Irmela

Q2. (Acts 9:9-19) God seemed to initiate Saul's conversion. How did God use Ananias in ministry to Saul? How important is listening and obedience in ministry -- even when we don't understand? Are you prepared if God were to call you to minister to a high-profile person in his Kingdom? Ananias was used as an instrument to get Saul out of his temporary physical blindness and possibly overwhelming almost confusion, as to what had happened to him. Ananias basically confirmed and accepted Saul into the Christian family. Saul was called to bear the Name of Jesus before Gentiles, kings and the Children of Israel. He was also shown what great things he would suffer for Christ's sake. Ananias put his hands on Saul , who then was filled with the the Holy Spirit. Also he acknowledged him as Brother. Then something like scales fell off his eyes. Saul was then baptized (we are not told that Ananias had anything to do with it, but he sure initiated the continuation on the Spiritual Road , which had started when he saw the bright light.) To listen is fulfilling only part of an assignment. Listening and obeying go hand-in-hand. May God grant me ears to hear and willingness to obey at all times.

Q1. (Acts 9:4-5) Why is persecuting the Church the same as persecuting Jesus Himself? What is the bond between Jesus and His Church? Why must we show reverence toward Christ's Church and not disparage it? Jesus is the Head of the Church. When the Real Church is being persecuted, it is the same as persecuting Jesus Himself. In our body, if the foot is hurt, the whole body is hurting. If there is an ingrown hair nodule, the whole body hurts. Not just that place where the hair is growing the wrong direction. So too, when the Real True Church is hurting, the whole body, of which Christ is part, viz., the Head, is hurting. So Christ and the Church are ONE.

Q4. (Acts 8:26-29). Notice how Philip learns what to do -- from an angel (verse 26) and from the Spirit (verse 29). Can God speak to us today by his Spirit, or was this just for the first century? It was definitely not only for the first century, but also for us. As in that time , He spoke in dreams and visions or a clear audible voice, He does so today. As mentioned also by promptings or nudgings, He sure uses some form to speak to us.

Q3. (Acts 8:9-25) What is at the root of Simon Magus's sin? Why is using money to buy spiritual influence, power, and salvation so deeply offensive to God? How is it opposite to God's way? Where do you see this sin in the modern church? Peter speaks of bitterness being in his heart. We meet Simon declaring himself to be great. That would support the idea of there being pride in his heart. He desired to pay for power. So he seems to have enjoyed the idea of being seen, of being looked up to. Possibly being held in high esteem for the magic arts he could perform. God gives freely. It is offensive and even blasphemous to even think of buying spiritual influence, power, and salvation. Christ paid with His life for the salvation of mankind. He laid down His glory and was prepared to humble Himself and become a man, in fact start off life completely as a human being and eventually being crucified as a criminal, He Who knew no sin. Many unfortunately do see that when someone has money he seems to be able to buy spiritual favour or buy healing etc. Many times to attend a meeting or seminar or something out of the ordinary offered by someone in the church, one has to pay an exorbitant fee to attend.

Q2. (Acts 8:4-17) What convinced the Samaritans to believe in Jesus? In your opinion, why didn't the Holy Spirit fall on them at the time of their baptism? Why did Peter and John have to come first? The Samaritans heard and saw. Unclean spirits came out of people, the paralyzed and crippled were healed. The miracles came together with proclaiming the Messiah. God works in the way that He knows is best for each and every occasion. He knows the situation involved and He knows exactly what is needed at the given time. In this situation they were the ones that God used, to see what had been done to people who were not considered as part of the "pure Jews". They were part of confirming the spread of the Good News to the Samaritans. (In Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and the utter ends of the world). God used them, by laying on of hands, to impart the Holy Spirit on those who believed and had been baptized.

Q1. (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19) What enables us to give thanks in all circumstances? What was the short-term effect of Saul's persecution? What was the longer-term effect? The fact that we know without a shadow of a doubt that we are not alone, nevermind the circumstances, and that God is in control. This enables us maybe with tears still glistening on our cheeks or with a pain that seems unending , to still say "Thank You Lord, I am not alone." It is not a thank you for the circumstance but a thanks in the circumstance. The short term effect was that the people were scattered in all directions. The long-term effect was that those that were in different places shared the Good News there. In this way the Gospel was being spread abroad.

