perish" in our text).
Here's part of the message the Lord sent Herod: "NeverthelessI must walk to
day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet
perish out of Jerusalem." Luke 13:33
Herod, Jesus says, I will be busy serving God for three days ... then I'll be
going. Going on towardJerusalem... where I will die for the sins of mankind!
For it cannotbe that a realProphet die outside of Jerusalem!
Think what it would be like to know HOW you were going to die ... and when
... and why!
With the "pressure" ofthat knowledge onany one of us, we like would hardly
be able to "function" in any normal way!
Yet Jesus did!
In fact, He seemedto "thrive" on the fact that He had come to die to be the
Saviour of the world!

Mark 10:45 proves what I mean. Jesus said: "Foreven the Son of man came
not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for
many."
Or Luke 12:50 where Jesus says: "ButI have a baptism (His death on
Calvary) to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be
accomplished!" Here He nearly says that He can't wait!
Constantly in the Gospelof John Jesus talks aboutthe coming of "His Hour,"
the Cross! He was nearly obsessedwith it! And little wonder, it is the greatest
fact of all history!
Yet ... facing such information and such a death, He continued His life work
and obediently (calmly even) did His Father's Will!
Who else could have done such preaching as is found in John chapters 12-16,
facing imminent death?
Who else, on His death march to the Cross, would have takentime to heal a
severedear? See Luke 22:50-51.
This quality is calledBOLDNESS!
Jesus was a real Man!
He was fearless in the face of death!
He took on the forces of darkness and defeatedthem all ... even as He died on
Calvary!
Listen to Jesus in Isaiah 50 as He "challenges"deaththe the devil: "I gave
my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid
not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me;
therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I setmy face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will
contend with me? let us stand together:who is mine adversary? let him come
near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn
me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eatthem up."
That is the greatestexample of courage that I've even known in all my life!

What a Saviour we have!
I love Him today!
Glory to His Name!
JESUS WAS A REAL MAN! HE WAS GOD COME TO EARTH IN A
PHYSICAL BODY! AND, OH, WHAT STRENGTHAND COURAGE AND
"MANLINESS" HE HAD!
A godly old preacherstudied the life of Jesus and pointed out some areas
which he felt especiallyillustrated our Lord's courage andfortitude!
Let me share with you some of his conclusions. Ibelieve you will agree that
they are Biblical.
First think of the manliness it would have takento live one's whole life under
the authority of Another! Jesus came to do one thing ... His Father's Will!
And for 33 years He did not depart from that Will once! Jesus saidin John
8:29 (in reference to His Father): "I do always those things that please Him."
And in Hebrews 10:7 and 9 Jesus adds: "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God."
What strength!
Next ... Jesus, alreadyknowing His Missionfrom the Father, waited patiently
and obediently for 30 years before implementing His public Ministry! What
manliness that represented! (Waiting is a hard thing!) I am absolutelysure
that at age 12 in the Temple when Jesus expressedto Mary and Josephthat
He had to be about His Father's Business ... He already knew Who He was!
And then He waited until just the right "time" to move on the program of
Redemption!
Then think of the Temptation in the wilderness! Forty days! Tempted of the
devil! Yet without sin! Refusing eachalluring lie of satan, Jesus triumphed

gloriously! That took manliness too! Strong men know how to wield the
Sword of the Spirit, saying skillfully "It is written!"
Then remember His cleansing of the Temple. He made a scourge of cords and
drove out those rascals! (This would have upset the whole politico-religious
system of the day!) And this actionagain required extreme boldness!
And the many times he "stoodup" to the Scribes and Pharisees and
Sadducees andChief Priests further revealHis courage! Neverbacking
down! Never compromising! Standing for the Truth! What fortitude!
And we've not even counted the times He did what was neededon the Sabbath
Days of His lifetime! (Neverviolating the Law of God ... but crushing their
man-made traditions!) Again ... courage personified!
And examine His life carefully as He neared death, His sacrificialvicarious
death on Calvary. Do you see any "hint" of fearfulness or cowardice onHis
part? There is none! In fact, He challengeddeath! He longed for "His Hour"
to come! He came to die to savedthe lost!
How could our Lord have been so manly?
One verse comes to mind. 1st John 4:18 tells us. "Perfectlove castethout
fear." And Jesus was (and still is and will be forever) PERFECT!
Then Paul adds a bit of Light: "ForGod hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2nd Timothy 1:7 Jesus,
being God, had no spirit of fear about Him!
Listen to our Lord as He (via Bible Prophecy) faces deathand the cross and
the devil: "Forthe Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be
confounded: therefore have I setmy face like a flint, and I know that I shall
not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let
us stand together:who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. Behold,
the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all
shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eatthem up." Isaiah50:7-9
There it is! PerfectManliness, Jesus ourLord and Saviour!

We have just been studying the Boldness of Jesus. His Manliness as well as
His Deity are clearly describedin Scripture.
What courage He had!
Preachers also MUST have backbone, a synonym for stamina and fortitude.
In focusing on Jesus'determination, I came acrossa study of little creatures
called"invertebrates," animals with no backbones!
One such specimenis the leech.
He is a little blood-sucking fellow with many unusual traits.
There are about 650 species ofhis kind in the world today.
They are annelids and are closelyrelatedto earthworms.
Their blood-sucking abilities are knownworld-wide.
The leechdoes not merely consume five to ten times its weight of blood in a
half-hour (!!!) ... the wound it creates continues bleeding for quite some time.
In the early to mid 1800's leeches were usedfor medical purposes ... almost
bordering on paranoia!
During that time, when leeches were in such high demand by doctors and
hospitals, men earnedtheir living by being "leech-gatherers!" Theywould
simply walk around in infested waters, allowing the animals to attach
themselves to their bare legs, harvesting as many as 2500 per day from a good
pond!
Leechfarming!
Some Amazonian leeches grow to be 18 inches long!
So there's a little bit of information about leeches!

Animals who do little else than suck blood from other "victims!"
Often their "bites" also cause resulting infections!
A bunch of blood suckers who are also invertebrates ... having no backbones!
Excuse me Preachers, but I thought of that bunch of liberals and
compromisers and false teachers who have "hounded" us for years. In fact,
they have ruined many a young college orseminary bound study of the Bible.
They do spiritually what leeches do literally!
I mean: Attach themselves to a young (or old) but gullible preacherboy ...
and begin "sucking."
They suck awayhis belief in the Virgin Birth or the Inspiration of Scripture
or the Deity of Christ or the SecondComing or the literal Resurrectionof
Christ!
And their specialty: BLOOD sucking. They love to deny and deplete faith in
the Bloodof Jesus, the saving Blood of Jesus!
Preachers, ifthey can't get to YOU personally ... they will try to reachyou
through the printed page. Through a liberal commentary or through a
devious magazine article (even a religious one)!
Beware!
Blood-suckersyetabound in the spiritual world!
There is a lab now in Europe that grows leechescommerciallyfor professional
use!
Some seminaries and universities do the same thing on a spiritual plane!
Men of God, stay awayfrom Blood-suckers!
Maintain a strong faith in the Bloodof Jesus and the fundamental Doctrines
of the Bible!
And, by the way, as you do that ... also keepyour BACKBONE is good strong
shape!

You're not an invertebrate!
Here is an example of Paul dealing with a couple of early New Testament
leeches: "This charge I commit unto thee, sonTimothy, according to the
prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good
warfare;holding faith, and a good conscience;which some having put away
concerning faith have made shipwreck:Of whom is Hymenaeus and
Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to
blaspheme." 1 Timothy 1:18-20
Or 2 Timothy 2:16-18. "Butshun profane and vain babblings: for they will
increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eatas doth a canker:of
whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred,
saying that the resurrectionis past already; and overthrow the faith of some."
Such warnings demand that we Bible-believing Preachers STAND ... and, as
you well know, in order to really STAND, one must have a greatstrong
BACKBONE!
Today I'd like to tell you about the little animal we commonly call the
"dragonfly."
Old American folklore also designates these little creatures as "snake
doctors." This is basedupon a legend that they could care for sick (nearly
dead) snakes and revive them to "health!"
They don't sting. They don't bite either (not humans, anyway). But they do
have teeth! More about that later.
And they do fly. In fact, they are superb aviators. Theycan outmaneuver any
of their enemies in aerial combat! They have been "clocked" ata flight speed
of 35 miles per hour! They can "take off" backward, turn "unbanked" in an
instant, come to a dead stop (hovering) in a split second, and even somersault
in the heat of aerialbattle! (One third to one half of their body weightis

