Title Acts 04:12-22 We must preach
The content should still be conveyed.
Acts 4:12-22
Catholicism in Korea started missions in 1784, and Christianity in 1884. However, there are about 2.5 million Catholics, and there are over 10 million Christians. Of course, there are many reasons, but Catholicism has taken an ambiguous position at the heart of the Gospel. However, Christianity refused to visit a shrine because it was bowing down to a Japanese demon. Sacrifices were against the Ten Commandments, and alcohol and tobacco were rejected because they interfere with health and worship. Therefore, today's church must be an evangelical church rather than compromising with the sins of the world.
Peter exclaimed to Jews who value the traditions of the past that only Jesus Christ can save us. They cried out that the only way to heaven is Jesus. Therefore (Acts 4:4), among those who heard the word, many believed.
1. Our only savior is Jesus (verse 12).
Why did Peter say that Jesus is the only one who can save us? The meaning of salvation in verse 12 includes physical salvation that caused the crippled to walk in front of the temple, but more importantly, it is soul salvation.
People often say, "Wherever you go, you just need to go to Seoul." They say that all religions seek good, so you only need to believe in one thing. It never is.
Religion must have three elements to be a correct religion. The first is the object of faith (God). The second is a believer. The third is wealth.
The word religion is derived from the Latin "Religare". Recantius, a Roman imperial teacher, said that religion "reconnects". All descendants after Adam are sinners who have no choice but to die because they have left God. But through Jesus, the way of salvation has been opened. (John 14:6, Matthew 11:29-30, John 14:27)
However, in other religions, you can learn the philosophy of life, but there is no truth of salvation. ① There is no truth of salvation in Buddhism. It is said that the disciples answered the question, "How can we be saved?" to Shakyamuni, and said, "Work hard on the way of your salvation." Buddhism is therefore a religion of works, a religion of self-belief.
② Confucius' Confucianism is ethical. It is said that just before Confucius died, his disciples asked him to show him the way after his death. “However, in life, I don't know everything about life, so how do I know what happens after death?” said Confucius.
③ Muslim Muhammad said, "I prayed until my knees were worn out to wash away my sins." But Jesus spoke the truth of salvation." (John 3:16) Whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life."
2. How should we do evangelism?
1) We must evangelize bravely with the wisdom of faith (verses 13-14).
I saw a bullfight a few years ago and saw the owner feeding him soju. But these days, I'm on drugs. When cows take drugs, they fight to death.
When Peter understood the gospel and received grace, his fear disappeared. The assembled people marveled when they saw that ignorant Peter had become bold.
Verse 13 has two special notes.
① To say that there is no reproach means that Peter proclaimed the gospel of Jesus that he had in his heart without fear.
②The criminal without education means that he thought Peter was ignorant. It is said that by the time the independent newspaper was published in our country 100 years ago, illiteracy was over 98%. However, in the days of Jesus, the Jews were almost illiterate through the synagogue education. However, when they saw Peter, they ignored him as an ignorant fisherman. However, God's work is done better by those who have confidence in faith than those who have studied a lot.
2) Evangelism is obedience to the word of God rather than the word of man (verses 17-20).
The Sanhedrin Council, which captured Peter, functions like the current National Assembly. But how could ignorant Peter boldly preached in front of such intellectuals? It is because they valued the words of God rather than the words of men. (Verse 20) Therefore, evangelism is speaking of what you have seen and heard like Peter did (verse 20). It is to cry out with confidence and boldness.
Evangelism does not mean quitting because it is difficult. Even if you are threatened by others, you should still tell them. Even if you are ridiculed for being ignorant, you still have to tell them. "Hallelujah!