Q14. (Matthew 7:3-5) What is humorous about the Parable of the Speck and the Beam? How can we get to a place where we can see with clear spiritual eyes? Why does Paul insist that "spiritual" members correct sinning Christians with gentleness? What does judgmentalism have to do with hypocrisy? The speck is something very tiny, in fact it is something that is not easily seen. It is something insignificant. The beam in turn is enormous and cannot even fit into an eye. One would be totally blinded with a beam in the eye. It sure is extravagant exaggeration. We need to get rid of our glaring sins first before we can even hope to help the next one with any type of sin, be it something insignificant but irritating or glaringly open and seen by all. Confession and sorting out our lives with fellow humans and our Maker is of utmost importance. If we do not deal gently with a sinning Christian, then it easily comes across as being judgmental with condemnation. If and when we are judgmental then very often the same sin is also found in our life and then we are actually hypocrites, by pointing it out for all and sundry to see.

Q13. (Matthew 21:28-31) Which son represents the tax collectors and prostitutes? Why do you think so? Why is it harder to actually obey, rather than just mouth the words? How is the lesson of this parable similar to the lesson of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders? (Matthew 7:24-27) Why is actual obedience essential to true discipleship? The son who first said he would not go and later changed his mind. Jesus' ministry followed on from John's ministry. The tax collectors, harlots and other religious outcasts had at first rejected anything to do with God . They were not part of the followers of God at all. They also were in the crowds listening to John. Many of them repented and then did become followers of God. First in listening to and following what John preached. Then being baptized and later becoming followers and disciples of Jesus. A habit is hard to break. It is easier to just listen and not do, but listening without actions helps nothing. It is like sitting at table ready for a meal. Just seeing the food will not get it eaten and still anyone's hunger . (Action) Picking it up and actually eating it is necessary to still the hunger. Just so hearing words and not putting them into actions helps nothing. The son who said he would work in the vineyard but did not is like one rejecting Jesus' teaching. The builder who did not build on the right foundation is in a similar plight. He heard but did not obey what he heard. He did his own thing. The son who did go and work in the vineyard also heard the message and after humming and haaing actually put into practice what he heard is like the builder who did build on a solid foundation. Who are we as disciples following? Surely obedience to the Master is essential. The one we are obedient to is the one we are disciples of.

Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to "find" the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, "and only a few find it"? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Seeking takes effort. Often when looking for something special, it takes long to eventually find just the right thing. In desperation, sometimes a substitute or inferior thing is eventually taken or done because of not finding what one is looking for. To "find" the narrow gate, we need to seek, for it certainly is worth finding. The end result is the narrow way, due to everything that needs to be put aside in the start of the pilgrimage. All the things which would hamper our journey. These cannot come along on that journey. We need to choose to follow that way. That is why it is a narrow gate. The end of it is a very wide scope, viz., life, and LIFE IN ALL ITS FULLNESS. So it's like a funnel. It starts off narrow and ends off encompassing life eternal. The wide gate is easier to see and is easier to follow in the beginning, because there is no restriction as to what comes along on that path. But here the end is so narrow that it is DEATH. Again like a funnel looking at it from the broad side , going ever narrower and darker or more ominous, because the end result is destruction and death. Only few pursue the looking process. Some just follow the masses. Looking for a gate to enter . . . Oh, here is one. Many are going in here. Let's follow this way. Surely it must be right. Instead of pursuing the search and then finding the entrance not well trodden, for not many seek long enough or not many are willing to lay aside the pleasures of this world. The end result makes it worth to enter the narrow gate and follow that path .

Q11. (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49) Why does Jesus focus the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders on "putting into practice" rather than in "believing"? How can you help young Christians move from believing to true discipleship? The believing principle was already there. The hearing even more of His words came next. Now came the part following on from that : Putting what you have heard into practice. This parable followed on from where Jesus reminded them that they were calling Him, 'Master or Lord', they were acknowledging His authority. So now He is pointing out to them that on strength of that authority, put My words into practice. FOUNDATION is very important in life. If you build on His words you build on a rock foundation. If you build on human effort or human goodness, the weakness of this will soon become apparent. It is like building on sand. That was why He was focusing on putting the teaching into practice. Believing is one step, putting into practice what you believe follows on from that. That promotes growth and true discipleship. Disciples "do". Without practicing what you believe, how can good fruit come from it. Fruit will come . What kind will it be?