dedicatedto its flight muscles!) Wind tunnel tests have actually shown the lift
powerof their little wings to produce a vortex similar to a miniature tornado!
Technicallygirl dragonflies are called "damselflies!"
They live in a small nesting area usually overlooking a pond somewhere. And
they "hunt" from the air. They eat enough mosquitoes (300 or more a day) to
have earned the nickname "mosquito hawk!"
That's where their "teeth" againcome into view. Theycatch and "grind"
flies and mosquitoes by the hundreds every day! Readeating machines!
And what eyesightthey have! They can see nearly 360 degreesatonce! Each
of its little eyes has up to 30,000lenses!
There are about 500 known species ofthese little fellows ... with a new one or
two still being discoveredevery year! God's creationis so vast that we have
not yet (in all 6,000 years ofhuman history) fathomed it!
These amazing little insects are much too complicated and intricately
"designed" to have simply evolved as a stroke of fate (or luck) or chance or
whateverelse the Darwinianscientistmight callit.
They argue for a living Almighty God Who is Creatoras well as Redeemerof
lost mankind! More accurately, the Lord will some day (upon His return)
redeem this whole earth, removing the curse of original sin!
These astounding little "dragonflies" are certainly one of the growing
arguments today used for what's today coming to be called"Intelligent
Design." Theycould not have just "happened!" HoweverI'll just keep
calling Him (That Intelligent Designer)my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
But ... one more little thing. (And I almosthate to mention it. This little being
is so "cute.") The dragonfly is an invertebrate! That means he has no
"backbone!"
He is harmless to you and me ... but has no backbone!
He is a dynamic pilot ... but has no backbone!

He is a wonderful mate to his "wife" ... but has no backbone!
He is lovely to watch as he skillfully operates ... but, again, has no backbone.
Did you know there are folks down at church (and on your job and at your
next family reunion too) who are relatively harmless, kind and gentle in
nature, pleasantassociates... who also have no backbone?
Who will not "stand" for anything!
Who lack "conviction" and "strength" to do right whateverthe cost!
I must close this Article. In fact I may have veeredin a direction I had not
originally intended here.
But let us all pray ... "Lord give us courage and strength and backbone ... to
stand for Thee in these present evil days! In Jesus'Name, Amen."
Paul's famous words apply here I think: "And having done all, to stand."
Ephesians 6:13
How unlike Jesus, the Man of characterand courage, the Sonof Man as well
as the Son of God, Who had BACKBONE for sure, is the little "dragonfly."
That's why I have placed this Article at the end of the Luke 13:31-33 study.
Jesus, Our Boldness
By Adrian Rogers
Peterand John were bold proclaimers of God’s truth. Acts 4:13 says, “Now
when they [the rulers of the people and elders of Israel] saw the boldness of
Peterand John, and perceivedthat they were unlearned and ignorant men,

they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with
Jesus.”
The government is telling us that we can’t take Jesus into the public schools.
Oh yes we can, and let me tell you how.
I was returning to America from an overseastrip and discoveredthat U.S.
Customs will not let you bring some things into this country. Forinstance, you
can’t bring fruits, vegetables, andanimal life. There was a man in front of me
who had some gourmet cheese,and the inspector said, “I’m sorry, sir. You
cannot bring this cheeseinto the country.” The man said, “I will bring it in.
I’ll just rewrap it.” And then he ate it and walkedright through.
Jesus is inside every believer. Maybe you haven’t been to seminary, but you
have been with Jesus. Thatis the basis of boldness. You keepcompany with
God the Son and He will be your boldness. You see, Jesus didn’t come to get
you out of trouble; He came to get into trouble with you, and He will be with
you.
Acts 4:13 New International Version
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and
realized that they were unschooled, ordinarymen,
they were astonishedand they took note that these
men had been with Jesus.
New Living Translation
The members of the council were amazed when they
saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see
that they were ordinarymen with no special training

in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men
who had been with Jesus.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
AssociationWith Christ
Acts 4:13
W. Clarkson
We gatherfrom these words -
I. THAT LEARNING IS NOT NECESSARYTO GOODNESS. The
persecutors ofPeterand John "perceivedthat they were unlearned and
ignorant men;" not uneducated men, in the worstsense ofthat term, but
lacking in the higher culture of their time. But though thus comparatively
unlearned, they were men of strong faith, of true piety, of godly zeal,
admirable in the sight of men, acceptable servants ofJesus Christ. Human
learning is a desirable, but it is far from being, a necessary, thing to excellence
of characteror nobility of life.
II. THAT COURAGE IN THE CONDUCT OF THE GOOD WILL ARREST
THE ATTENTION OF THOSE WHO ARE IN THE WRONG. "Whenthey
saw the boldness of Peterand John... they marveled." Whatever virtues are
unappreciated by the ungodly, courage always enlists attention and provokes
admiration. Be brave, and you will be heard; stand to your colors with
undaunted spirit, and men will, howeverreluctantly, yield you their respect.
III. THAT ASSOCIATION WITH JESUS CHRIST WILL ACCOUNT FOR
ANY EXCELLENCY OF CHARACTER. When the priests and elders

wanted to accountto themselves for the boldness of these two men they
remembered their connectionwith Christ, and were no longer at fault. That
will accountfor anything that is good. Much intimacy with him who
"regardednot the personof man" will always make men brave; frequent
communion with that Holy One of God will always make men pure of heart;
close friendship with him who came to lay down his life for the sheepwill
always make men unselfish, etc.
IV. THAT THE REST THINGS ABOUT HUMAN CHARACTER ARE
THOSE WHICH ARE SUGGESTIVE OF JESUS CHRIST. There is nothing
which is such a tribute to human worth as that men are thereby reminded of
Christ. What impression are we most anxious to conveyabout ourselves? The
answerto that question will be a sure criterion of our spiritual standing. If we
are nearing the goalwhich is set before us, if we are attaining to any real
height of Christian excellency, we shall he truly and earnestlysolicitous that
our constantspirit and daily behavior will be suggestive ofthe temper and the
principles of Jesus Christour Lord. - C.
Biblical Illustrator
Now when they saw the boldness of Peterand John.
Acts 4:13
St. Peter;or, true courage
C. Kingsley, M. A.
The grace ofGod, which St. Peter's characterand story speciallyforces on
our notice, is the true courage which comes by faith. There is a courage which
does not come by faith, but from hardness of heart, obstinacy, anger, or
stupidity, which does not see dangeror feel pain. That is the courage of the
brute. One does not blame it. It is goodin its place, as all things are which
God has made. It is goodenough for the brute; but it is not goodenough for
man. You cannot trust it in man. And the more a man is what a man should
be, the less he cantrust it. The more mind a man has, so as to be able to

foresee dangerand measure it, the more chance there is of his brute courage
giving way. The more feeling a man has the more chance there is of his brute
courage breaking down, just when he wants it more to keephim up, and
leaving him to play the cowardand come to shame. Yes; to go through with a
difficult or dangerous undertaking. a man wants more than brute courage. He
needs to have faith in what he is doing to be certain that he is in the right.
Look at the class ofmen who in times of peace undergo the most fearful
dangers. Nota week passeswithout one or more of them, in trying to save life
and property, doing things which are altogetherheroic. What keeps them up
to their work? High pay? The amusement and excitement of the fires? The
vanity of being praised for their courage? Thoseare motives which would not
keepa man's heart calm and his head clearunder such responsibility and
danger as theirs. No; it is the sense of duty. The knowledge that they are doing
a goodand noble work, that they are in God's hands, and that no evil can
happen to him who is doing right. Yes; it is the courage whichcomes by faith
which makes men like St. Peter and St. John. "I will not fear," saidDavid,
"though the earth be moved, and the mountains carriedinto the midst of the
sea." The just man who holds firm to his duty will not, says a wise old writer,
"be shakenfrom his solid mind by the rage of the mob bidding him do base
things, or the frown of the tyrant who persecuteshim. Though the world were
to crumble to pieces round him, its ruins would strike him without making
him tremble." Such courage has made men, shut up in prison for long weary
years for doing what was right, endure manfully for the sake ofsome great
cause, and say—Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage.There
is but one thing you have to fearin heavenor earth — being untrue to your
better selves, and therefore untrue to God. If you will not do the thing you
know to be right, and say the thing you know to be true, then indeed you are
weak. You are a coward, and sin againstGod. And you will suffer the penalty
of your cowardice. Youdesert God, and therefore you cannot expectHim to
stand by you. But who will harm you if you be followers ofthat which is right?
(Psalm 15.)There is a tabernacle of God in which, even in this life, He will
hide us from strife. There is a hill of God in which, even in the midst of
danger, and labour, and anxiety, we may rest both day and night — even
Jesus Christ, the Rock ofAges — He who is the righteousness itself, the truth
itself. And whosoeverdoes righteousnessand speaks truth, dwells in Christ in

