boldly go

Freedom Way

Posted on by Betsy

My travel to the Candler School of Theology for three years of seminary classes took me through some of the worst parts of Atlanta, Georgia. Traffic, multiple stop lights, confusing intersections, and impossible junctions were all part of the commute. I would sit at one particularly long red light every day and watch the progress of a new road being constructed that would eventually cut ten minutes off my ride. It was built adgacent to the Martin Luther King center. The day it opened I sailed along its long pastoral corridor and thought how aptly named it was. It was called “Freedom Parkway.” Its location was a fitting nod to the incredible work King did in his lifetime as he fought for civil rights for all people. A Baptist minister, King was exceptionally endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit to be bold, persuasive, persevering, and effective.

 In our reading today, Stephen was said to have the same power to persuade people about Christ. He was described as one who stood out for his notable wonders and signs and for his exceptional endowment of divine power. Many tried to argue with him in opposition to his theology, including some from the Synagogue of Freedmen. I find it ironic that freedmen resisted the freedom of the Gospel. But according to verse ten, none of them could resist his message. His wisdom wooed even the most ardent detractor, so eventually his fiercest opponents lied about his preaching and brought him up on false charges.

The parallels between King and Stephen really stand out in this passage. King was falsely accused and arrested for proclaiming the truth of God’s unconditional love, mercy, and justice for all people. Both men were bold, and both were persecuted for their faith.

Acts 6: 8-10 (Common English Bible)

8 Stephen, who stood out among the believers for the way God’s grace was at work in his life and for his exceptional endowment with divine power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose from some who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Former Slaves. Members from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia entered into debate with Stephen.10 However, they couldn’t resist the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

I wonder if I am bold enough.

I wonder if I am persuasive enough.

I wonder if I am effective enough.

How about you? Is your witness powerful enough to be irresistible to those willing to listen and threatening enough to those who oppose the Gospel?

Stephen was full of grace, faith, and power. He also was willing. This is an unbeatable combination. Surely Stephen spent a great deal of time in the presence of God in meditation, study, and prayer. Surely he offered his gift of oratory to the Holy Spirit and yielded his own comfort to the call of being an itinerate preacher. Surely, he was not just willing, but able.

This is a reminder to us today that when we submit to the power of the Holy Spirit, we, too, can be outstanding in our witness. May we seek and know the Spirit’s irresistible power so that others may know Jesus through us and be freed.

Freedom Way by Kathy Schumacher

Accuracy Counts

Posted on by Betsy

The movie “Hidden Figures” is a wonderful story about three women who worked for NASA during the space race of the 1960s. They were expert mathematicians and analytical geometry specialists who performed the complex calculations that enabled the United States to accomplish its first successful launches and orbits before computers were in place at Mission Control.

Work of that nature has to be done with great precision. One wrong equation could lead to disaster and the death of the astronauts. It is mind-boggling to me that paper, pencil, chalk boards, and slide rulers could put a man into orbit, and yet that is exactly how the early space program began.

Our reading from Acts today addresses a different type of accuracy which should be a goal of every Christian. We read about Apollos, who was described as well-educated and instructed in the Scriptures, which enabled him to speak and teach accurately about Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies. Apollos spoke effectively and boldly and was said to have “watered what Paul had planted” in Achaia. Along the way he received further instruction from Priscilla and Aquila and was received into their circle of friends.

Acts 18:24-28 (Common English Bible)

24 Meanwhile, a certain Jew named Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He was a native of Alexandria and was well-educated and effective in his use of the scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and spoke as one stirred up by the Spirit. He taught accurately the things about Jesus, even though he was aware only of the baptism John proclaimed and practiced. 26 He began speaking with confidence in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they received him into their circle of friends and explained to him God’s way more accurately. 27 When he wanted to travel to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples so they would open their homes to him. Once he arrived, he was of great help to those who had come to believe through grace. 28 He would vigorously defeat Jewish arguments in public debate, using the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ.

There are so many learning points in this short passage!

First, we learn that Apollos was instructed in the word, which is a reminder to us of our need to be sitting under a teacher’s instruction on a regular basis. Sunday School is not something we ever outgrow! Our need for daily and weekly Bible study is a life-long venture.

Second, we see that Apollos was “stirred up by the Spirit” which enabled him to speak with confidence (verse 25). This indicates that Apollos spent quiet time with the Spirit in prayer and meditation. When is the last time you pulled away from your busy life to seek the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit?

Third, we see that Apollos was open to further instruction by other followers. This is an indication of a humble attitude that led him to further learning. Are you a humble learner? Even those who teach the Scriptures are constantly learning.

Finally, Apollos spoke boldly enough to vigorously defeat Jewish arguments and prove that Jesus was the Christ. Are we vigorous in our witness? Are we bold like Apollos?

 The early church benefited from people like this who followed God’s direction to go and tell the good news. The present church demands the same of us: to boldly speak with well-informed accuracy the truth of the gospel of our Lord to all who will hear. 

Boldly Go by Becca Ziegler