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability? Jesus showed the importance of not having something that comes between you and someone else. Be it owing someone money or goods or an apology. The judgement rendered to the guilty party is not always foreseeable. Of course if it is something where you have sinned against your fellowman, and you know you can rectify it by an apology or return of something, then you should do this and have the relationship sorted out. I am reminded of the little chorus we used to sing: Owe no man anything, accept to love one another . . . . The deed keeps on popping up in our minds, alternately the person keeps on coming between the worshipper andthe Lord, if we still have a conscience. Otherwise it gets covered up and the perpetrator gets hardened. A real relationship with the Lord is then not possible. This of course makes worshipping God, a thing of impossibility. The wall of pretense will eventually crumble. It is hypocritical not to address the matter, because we cannot expect to come to God if we have something against our fellowman.

Q9. (Mark 7:14-23; Matthew 15:10-11, 15-20) What does Jesus teach about the heart of man? What does Jeremiah 17:9 tell us about the heart of man? Why do we try to look good on the outside, but resist letting Jesus change us on the inside? Why is repentance necessary for an outwardly "moral" person in order to be saved? What is in the heart makes a man unholy. (That is why we say "let Jesus come into your heart and make that clean). What is in the heart proceeds out of the mouth. Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustfulness, envy, pride, foolishness, theft, false witness and slander. The heart is deceitful above all things and incurable, is what Jeremiah 17:9 tells us. The outside is that which is visible. This is what is seen by everyone. Invariably the person who "looks" nice is the one who is the popular one, or the accepted one. So man in general strives to portray himself as nice, in this way he has favour with mankind. The inside is what needs to change. In general we are careful of change, almost scared of loosing control. We should give over that control to Jesus. Then repentance will take place where necessary and a change of heart will occur. Repentance is necessary so that "put on" moral behaviour is no longer a farce but the natural way of life of that person. It is no longer a pretense but reality. I like the picture that NICOLAAS A.P. MOSTERT portrays with his wording : It is a way of cleaning inside out and this causes the outward to be lit up. Yes, the person is all the more likeable when the inside has been taken care of (has been repented of), and fresh and new thoughts fill his heart which can overflow and touch his fellowman.

Q8. (Matthew 21:33-46) Who do the servants sent to collect the landowner's share of the crop represent? What happened to Israel who rejected God's servants and Son who were sent to them? This is a parable about resisting those whom God sends to us to help us. Have you ever seen a church reject a pastor or leader that God sends to help them? It's a sad thing. Why is supporting our pastors and leaders important to God's plan for the church? (Hebrews 13:7, 17). In the Beatitudes, how does Jesus encourage those who are rejected and persecuted? (Matthew 5:10-12)? The servants represent the prophets that had been raised up and sent to the nation of Israel over the many years. Eventually in 70AD, Jerusalem was utterly destroyed by the Romans - the end of the Jewish nation. The temple was destroyed, the city was burned, the walls pulled down. Utter destruction. Possibly > a million people killed during the siege of the city. A further 97 000 were enslaved. Many later died as gladiators in the Roman arenas. The real leaders are the ones who speak the Word of God, regardless of the outcome. They are not there to tickle the ears of the congregation. They are the ones who are responsible for our 'spiritual welfare'. A workman is worthy of his labour, that is why we should support them. We should pray for them also. Jesus encourages them by telling them that the way they are being dealt with, is on par with the prophets. The result is a great reward in heaven. CHALLENGE!!!!! Does the fruit the Father is looking for in His vineyard reflect in us????? JUSTICE & RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Q6. (Matthew 22:1-10; Luke 14:15-24) Who do the excuse-makers represent? What are the potential results of excusing ourselves from carrying out God's will as we know it? The excuse makers represent the ones that were originally invited. In this instance it is the elite class of the Jewish establishment, viz., the Pharisees and the Sadducees and other in the religious leadership who rejected first John the Baptists call and then Jesus Himself. Finally they topped it all off with the ultimate insult of having Jesus executed as a common criminal. The results could be loosing out on the Gift He is offering us, Eternal Life.