this life, as well as in the life to come. And Christ will give him courage to
strengthen him by His Holy Spirit, to stand in the evil day, the day of danger,
and having done all to stand.
(C. Kingsley, M. A.)
Christian heroism
JosephWoodhouse.
The Church was born and nursed amid storms. The advocates ofChristianity
have frequently met with unexpected opposition and cruel persecution. Men
whose office it was to promote the progress of truth have striven to impede its
course. Persecutionintimidates the weak, but ennobles and purifies the true.
The text teaches us three things about the genuine disciple.
I. THAT CHRISTIAN MEN ARE INSPIRED WITH DIVINE COURAGE IN
TIMES OF PERSECUTION. "Theysaw the boldness of Peterand John."
There is a wide difference betweena Christian and a worldly man in times of
trouble. The worldly man is timid, irritable, and restless;the Christian man is
calm, courageous, andhopeful. Nothing cancalm and strengthen a man more
than a full assurance ofGod's protection. Three things show that the disciples
were endowedwith Divine fortitude.
1. Look at their noble defence. Peterspeaks courageouslyand eloquently for
Christ.
2. Look at their bold attack. Peterchargedhis accuserswith ignorance, they
had rejectedChrist; he chargedthem with sin, they had crucified Christ.
3. Look at their undaunted spirit. They were commanded to cease from
preaching; but they remained steadfastto the truth. Godcan inspire His
children with courage to meet the fiercestconflicts of life — to endure pain, to
suffer poverty, to bear bereavement, to meet persecution.
II. THAT CHRISTIAN MEN ARE INSPIRED WITH DIVINE WISDOM IN
TIMES OF PERSECUTION. "And perceivedthat they were unlearned and

ignorant men." Christ had promised to impart wisdom to His disciples in
times of danger. "When they deliver you up, take no thought how and what ye
shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak."
"I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your adversaries shallnot be
able to gainsayand resist." Three things show that the disciples were Divinely
instructed.
1. They were enabled to make a specialdeclarationof the powerof Christ.
The examination was particular — "by what name" they had performed the
miracle. The answerwas particular — "by the name of Jesus." It was a
merciful work, a successfulwork, a Divine work.
2. They were enabled to make a suitable declarationof salvation in Christ:
"neither is there salvation in any other."
3. They were enabled to make a public declarationof their faith in Christ:
"there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be
saved." Theybelieved in the supremacy of Christ. They knew He was both the
Sou and the Sent of God. His word was true. His work was complete. "If any
man lack wisdom, let him ask ofGod." Christian men ought to speak boldly
in defence of the truth. Speak for Christ anywhere and everywhere, in the
shop and in the market, at fasts and at feasts. Speak ofHis life, His atonement,
His resurrection, His intercession.
III. THAT CHRISTIAN MEN ARE INSPIRED WITHA DIVINE
INFLUENCE IN TIMES OF PERSECUTION. "And they took knowledge of
them that they had been with Jesus."The man who has frequent intercourse
with Jesus will reflecthis Master's spirit. Communion with Christ makes a
man gentle, patient, courageous,devout, and zealous. When Moses came down
from Mount Sinai his face shone with such a Divine lustre that the children of
Israel"were afraid to come nigh him." The influence the disciples possessedis
noticeable for three things.
1. It was a visible influence. "They saw, perceived, took knowledgeof them."
There is something in the conduct, disposition, and countenance ofa good
man that reports itself; his influence is felt in the world, the Church, the
family circle. A Divine life cannotbe concealed;the light must shine.

2. It was a mighty influence. They silencedtheir accusers,they convinced their
hearers, they converted five thousand men.
3. It was a spiritual influence. The miracle only excited attention, the word
produced conversion.
(JosephWoodhouse.)
Christian heroism
J. Matthews.
We sometimes hearit stated that courage is a quality that is decreasing;that
men are wise, enterprising, and refined, but not courageous.Thatopinion is
not true even of physical bravery. It also ignores the alteredconditions of life.
If we look into life and see whatis necessaryto realise any greatpurpose in it,
we shall conclude that opportunities are not wanting for the display of high
heroism. The old bravery is not extinct, it is transformed and directed to
better ends. It is the fortitude that comes from faith, love, and duty that is
needed in these times. Christianity is the religion of heroism, as opposedto the
creeds of expediency and prudence. It begets in us that temper of mind from
which high achievements naturally flow. It reveals a universal conflict
betweentruth and error in which true chivalry must be shown. The boldness
of the mariner or the adventurer we may not all be called to rival, but the
boldness of Peter and John we must all possess, if we are to fight our battle
faithfully and attain the crown of life. Peterand John are examples of the new
courage — the heroism of hearts inspired by love, and living for the benefit of
others. Christianity had to fight. How did it bear itself in the conflict? Did it
take counselof safety, compromise, policy? No!what one is struck by in the
actionof the apostles is an audacity that is caution, a calmness that is power,
and a love that impressed friends and foes. Peterdeclaresthat it is by the
powerof the risen Christ the healed man stoodbefore them. That is the true
explanation of all progress. The confidence, the contempt of suffering, the
holy elevationof soul with which Peteruttered that statement filled all with
surprise; they took knowledge ofthem that they had been with Jesus. That

was the result of Peter's boldness. R turned judges into criminals, and apostles
into judges. It brought about their acquittal, and the still greaterprogress of
their cause. If Peterhad wavered, all had been lost. Similar devotion do we
need to-day, not only for the conflict of Christian truth with error, but for the
destruction of evil in laws, institutions, and habits, and for the every-day
battle of life.
I. CHRISTIAN HEROISM RESULTS FROM FELLOWSHIP WITH
CHRIST. The sense ofthe heroic is in all men; the dispositionto admire the
greatand exceptionalin the lives and acts of men. Life would be very
monotonous if all men occupiedone level of power. The samenessofnature is
broken up by mountains, torrents, cataracts, andby crises. So the torpor of
sociallife is broken up, and a new sense of powerreached, by the presence of
heroes, and of the heroic. The hero is one whose faculties are raisedto a
higher plane of powerthan ordinary men reach. Before Christ came there had
been such characters. In various countries and at different times they had
appeared: military heroes like Alexander; political heroes like Pericles;
intellectual heroes like Plato and Socrates;artistic heroes like Phidias;
reforming heroes like Elijah, Buddha, Confucius;patriotic heroes like Moses
and David. But, wonderful as were the doings of these men, they do not fully
satisfy the sense ofthe heroic. Their mastery over nature was not complete;
their knowledge was limited; their sympathies were not universal; their
greatness wasmeasurable. The world needed the expressionof a higher
enthusiasm. Jesus Christrealisedand transcendedall these conditions. The
specialqualities of all other heroes meetin Him. ConsiderHis personality, His
knowledge, His labours, His conflicts, His sufferings and triumphs. And now
that He is exalted to the throne of the universe, and praised and adored as the
glorified Son of God, what is His purpose towards His disciples? To impart
unto them His own enthusiasm, courage, power, and glory. How does Jesus
Christ infuse His spirit into His disciples?
1. He reveals to them the high possibilities of their nature. The unheroic mind
sees the actual as the measure of the possible. The heroic mind says, "All
things are possible." Jesus Christis the measure of human possibility. He sees
and awakensthe capabilities of men. He saw the possibilities of Peter, of Paul,

of , of Luther, of John Howard, of Carey, and educated their faculties to
realise them.
2. Jesus Christgives absolute certainty about the truth He teaches. If Peter
had doubted, boldness would have fled.
3. Jesus gives courageby demanding the surrender of self. All cowardice
results from self-consciousness.Let selfbe devoted to a worthy end, fear dies.
4. Jesus Christteaches us that heroism is the universal law of heaven. The
heroisms of earth are the commonplaces ofheaven.
5. Jesus Christconcentrates ourpowers on one greataim. Distractiondestroys
heroism. The balloon must be steered.
6. Jesus Christsustains His followers by His presence. Peterdenied Jesus
when he was charged. The Masterdoes not disown the servant, but stands by
him.
II. CHRISTIAN HEROISM SHOULD BE MANIFESTED IN VARIOUS
SPHERES.
1. In witnessing to Christ in common life.
2. In faithfulness in temptation.
3. In new methods of Christian service.
4. In loyalty to personalconviction.
5. In responses to specialcalls to duty.
6. By the boldness of our prayers.
III. CHRISTIAN HEROISM PRODUCESGREAT RESULTS.
IV. CHRISTIAN HEROISM IS POSSIBLE TO ALL. Peterthe denier
transformed into Peterthe heroic witness. Be not discouraged, cleaveto Jesus,
and in Him be strong.
(J. Matthews.)

