Those apostles were a pretty stalwart bunch. They took a licking and kept on ticking. Even proud of the abuse they took in the name of Jesus. I can’t remember the last time I was proud I got beat up for something I told someone. It’s probably because I never told anyone something they would beat me up for. I live in Canada. So I’m not really under threat of persecution for being a Christian. Some are, and that sucks. The worst I get is weird looks from friends, and family thinking I’m nuts. But that’s enough to keep from talking about my faith much. I’m not sure how well my faith would hold up to threats of jail, and beatings, and eventually death. But theses apostles not only keep teaching in the face of this, they relish the chance to do so. They’re pretty badass.
They knew how to preach too. I’m sure it was nothing compared to modern day sermons. I get the impression that the apostles speaking in public drew HUGE crowds of really interested people. If not, the Pharisees probably would have left them alone. Why make a big fuss over a non threat. The fact that no amount of persecution could sway these people from proclaiming what they knew to be the truth is pretty good testimony too. When you continue to claim something’s the truth, even under threat of death, I’ll tend to believe you more readily.
Of course it helps when you have angels letting you out of jail. (Insert monopoly “get out jail free card” joke here.) I’m sad I couldn’t figure out how to get that into the comic.
Thanks for reading.
Jared
If you can’t beat them, join them!
Or kill them. But that’s not very motivational.