Based on Acts 5:17-42 (New King James Version)
“Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.’ And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, saying, ‘Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!’ Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. So one came and told them, saying, ‘Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!’ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, ‘Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!’ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.’ When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: ‘Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.’ And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Was it easier for the Gospel back then? Many might say erroneously that it was easier before to follow the Lord and share the Gospel than now. And I have to say that it would be an error because the beginning of the Gospel was very difficult, starting with the Lord Himself. We need to remember that the religious with the consent of the people and Rome (by virtue that Pilate made it possible), practically the entire world crucified the Lord. There were only a select few that were with the Lord. And after the Lord, there were many highs and lows, and the numbers grew, but then they were persecuted and dispersed. And as we read in this passage, the apostles were jailed and beaten. So then, today is still probably easier to follow the Lord than before in many places. So then, what is happening today?
According to the latest statistics of this kind, supposedly there are approximately 2.382 billion Christians in the world, which makes us still the religion with the most followers in the world. But does it have the same power it had before? Can we see the power in the church that was seen in the apostles? We are a very big number, but unfortunately, we do not see what we saw with the apostles, not even the shadow of what was written. Why? Is the problem that the Gospel lost Its power somehow? Has It grown weaker over time?
The first thing we must explain is that the Gospel has not lost Its power because It is something based on the Person of Jesus Christ, and just as the Word says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. The Gospel is not a religion, but rather, it is about a relationship with God. It is the plan of salvation for mankind through the Lord. So, it is impossible for It to have lost Its power. How do I know God has not changed? Because all of the things that were created and established by God continue the same. The sun rises and sets just like before. The stars and celestial masses continue in the same order the Almighty left them. And blessed be the Lord that both the small (per se) and the even the largest and infinite things that we depend on remains the same as the Lord maintains them through His person, by virtue of His own existence.
So then, what has changed? Man. There is much mixture, sin, and lack of faith within God’s supposed people, and that is what has changed the effect of the Gospel in the world. There are no longer men and women with the faith from before, like what the apostles and disciples had when they purposed within themselves to spread the Gospel just as the Lord commanded them when He said: “…Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. They took this challenge very seriously. As a matter of fact, the Gospel had reached practically the entire known world at the end of the first century. How amazing that in less than 100 years, with something that began with just a few men and women had been spread throughout the whole Roman Empire, and far beyond, in other cultures and languages! Was this the result of the work of the Holy Spirit of God? Of course, but also, in conjunction with the faith and dedication of people that valued the Lord, those who found it more than reasonable to even lay down their lives for the Lord they loved, and the faith they confessed.
And this takes us to our final point. Can the Gospel gain back the manifestation it had in Its beginning? Of course, when God’s so-called people come back to a true faith in the Lord, when they leave aside sin, carnality, and the things of the world. Today, it appears that money, sin, and carnality reign more in the church than the Word of God. Someone asked me a long time ago: “Why don’t we see the miracles from before?” And I had to respond shamefully: “Because of the sin of God’s people.” We are the ones that make the greatest power in the universe seem inferior. Just as the Word says: “…the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you…” Romans 2:24. God desires to show His power, that many people may come to the knowledge of eternal life, but that will only happen with a repented and united people, one that truly loves and treats the Lord as such. So then, do you really want to see the power of the Gospel in your life and around you? Lord bless! John