The boldness of apostolic preaching
A. A. Lipscomb, LL. D.
I. THE POSITION AND CHARACTER OF THESE MEN WHO WERE
GRIEVED AT THE APOSTLES'TEACHING OF THE RESURRECTION.
Mostof them were Sadducees, rich, courtly, influential, holding the Pharisees
in contempt as did the Pharisees the common people. A crisis was now
impending. The impress of the GreatTeacherwas too greatto be denied.
Tone, look, manner, put the apostles'training above suspicion. All had
admitted the originality of Jesus as a teacher, and had opposedHim on this
account. Lo! this originality has reappeared. The old controversyhad
suddenly returned. Jerusalemwas in a moral upheaval. In this God's hand
strikingly appears. To confront the Sadducees was the initial work of
Christianity. The question of "Jesus andthe resurrection" must be settledat
once. Other questions might be postponed till Sadduceeismreceivedits
deathblow. So the risen Christ confronted them everywhere and "sore
troubled" them.
II. THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE SADDUCEES AS TO THE POWER
OF CHRISTIANITY. "We cannot deny it." If the miracle is undeniable, then
the source, in the risen Christ, is undeniable. Only one resource remains —
silence the preachers!But canthey be silenced? The leaderof the hour was
lately a weak man, who quailed before a servant-maid. Now he stands, with
John unflinchingly before the most formidable tribunal of the country. How is
it? The secretescapes theirown lips. "The boldness" astonishesthem, and
they put it down to the factthat they had been with Jesus. Was this
conscience?No. There was no sense ofguilt here. It was fear. In the boldness
of Peterand John they saw the answerto "His blood be upon us and our
children."
III. NO ONE CAN HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS AS A DISCIPLE AND NOT
SHOW IT THEREAFTER IN HIS SPIRIT AND ACTION. The human heart
was made for Him, and when renewedreceives His fulness. This is the secret
of Christian influence.

(A. A. Lipscomb, LL. D.)
Courage comes from faith
Courage comes from faith! Faith always leads us out of self and teaches us to
believe in the possibilities of others. No nature can be strong that is not
enthusiastic, and no nature canbe enthusiastic that has not faith. The man
who has faith in other men and other things, and other manifestations of life
and characterthan his own, will always have courage. And this faith of which
we hear so much in the matter of religionis not only a Bible quality; it is a
quality which is found in the busiest market-places oflife and among the most
successfulof earthly heroes. Columbus bound in his prison was, after all, a
strongernature than the crownedFerdinand upon his throne, for his faith
realisedan undiscovered continent. It was said of William Pitt, the younger,
the Prime Minister of England at twenty-three years of age, that no one ever
entered his closet, if it was for only five minutes, who did not come out of it a
strongerand braver man than he was when he went in. Count Cavour, when
he made Italy the free kingdom that it is, was once askedhow he came to be so
trusted by everyone, and said, in reply, that it was simply because he believed
in men, and trusted them. There can be no courage without faith; for it is faith
which bears our trembling natures awayfrom their earthly moorings to some
unknown, unseen reality, which exists because the soul believes in its
existence.
Serving God with boldness
Mr. Moody told of a young man who attended his meetings at the
Hippodrome in New York. He was long before he would confess to this belief
in Christ, and when at length he did so, Mr. Moody askedhim what had kept
him back. He replied that he knew he had to make a cleanbreastof his
professionto his room-mate, and he was deterred by the fear of being laughed
at. Eventually he summoned up courage. He sat in his room reading the Bible,
and presently he heard his mate coming up the stair. His first impulse was to

shut the Bible and put it awayin his trunk. His secondthought restrained
him, however, and he continued his reading. His bed-fellow came in and saw
him with the Bible before him, and going up to him, said, "Are you interested
in such things?" "Yes, I am." "How long have you been so?" "Since Mr.
Moody preachedon such and such a text at the Hippodrome." "Wellnow,
that is strange, I was impressed with the same address, and all these nights I
have been trying to screw up my courage to read my Bible before you." "And
I have only succeededto-night in getting my courage up to read mine before
you." Mr. Moody remarked, "We want men who have gotboldness and
courage. If it is right to serve God, then let them serve Him with boldness,
without regardto what man will think."
And perceivedthat they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled
True religion the wonderof men
E. De Pressense, D. D.
This astonishmentwas the natural effectof the appearance ofa true
Christianity differing so greatlyfrom all its surroundings, of an effect
disproportionate to the apparent cause. Strange coincidence thatin the
moment of their amazement the rulers should give the true explanation,
"They have been with Jesus." This should remind us, in the face of those
powers now leaguedagainstus, that we too possessa supernatural power,
ever-victorious, be the combatwhat it may. This amazement —
I. WAS THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD
WHICH RELIEVES ONLY IN THE VISIBLE, whether as to power, riches,
or science.
1. None of these characteristicswere found in these men, therefore when the
powerof the invisible and Divine appears in them, it is beyond the
comprehensionof the world which ignores that the visible is the Son of the
invisible, and lives by its inspiration.

2. It is remarkable that this amazementwas felt by the representatives ofa
holy religion. One could understand the Romans, men of war, or the Greeks,
lovers of art, or the worshippers of gods which were only personifications of
natural or human feeling, feeling such amazement. But here we are in the land
of the prophets, yes — but religion was in a state of decay, impregnated with
the spirit of the world. Therefore its pride was punished and its wisdom
confounded.
II. AROSE FROM THE ILLITERACY OF THE DISCIPLES.
1. Opposition does not exist betweenreligion and science in itself, but between
false knowledge and religion. Two conditions of religious knowledge proceed
from the nature of its object, which is God.(1) The moral intuition of the heart
and conscience.(2)The communication of the Spirit of God. Learning
destitute of these conditions is ignorance, but having them the apostles could
afford to be illiterate. See that learned man with his phylacteries. He reads the
Scriptures, but understands nothing; compare him with the man who was
born blind. Yes, these apostles, opening their minds to the teaching of the
Master, have learned more than all the sages ofJerusalem.
2. Application to the presenttime.(1) Man objects to illiterate Christianity
compared to antichristianity. But the objectionmust be overruled, for
Christianity has knowledge richand fruitful. Fearnothing, therefore.(2)God
wills, perhaps, to leadus back to the intuitions of the heart and conscience.(3)
Above all, we should learn the lessons ofthe upper room, that we may cause
our contemporaries to acknowledge thatwe "have been with Jesus."
(E. De Pressense, D. D.)
Unbelievers astonished
J. W. Burn.
There are two sets of problems which excite the attention of the unbelief of
every age — intellectual and practical. The first provokes antagonism, the
second, mostly wonder. It is with the secondthat we have here to do. Note —

I. THE COURAGE OF THE WEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF
IRRESISTIBLE MIGHT. What that might and that weaknesswere had been
felt eight short weeks ago. Norhad the one grown weakerorthe other
strongerby lapse of time. Yet in the face of the powerwhich could commit
them to prison, to scourging and to the cross, these two helpless men
deliberately brought themselves into collisionwith the authorities. The like
has been witnessedin every age, whenthe tender child, the gentle maiden, the
agedhave dared the fires of martyrdom for the cause of Christ. The like is
still witnessedin the conflict with the powers of darkness, the resistance to
worldly solicitation, the endurance of contempt, poverty, and affliction even
with gladness. Whence this courage? asksthe infidel. Ah! we know. "We have
been with Jesus."
II. THE VICTORY OF THE IGNORANT WHEN CONFRONTED WITH
THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD. What chance had these uneducated
fishermen in the presence of whole college oflearned Rabbis? Yet the Rabbis
were made to look very foolish, and the fishermen won a triumph such as a
philosopher might have envied. So has it ever been. It was so with Jesus as a
child, it was so with Him as a man. "Whence has this man letters?" It has
been so with His followers eversince. How often has Christianity been slain in
the opinion of its opponents! Scholarshiphas left no weaponunused. But the
victory of Christianity is all along the line. And this not because ofthe labours
of its learned"apologists." The disciples of were not vanquished by the
treatises of, but by the witness of obscure slaves and artisans. The tide of
infidelity in the last century was not stemmed by Butler's "Analogy," but by
the testimony of Kingswoodcolliers and Lincolnshire labourers. The good
fight of faith to-day is not wonby academic men in secludedcloisters, but by
"unlearned and ignorant " successors ofthe men who could not but speak the
things they had seenand heard. And sceptics marvel. They need not, for it is
an open secret, "We have been with Jesus."
III. THE PERSISTENCYWITHWHICH CHRISTIANS ADHERE TO A
DISCREDITED CAUSE. Here were men calmly avowing themselves disciples
of a crucified malefactor, and prepared to be crucified themselves rather than
abandon not simply His cause, but His very cross. It was this which astonished
the cultured Greek and the practical Roman; it is this which has astounded

both persecutors and onlookers eversince. The offence of the cross has not
ceased, yet millions still glory in it. Wonderful, says the worldling, that these
fanatics should renounce our pleasures and profits, and deliberately prefer a
life of self-sacrificeand service of others. Wonderful, says the modern thinker,
that men in the nineteenth century should hold to a creedformulated in the
first. Notat all wonderful, says the Christian, "I have been with Jesus."
IV. THE REASON OF IT ALL, which is the greatestwonder. How can there
be fellowship with Jesus? And if that were possible, how can that fellowship
make men bold in persecution, invincible in argument, enthusiastic in
attachment, and so hold the field all through the centuries? Ah, perhaps we
ourselves cannottell. All we can sayis, "We have been with Jesus, and He has
baptized us with the powerfrom on high, which has made us bold. We have
been with Jesus, and have learnedof Him, and with His wisdom have been
made wise. We have been with Jesus, and His love has createda union which
death, life, angels, principalities, powers, etc., cannotbreak." We can say
nothing further to a wondering world except"Come and see";then you will
know what we know, but cannot speak.
(J. W. Burn.)
They took knowledge ofthem, that they had been with Jesus
Christians who have been with Jesus
J. Lathrop, D. D.
The apostles are calledunlearned and ignorant, or private men, i.e., men of
private education. They were not men who then appeared unlearned and
ignorant. The freedom with which they spake, their knowledge ofthe
Scriptures, and the force of their reasoning, convincedthe rulers that they
were at that time men of superior abilities and acquirements. But it was
matter of wonder how these men who had only had a private education, and
never had been instructed in the Jewishschools, shouldso speak;but the fact
that "they had been with Jesus" was sufficientto accountfor it all. It is here
observable, that though Christ chose men of private education, yet He sent

them not forth to preach until they had been for some time under His own
immediate instruction': Paul, whose earlyeducation had been superior, was
previously instructed in the doctrines of the gospelby Ananias. Even in that
day, when uncommon gifts were bestowedby the Spirit, a preparatory
educationwas ordinarily required for the gospelministry. Novices were not to
be introduced into so greatand important aa office. How absurd is it, then, in
this day, when supernatural gifts have ceased, forthe unlearned and ignorant
to assume, without a previous education, the work of public instruction!
I. THE EXPRESSION"BEINGWITH JESUS" may be applied to —
1. All who enjoy the gospel. Peterand John, and their fellow disciples, were
admitted to familiar converse with their Lord. You have His gospel, which
communicates the instructions they heard, the works they beheld, the example
they followed, and the devotions in which they joined. In regard therefore to
all the purposes of faith, knowledge and virtue, you may be with Him as truly
as they were. If a living voice will touch the heart more sensibly, yet the
written word is better adapted to enrich your memory and improve your
knowledge.
2. The true believer. He has receivedthe renewing influence of the Spirit of
Christ, and experiencedthe sanctifying power of his gospel. This the first
disciples had. Barelyto behold Christ's works and receive His instructions,
was but a small thing comparedwith this. But there are times when true
believers have specialintercourse with Christ.
(1)In their private devotions.
(2)In socialworship. "Where two or three are gatheredtogetherin My name,
there am I in the midst of them."
(3)In the Holy Communion.
II. THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS. Should —
1. Be watchful againstall sin. You have seenHim who suffered death to
redeem you from iniquity; how canyou continue any longertherein?

2. As having been trained up under His instructions, excelin religious
knowledge.
3. Show themselves to be like Him. Learn of Him to be meek and lowly,
patient and contented, pious and heavenly.
4. Settheir affections on things in heaven, for Jesus is there.
5. Like the apostles, discoverzealand fortitude in the cause of Christ.
6. Be loving.
(J. Lathrop, D. D.)
Fellowshipwith Jesus
Homiletic Review.
I. LIFE'S TRUEST FELLOWSHIP. It is with Jesus.
1. It is real. "Enochwalkedwith God."
2. It is spiritual (Romans 8.).
3. It is heartfelt (Luke 24:32).
4. It is sustaining (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10).
5. It is efficacious (Romans 8:37;Philippians 4:13).
6. It is constant(Matthew 28:20).
II. THE MARKS OF LIFE'S TRUEST FELLOWSHIP.
1. Simple faith (Acts 4:7-12).
2. Manly courage (Acts 4:20).
3. Sanctifiedwisdom (Acts 4:19).
4. Decisive choiceofassociations (Acts 4:23).

5. Faithful consistencyofcharacterin all things (Luke 1:6).
III. THE INFLUENCE OF LIFE'S TRUEST FELLOWSHIP.
1. It awakenssurprise. "'Theymarvelled."
2. It produces conviction. "They took knowledge ofthem that had been with
Jesus."
3. It disarms the enemy (Acts 4:21.)
(Homiletic Review.)
Beenwith Jesus
Homilist.
I. WE MUST BE MUCH WITH HIM BY MEDITATING ON HIS GREAT
LOVE FOR US DISPLAYED IN HIS SUFFERINGS ON OUR BEHALF.
II. WE MUST BE MUCH WITH JESUS IN STUDYING THE EXAMPLE
HE HAS SET US.
III. WE MUST BE MUCH WITH JESUS IN HOLDING COMMUNION
WITH HIM.
(Homilist.)
Keeping company with Jesus
Homiletic Review.
I. IT IS POSSIBLE TO KEEP COMPANYWITH JESUS.
1. In His Word.
2. In the sanctuary.
3. In the closet.

4. At His table.
5. In every path of service.
II. KEEPING COMPANYWITH JESUS WILL RESULT IN SOME
ASSIMILATION OF CHARACTER.
1. In proportion to the degree ofintimacy.
2. The constancyof the intercourse.
3. The regard we have for our Companion.
III. THE RESEMBLANCETO CHRIST, in habit and character, WILL BE
MANIFEST TO THE WORLD. The disciple rosy be unconscious ofit, but.
1. God will see and rewardit.
2. Angels will note it and rejoice.
3. Brethren will discernit and be encouragedorrebuked.
4. The ungodly will be forcedto confess it, to the honour of religion.
(Homiletic Review.)
Fellowshipwith Jesus
W. H. Burton.
I. AS A SPIRITUAL POSSIBILITY. By many lightly esteemed, by some
ignored, and by others denied, fellowship with Him in His work, word,
worship, is real (1 John 1:3). As real now as with the disciples of Emmaus, as
with the youths in the fire, as with Paul, John, or Peter.
II. AS AN ESSENTIALEXPERIENCE. Howeverignoredor denied, it a
necessityofspiritual life. Christ cannot be known but by fellowship.
1. It is the initial actof living faith. Consciouslyorunconsciously, eachsoul
that seekshas fellowship. The woman touchedhem of garment, and fellowship

resulted, though she knew not its meaning. So in prayer of contrite as wellas
in sublimest communion.
2. It is the constantsolaceofearnestspirits: Mid life's perplexing problems
and heavy sorrows, this is support. It is indispensable. The body would as
soonforgetto breathe as the heart to talk with and lean upon Christ. "Lo I
am with you alway," is Christ's promise: "I am continually with Thee," is the
heart's reply.
III. AS A MORAL INSPIRATION The apostles possessedthe secretof true
courage. They, of all men, could be bold —
1. Becausethey believed and did the right. They knew their mission and their
messageSo be Divine; this made them invincible. "If God be for us, who can
be againstus?" "Who is he that shall harm you if you be followers of that
which is good?"
2. Becausethey believed and did the right from a right motive. They were no
time-servers. Many can do the right when such doing is popular. Inquiring too
often what will please, whatwill suit, not what is right, what will profit.
3. Becausethey believed and did the right from a right motive under the
immediate inspiration of Christ. Here was the true secretof courage. "Fear
not, for I am with thee"; "Go in this thy might."
IV. AS THE SECRETOF REAL INFLUENCE. "Theytook knowledge of
them," etc. Priests and scribes and rulers felt the force with which these men
spoke. Theyexerted an influence which —
1. Transcendedsocialdistinctions;they were but fishermen.
2. Surpassededucationalattainments. "They were unlearned and ignorant
men."
3. Lies within our reach. It was when Jacobhad been alone with God that he
was enabled to meet and to overcome his brother. Be much with Christ, and
you shall be a prince amongstmen.
(W. H. Burton.)

Fellowshipwith Christ essentialto courageous testimonyfor Him
DeanAlford.
I. IN THE PRESENCE OF THE WORLD. To have heard or read of Him is
not enough: we must be with Him; walk with Him in a consenting will, love
Him as having first loved us, be joined to Him in one Spirit. They who have
been with Jesus fearnot the pomp, nor the scoffs, nor the threats of men. A
man's religion before the world is one of those things by which his genuineness
as a Christian are most readily tested. By testimony for Christ I do not mean
an obtrusive introduction of His name and doctrines at all times; but a
prudent uncompromising assertionofHis rights and defence of His precepts
and servants when occasionrequires.
II. BEFORE THE FOE WITHIN, a more formidable feat. Many a man could
bear testimony for Christ before a world in arms, who yet is ignominiously
silent in the council chamber of his own heart. There — where he hopes, or
fears, or loves — his Redeemer's name is not heard, his Saviour's precepts are
not alleged, his Master's example is not heeded. Would you find a remedy for
this and uplift the spirit so that it may assertChristianmotives, press
Christian rules of action, put forward Christ as his pattern? Christ must dwell
in your heart by faith.
III. IN THE TIME OF SORROW. Ere we have gone on long in life, hopes
betrayed, fears realised, joys dashed with bitterness, are every man's
companions. And sorrow is a stern suggesterofdoubts and misbelief. Would
you bear a consistenttestimony in the presence ofsorrow? Here, above all,
you require the Saviour's presence. Hearing and reading of Him may do while
the weatheris fair, and the sails are set, and the sea is smooth; but when the
sky is overcast, andthe winds are awake,and the sail is torn, and the billows
rage, we want Him in the boat to steer.
IV. IN THE PERIOD OF PROSPERITY. If sorrows are open foes, successes
are to us enemies in disguise. Many a man has borne noble witness to his
Saviour in adversity, but how few have glorified Him in the broad sunshine of

prosperity I It was the custom of persecutors to try not merely tortures to
shake the constancyof the martyrs — these only a few craven dispositions
heeded — but also to tempt them by the offer of advancement, of lands and
houses, ofrank and honours. And the father of persecutors follows the same
plan. "All these will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." How
shall the. man of wealth, the magistrate, the statesman, render a fearless
testimony to the Masterof his talents and time? Only in one way — only on
one condition. That way is the way of reality — that condition, communion
with his Lord for himself. "Theytook knowledge ofthem, that they had been
with Jesus." How different is the decent tolerationof religion, the respectable
patronising of God, His service and His people, the worldly-prudent care to
graspthe world in one hand and just touch the refuge with the other; from the
genuine Christian character, whose fountains gush evermore within, which is
found always fearless onthe side of God and good, submitting to obloquy if
need be, enduring hardness as a goodsoldier of Christ. And there is nothing
short of being with Jesus that will create such a character. You cannotput it
on — it must result from the gradual accretionofmany experiences, trials,
failures, prayers, years spent under the eye and within the sound of the voice
of the Saviour. You cannot build it up on the shifting sands of fashion, or on
the softand tempting soil of self-indulgence:its foundations must be on the
holy hills, or it will never stand.
V. IN THE HOUR OF DEATH. There will come a day when eachone will be
calledto wrestle with the lastfoe: to bear, in the presence ofhis past life, and
in the presence ofthose who are to outlive him, his witness to Christ. Would
we meet death fearless, andin humble assurance thatwe have a part in One
who has robbed him of his terrors? There is but one way, and that way is, to
have been with Jesus during our lives. There is nothing but the reality of the
Christian life, which can ensure the peace ofthe Christian's death.
VI. IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. Thenwho are they that shall escape the
wrath of the Judge, whom the crashof falling worlds shall strike unmoved
and fearless?There will be found a multitude whom no man can number, who
have washedtheir robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Angels and men shall take knowledge ofthem, that they have been with Jesus.

(DeanAlford.)
The Christian's exemplification of religion
R. P. Buddicom, M. A.
I. BY WHAT MARKS MEN SHOULD TAKE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
CHRISTIAN THAT HE HAS BEEN WITH JESUS.
1. By the exclusive dependence with which he regards Him as his Saviour.
2. By the simplicity with which he acknowledgesHim as a Teacher.
3. By the fidelity with which he follows Him as his Example.
II. TO WHAT END this manifestation is demanded of him.
1. It were a motive of irresistible urgency (if no other existed), to one who
knows his obligations to redeeming goodness, that He who bought him from
the condemnationof endless death, is hereby honoured in the estimation of
men.
2. To this powerful impulse I would add the animating consideration, that the
conduct resulting from a spiritual and saving communion with Jesus Christ
by faith, may be advantageous to others; and induce them to glorify God in
the day of their visitation.Lessons:
1. Remember, ye who profess to seek Jesus,that as the Jews took knowledge
of the apostles that they had been with Him, so the world is taking knowledge
of you.
2. If any here, like the chief priests and Sadducees, are taking knowledgeof
those who have been with Jesus, to blame the goodpart they have chosen — to
cavil at the principles they profess, the joys they feel, the self-denialthey
practice, or the faith in which they delight — Let such ungenerous observers
bear in mind Who hath said, "Blessedis he whosoevershallnot be offended in
Me."
(R. P. Buddicom, M. A.)

Communion with Christ discovered
R. Davies, M. A.
I. WHEN MAY WE BE SAID TO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS?
1. When we have been engagedin private devotion.
2. When we have been attending public worship.
3. When we have been partaking of the Holy Communion. There "we dwell in
Christ, and He in us."
II. BY WHAT PROOFS SHOULD MEN TAKE KNOWLEDGE OF US
THAT WE HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS?
1. By our humility.
2. By our zeal.
3. By our heavenly-mindedness.
4. By our holiness — hatred of sin, and determination to avoid it.
(R. Davies, M. A.)
The assimilationof character
W. Burner, M. A.
It is a law of our nature that we become like those whom we habitually admire
and love. This is the principle according to which religions, whether true or
false, reacton men's minds and hearts for goodor evil. By worshipping, men
are assimilatedto the moral characterofthe objects which they adore. In
China, Buddhist priests have been heard to say, "Think of Buddha, and you
will be transformed into Buddha. If you pray to Buddha and do not become
Buddha, it is because the mouth prays, and not the mind." The same is true in
the highestdegree of Christianity: communion with Godin Christ, in the

powerof the Holy Spirit, must have an assimilating effect, very gradual,
indeed, but sure. "There are," it has been wellsaid, "some men and women in
whose company we are always at our best. While with them, we cannot think
mean thoughts or speak ungenerous words. Theirmere presence is elevation,
purification, sanctity. All the best stops in our nature are drawn out by their
intercourse, and we find a music in our souls that was never there before.
Suppose even that influence prolonged through a month, a year, a lifetime,
and what would not life become? To have lived with Christ must have made
us like Christ: that is to say, a Christian."
(W. Burner, M. A.)
The odour of grace
H. W. Beecher.
Men carry unconscious signs of their life about them. Those that come from
the forge, and those from the lime and mortar, and those from the humid soil,
and those from dusty travel, bear signs of being workmen, and of their work.
One need not ask a merry face or a sadone whether it hath come forth from
joy or from grief. Tears and laughter tell their own story. Should one come
home with fruit, we say, "Thouart come from the orchard"; if with hands full
of wild flowers, "Thouart from the fields"; if one's garments smell of mingled
odours, we say, "Thou hast walkedin a garden." But how much more, if one
hath seenGod, hath held converse of hope and love, and hath walkedin
heaven, should he carry in his eye, his words, and his perfumed raiment, the
sacredtokens ofDivine intercourse!
(H. W. Beecher.)
Fellowshipwith Christ: its visible effects
J. Bowker.

Often when I am on the beach, or even from my window, I look across the
bay; and I canjust see a speck gleaming againstthe greysands, or the surf-
beaten, sullen-looking cliffs of Howth beyond; and I know at once what the
speck is by its whiteness. At other times when the storm has come, and the
waves are sweeping overthe rocks, I see a light speck upon the dark cloud
curtain; and I know it is a brave little sea-gullin its white coat. So when we
have given ourselves to Jesus, it should be easyfor those round about us to see
that we have. When, like the bird on the sands, we are doing our lowly work,
the white robe should be visible; and in sorrow and trouble the whiteness
should gleamas it did in the lives of those men of whom we are told in the
New Testamentthat others "took knowledgeofthem that they had been with
Jesus."
(J. Bowker.)
Communication with Christ the secretof powerto bless men
Homiletic Monthly.
On Thursday evening, March29, 1883, forabove an hour all who had
occasionto use the telephone in Chicago found it vibrating to musical tones.
Private and public telephones, and even the police and fire-alarm instruments,
were alike affected. The source of the music was a mystery until the following
day, when it was learnedthat a telegraph wire, which passesnearmost of the
telephone wires, was connectedwith the harmonic system;that tunes were
being played over it, and that the telephone wires took up the sounds by
induction. If one wire carrying sweetsounds from place to place could so
affectanother wire by simply being near to it, how ought Christians in
communication with Christ in heaven to affectall with whom they come in
contactin the world. The Divine music of love and gentleness in their lives
should be a blessing to society.
(Homiletic Monthly.)

Communication with Christ the source of pulpit power
C. H. Spurgeon.
It is related that one of his hearers once asked, "How is it that Mr. Bramwell
always has something that is new to tell us when he preaches?" "Why," said
the personinterrogated, "you see Brother Bramwelllives so near the gates of
heaven that be hears a greatmany things that we don't get near enough to
hear anything about."
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Christ's people -- imitators of Him
C. H. Spurgeon.
I. WHAT A BELIEVER SHOULD BE — a striking likeness ofChrist. You
have read lives of Christ beautifully and eloquently written, but the bestlife of
Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His
people. A Christian should imitate Christ in —
1. His boldness. This is a virtue nowadays calledimpudence, but the grace is
equally valuable by whatever name it may be called. Christ dealt out honest
truth; He never knew the fear of man; He stoodout God's chosen, carelessof
man's esteem. Be like Christ in this. Have none of the time-serving religion of
the presentday, which only flourishes in a hot-bed atmosphere, a religion
which is only to be perceivedin goodcompany. No;if ye are the servants of
God, be like Jesus Christ; never blush to own your religion; your profession
will never disgrace you — take care you never disgrace that.
2. His loveliness. The one virtue of boldness will never make you like Christ.
There have been some who, by carrying their courage to excess,have been
caricatures ofChrist and not portraits. Let courage be the brass; let love be
the gold. Let us mix the two together, so shall we produce a rich Corinthian
metal, fit to be manufactured into the beautiful gate of the temple. The man
who is bold may accomplishwonders. John Knox did much, but he might
have done more if he had had a little love. Luther was a conqueror — still, if

while "he had the fortiter in re he had been also suaviterin mode, he might
have done even more goodthan he did. So, while we too are bold, let us ever
imitate the loving Jesus.
3. His humility. In England a sovereignwill not speak to a shilling, and a
shilling will not notice a sixpence, and a sixpence will sneerat a:penny. But it
should not be so with Christians. We ought to forget caste, degree, andrank,
when we come into Christ's church. Recollect, Christian, who your Master
was — a man of the poor.
4. His holiness.
II. WHEN SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE THIS? For there is an idea in the
world that persons ought to be very religious on a Sunday, but that it does not
matter what they are on a Monday. Is there a time when the warrior may
unbuckle his armour, and become like other men? No; at all times and in
every place let the Christian be what he professesto be. I remember talking
with a person who said, "I do not like visitors who come to my house and
introduce religion; I think we ought to have religion when we go to the house
of God, but not in the drawing-room." I suggestedthat there would be a great
deal of work for the upholsterers in that case. "How is that?" was the
question. "Why," I replied, "we should need to have beds fitted up in all our
places of worship, for surely we need religion to die with, and consequently
every one would want to die there." Aye, we all need the consolations ofGod
at last; but how canwe expectto enjoy them unless we obey the precepts of
religion during life? Imitate Christ —
1. In public. Mostof us live in some sort of publicity. The eagle-eyed, argus-
eyed world observes everything we do; and sharp critics are upon us. Let us
live the life of Christ in public. Let us exhibit our Master, and not ourselves —
so that we cansay, "It is no longerI that live, but Christ that liveth "in me."
2. In the Church. How many there are like Diotrephes, seeking pre-eminence,
instead of remembering that there all men are equal — alike brethren. Let
your fellow-members say of you, "He has been with Jesus."

3. In your houses. RowlandHill once said he would not believe a man to be a
true Christian, if his wife, his children, the servants, and even the dog and cat
were not the better for it.
4. In secret. Whenno eye seethyou except the eye of God, then be ye like
Jesus Christ. Remember His secretdevotion — how, after laboriously
preaching the whole day, He stole away in the midnight shades to cry for help
from His God. Take care of your secretlife.
III. WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE THIS?
1. Fortheir own sakes. Fortheir honesty's sake, their credit's sake, their
happiness' sake;let them imitate Christ.
2. Forreligion's sake. The professorwho has not lived up to his profession;
the man who eaters the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep's clothing —
such men injure the gospelmore than the laughing infidel or the sneering
critic.
3. ForChrist's sake. "Ifye love Me, keepMy commandments." Be like Christ,
since gratitude demands obedience;so shall the world know that ye have been
with Jesus.
IV. HOW HE CAN BE SO.
1. You must know Christ as your Redeemerbefore you can follow Him as
your Exemplar.
2. You must study Christ's character. There is a wondrous powerabout that,
for the more you regard it the more you will be conformed to it. I view myself
in the glass, Igo away, and forget what I was. I behold Christ, and I become
like Christ.
3. "But," sayyou, "we have done that, and we have proceededbut little
farther." Then correctyour poor copy every day. At night recount all the
actions of the twenty-four hours, scrupulously putting them under review.
When I have proof sheets sentto me of any of my writings, I have to make the
corrections in the margin. I might read them over fifty times, and the printers
would still put in the errors if I did not mark them.

4. Seek more of the Spirit of God. Take the cold iron, and attempt to weld it if
you caninto a certain shape. How fruitless the effort! Lay it on the anvil, seize
the blacksmith's hammer with all your might; let blow after blow fall upon it,
and you shall have done nothing. But put it in the fire, let it be softenedand
made malleable, then lay it on the anvil, and eachstroke shall have a mighty
effect, so that you may fashionit into any form you may desire. So take your
heart, put it into the furnace; there let it be molten, and after that it can be
turned like wax to the seal, and fashioned into the image of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:To be like Christ is to enter heaven; but to be unlike Christ is to
descendto hell. Likes shall be gatheredtogetherat last, tares with tares,
wheatwith wheat.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
The true joyfulness of a witness for God
C. Gerok.
I. ON WHAT IT IS FOUNDED.
1. The experience of grace in the heart.
2. The pure Word of God on the lip.
3. The exemplary walk in the life.
II. HOW IT SHOWS ITSELF.
1. In the pulpit by the joyful opening of the mouth.
2. In the world by the fearless testimonyof the truth.
3. Under the cross by peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
III. HOW IT WORKS.
1. To the confusionof the adversaries.
2. To the building up of the Church.

3. To the glory of God.
(C. Gerok.)
The means of silencing blasphemers
C. H. Spurgeon.
I. JOYFUL PERSEVERANCE IN TESTIMONY.
II. EXHIBITION OF FRUITS OF WORK.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(13) When they saw the boldness of Peterand John.—John, so far as we read,
had not spoken, but look and bearing, and, perhaps, unrecorded words,
showedthat he too sharedPeter’s courage. That“boldness ofspeech” had
been characteristic ofhis Lord’s teaching (Mark 8:32; John 7:13). It was now
to be the distinctive feature of that of the disciples: here of Peter;in Acts
28:31, 2Corinthians 3:12; 2Corinthians 7:4, of St. Paul; in 1John4:17; 1John
5:14, of the beloved disciple. It is, perhaps, characteristic that the last named
uses it not of boldness of speechtowards men, but of confidence in
approaching God. The Greek wordfor “whenthey saw” implies
“considering” as wellas beholding; that for “perceived” would be better
expressedby having learnt, or having ascertained. The Greek verb implies,
not direct perception, but the graspwith which the mind lays hold of a fact
after inquiry. In Acts 25:5, it is rightly translated “whenI found.”
Unlearned and ignorant.—The first of the two words means, literally,
unlettered. Looking to the specialmeaning of the “letters” or“Scriptures” of
the Jews, fromwhich the scribes took their name (grammateis, from

grammata), it would convey, as used here the sense of “nothaving been
educatedas a scribe, not having studied the Law and other sacredwritings.”
It does not occurelsewhere in the New Testament. The secondword means
literally, a private person, one without specialoffice or calling, or the culture
which they imply: what in English might be calleda “common man.” It
appears againin 1Corinthians 14:16;1Corinthians 14:23-24, with the same
meaning. Its later history is curious enough to be worth noting. The Vulgate,
instead of translating the Greek word, reproduced it, with scarcelyan
alteration, as idiota. It thus passedinto modem Europeanlanguages with the
idea of ignorance and incapacity closelyattachedto it, and so acquired its
later sense of“idiot.”
They took knowledge ofthem, that they had been with Jesus.—Better, they
beganto recognise. The tense is in the imperfect, implying that one after
another of the rulers beganto remember the persons of the two Apostles as
they had seenthem with their Masterin the Temple. These two, and these two
alone, may have been seenby many of the Council on that early dawn of the
day of the Crucifixion in the court-yard of the high priest’s palace (John
18:15).
MacLaren's Expositions
Acts
THE FIRST BLAST OF TEMPEST
WITH AND LIKE CHRIST
Acts 4:13.

Two young Galilean fishermen, before the same formidable tribunal which a
few weeksbefore had condemned their Master, might well have quailed. And
evidently ‘Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander,
and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest,’ were very much
astonishedthat their united wisdom and dignity did not produce a greater
impression on these two contumacious prisoners. They were ‘unlearned,’
knowing nothing about Rabbinical wisdom; they were ‘ignorant,’ or, as the
word ought rather to be rendered, ‘persons in a private station,’without any
kind of official dignity. And yet there they stood, perfectly unembarrassedand
at their ease, and saidwhat they wanted to say, all of it, right out. So, as great
astonishment crept over the dignified ecclesiastics who were sitting in
judgment upon them, their astonishment led them to remember what, of
course, they knew before, only that it had not struck them so forcibly, as
explaining the Apostles’ demeanour- viz.,’that they had been with Jesus.’So
they said to themselves:‘Ah, that explains it all! There is the root of it. The
company that they have kept accounts for their unembarrassedboldness.’
Now, I need not notice by more than a word in passing, whata testimony it is
to the impression that that meek and gracious Suffererhad made upon His
judges, that when they saw these two men standing there unfaltering, they
beganto remember how that other Prisonerhad stood. And perhaps some of
them began to think that they had made a mistake in that lasttrial. It is a
testimony to the impression that Christ had made that the strange demeanour
of His two servants recalledthe Masterto the mind of the judges.
I. The first thing that strikes us here is the companionship that transforms.
The rulers were partly right, and they were partly wrong. The source from
which these men had drawn their boldness was their being with Christ; but it
was not such companionship with Christ, as Annas and Caiaphas had in view,
that had given them courage. Foras long as the Apostles had His personal

presence with them, there was no perceptible transforming or elevating
process going onin them; and it was not until after they had lost that
corporealpresence thatthere came upon them the change which even the
prejudiced eyes of these judges could not help seeing.
The writer of Acts gives a truer explanation with which we may fill out the
incomplete explanation of the rulers, when he says, ‘Then Peter, filled with the
Holy Ghost, said unto them.’ Ah, that is it! They had been with Jesus all the
days that He went in and out amongstthem. They had companionedwith
Him, and they had gained but little from it. But when He went away, and they
were relegatedto the same kind of companionship with Him that you and I
have or may have, then a change beganto take place on them. And so the
companionship that transforms is not what the Apostle calls ‘knowing Christ
after the flesh,’but inward communion with Him, the companionship and
familiarity which are as possible for us as for any Peteror John of them all,
and without which our Christianity is nothing but sounding brass and tinkling
cymbal.
They were ‘with Jesus,’as eachof us may be. Their communion was in no
respectdifferent from the communion that is open and indispensable to any
real Christian. To be with Him is possible for us all. When we go to our daily
work, when we are compassedaboutby distracting and trivial cares, when
men come buzzing round us, and the ordinary secularities oflife seemto close
in upon us like the walls of a prison, and to shut out the blue and the light-oh!
it is hard, but it is possible, for every one of us to think these all away, and to
carry with us into everything that blessedthought of a Presencethat is not to
be put aside, that sits beside me at my study table, that stands beside you at
your tasks, that goes with you in shop and mart, that is always near, with its
tender encircling, with its mighty protection, with its all-sufficing sweetness
and power. To be with Christ is no prerogative, either of Apostles and
teachers ofthe primitive age, or of saints that have passedinto the higher
vision; but it is possible for us all. No doubt there are as yet unknown forms

and degrees ofcompanionship with Christ in the future state, in comparison
with which to be ‘present in the body is to be absentfrom the Lord’; but in
the inmost depth of reality, the soulthat loves is where it loves, and has whom
it loves ever with it. ‘Where the treasure is, there will the heart be also,’and
we may be with Christ if only we will honestly try hour by hour to keep
ourselves in touch with Him, and to make Him the motive as well as the end of
the work that other men do along with us, and do from altogethersecularand
low motives.
Another phase of being with Christ lies in frank, full, and familiar
conversationwith Him. I do not understand a dumb companionship. When we
are with those that we love, and with whom we are at ease, speechcomes
instinctively. If we are co-denizens of the Father’s house with the Elder
Brother, we shall talk to Him. We shall not need to be reminded of the ‘duty
of prayer,’ but shall rather instinctively and as a matter of course, without
thinking of what we are doing, speak to Him our momentary wants, our
passing discomforts, our little troubles. There may be a greatdeal more virtue
in monosyllabic prayers than in long liturgies. Little jets of speechoreven of
unspokenspeechthat go up to Him are likely to be heart-felt and to be heard.
It is said of Israel’s army on one occasion, ‘they cried unto God in the battle,
and He was entreatedof them.’ Do you think that theirs would be very
elaborate prayers? Was there any time to make a long petition when the
swordof a Philistine was whizzing about the suppliant’s ears? It was only a
cry, but it was a cry; and so ‘He was entreatedof them.’ If we are ‘with
Christ’ we shall talk to Him; and if we are with Christ He will talk to us. It is
for us to keepin the attitude of listening and, so far as may be, to hush other
voices, in order that His may be heard, If we do so, even here ‘shall we ever be
with the Lord.’
II. Now, note next the characterthat this companionship produces.

Annas and Caiaphas said to eachother: ‘Ah, these two have been with that
Jesus!That is where they have got their boldness. They are like Him.’
As is the Master, so is the servant. That is the broad, generalprinciple that
lies in my text. To be with Christ makes men Christlike. A soul habitually in
contactwith Jesus will imbibe sweetnessfrom Him, as garments laid awayin
a drawer with some preservative perfume absorb fragrance from that beside
which they lie. Therefore the surest way for Christian people to become what
God would have them to be, is to direct the greaterpart of their effort, not so
much to the acquirement of individual characteristicsand excellences, as to
the keeping up of continuity of communion with the Master. Thenthe
excellenceswillcome. Astronomers, for instance, have found out that if they
take a sensitive plate and lay it so as to receive the light from a star, and keep
it in place by giving it a motion corresponding with the apparent motion of the
heavens, for hours and hours, there will become visible upon it a photographic
image of dim stars that no human eye or telescope cansee. Persistentlying
before the light stamps the image of the light upon the plate. Communion with
Christ is the secretof Christlikeness. So insteadof all the wearisome, painful,
futile attempts at tinkering one’s own characterapart from Him, here is the
royal road. Not that there is no effort in it. We must never forget nor
undervalue the necessityfor struggle in the Christian life. But that truth needs
to be supplemented with the thought that comes from my text-viz. that the
fruitful direction in which the struggle is to be mainly made lies in keeping
ourselves in touch with Jesus Christ, and if we do that, then transformation
comes by beholding. ‘We all, reflecting as a mirror does, the glory of the Lord,
are transformed into the same image.’ ‘They have been with Jesus,’and so
they were like Him.
But now look at the specific kinds of excellencewhich seemto have come out
of this communion. ‘They beheld the boldness of Peterand John.’ The word
that is translated ‘boldness’no doubt conveys that idea, but it also conveys
another. Literally it means ‘the act of saying everything.’ It means openness of

unembarrassedspeech, and so comes to have the secondarysignification,
which the text gives, of ‘boldness.’
Then, to be with Christ gives a living knowledge ofHim and of truth, far in
advance of the head knowledge ofwise and learnedpeople. It was a factthat
these two knew nothing about what Rabbi This, or Rabbi That, or Rabbi The
Other had said, and yet could speak, as they had been speaking, large
religious ideas that astonishedthese hide-bound Pharisees,who thought that
there was no way to get to the knowledge ofthe revelation of God made to
Israel, exceptby the road of their own musty and profitless learning. Ay! and
it always is so. An ounce of experience is worth a ton of theology. The men
that have summered and wintered with Jesus Christ may not know a great
many things that are supposed to be very important parts of religion, but they
have got hold of the central truth of it, with a power, and in a fashion, that
men of books, and ideas, and systems, and creeds, and theologicallearning,
may know nothing about. ‘Not many wise men after the flesh, not many
mighty, are called.’Let a poor man at his plough-tail, or a poor woman in her
garret, or a collier in the pit, have Jesus Christ for their Companion, and they
have got the kernel; and the gentlemen that like such diet may live on the shell
if they will, and can. Religious ideas are of little use unless there be heart-
experiences;and heart-experiences are wonderful teachers ofreligious truth.
Again, to be with Christ frees from the fear of man. It was a new thing for
such persons as Peterand John to stand cooland unawed before the Council.
Not so very long ago one of the two had been frightened into a momentary
apostasyby dread of being haled before the rulers, and now they are calmly
heroic, and threats are idle words to them. I need not point to the strong
presumption, raisedby the contrastof the Apostles’ pastcowardice and
present courage, ofthe occurrence ofsome such extraordinary facts as the
Resurrection, the Ascension, and the Descentofthe Spirit. Something had
happened which revolutionised these men. It was their communion with Jesus,
made more real and deep by the cessationofHis bodily presence, whichmade

Jesus was a man of boldness

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