Q7. (Matthew 22:1-10; Luke 14:15-24) In Jesus' Parables of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew) and the Great Banquet (Luke), who are the people represented by those recruited from the streets and lanes of the city? Who are the people represented by those recruited from the highways and hedges? Who do the servant-recruiters represent? How diligent are you and your church in recruiting those who are of a lower class than others in your congregation? What keeps you from this Kingdom task? How might your church fulfill it? The ones represented by the recruits from the streets and the lanes of the city, are the outcast of the Jewish nation. (Not the religious elite, but the ones they looked down upon, viz., the poor of society, the oppressed, the ones that did not keep the law as they wanted it kept (with all the trappings), the tax-collectors, the lepers and the lame, the prostitutes, gamblers, etc. The people represented by those recruited from the highways and hedges, are the ones further afield. The Gentiles. The ones not included in the Jewish nation. ( As Jesus said the disciples would be His witness in Jerusalem, through all Judah and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.) The servant-recruiters first represented His Apostles and disciples. Now we too, who are followers of Jesus, are included to call the lost. To invite them to accept the call. There should be no class differentiation. As with Jesus, there was no class differentiation. All were welcome. He invited all.

Q5. (Luke 13:6-9) What caused Israel's barrenness in Jesus' time? What keeps the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) from growing and maturing in our lives? What can we disciples learn from the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree? Unbelief was a big factor which caused Israel's barrenness, also pride and bitterness towards their oppressors. Hypocrisy among the leaders and discontent and disobedience to God, was also rife. If the flesh with its own passions and desires has not been 'crucified' then we can forget about the fruit of the Holy Spirit from manifesting in our lives. We learn from this parable that the Proprietor's rights are revealed: The place where the fig tree was growing belonged to him, the soil where it was growing in belonged to him and in fact the fig tree belonged to him. He had a right to expect fruit from the fig tree. That was the reason he planted it there in the first place, for fruit. He also had the right to remove the fig tree should it not produce fruit. It was taking up space where another tree could be planted, which would produce the sought for fruit. We also learn that there was an Intercessor/ a gardener. He pleaded for grace for a period, and agreed if that would not bring about desired results, that the tree would be removed. He would 'disturb' the tree by digging around it. Apart from that he too would fertilize the soil, thus giving it another chance to bring forth fruit. Just as for the fig tree, there is a time limit also for us to bring forth fruit. Without fruit we too will be 'pulled out'/destroyed and space given to someone else who will bring forth the desired fruit. We too have an Intercessor, Who works us, Who endeavors to make us bear fruit. I can just cry out to Him to prune the areas in my life that do not bear fruit. Also I thank Him for His mercy and grace which He has shown thus far.

Q4. (Acts 7:52) In what senses is Jesus "the Righteous One"? How should his righteousness challenge our sinfulness? In 1 John 2:1-2, why is the Righteous One our Advocate before the Father? How does Jesus deal with the great gap caused by our unrighteousness? Jesus was upright, innocent, holy, unblemished. There was no sin in Him. Jesus is the Messiah, the Righteous One, spoken of in Jeremiah 23 :5&6, as the Righteous Branch to be raised up for David. I want to be and live like Jesus. I want Jesus to be seen in my life. I want to live righteously, as He did. An unblemished Sacrifice was required to pay for my sins. Jesus was this Sacrifice. Now when I come before the Judge and am reflected as guilty, oh so very guilty, Jesus as my Advocate, stands in my stead and claims that the price for that sin of the guilty one, viz me., has been paid. He has given Himself for me. The slate, as it were, of my life, has been washed clean. Jesus has covered that gap, by taking our unrighteousness upon Him, when He paid that ultimate price.

Q3. (Acts 7:51) Stephen accuses the Jewish leaders of stubbornness, hard-heartedness, and resistance to God. Have you ever noticed these tendencies in your own heart? What must you do if you see such things in yourself? Unfortunately I do have to confess that these tendencies do appear from time to time in my heart. When I become aware of them, I need to , as the prodigal son did, acknowledge that it is so and repent of this behaviour and then humbly ask God's forgiveness and help to lead me back into His path for me.

Q2. (Acts 6:3, 8) What list of qualities do you see in Stephen when you combine the apostles' list of qualifications (verse 3) with the description of Stephen's character (verse 8)? Why is a ministry that combines the word with miracles so powerful? The apostles' list was : reputable men, full of the Spirit full of wisdom Verse 8 and 10 describe Stephen's character as being: full of grace full of power full of wisdom of the Spirit Then above this all, miracles followed what he was saying. The combination of speech and then actually seeing that what is spoken about is reality is so much more powerful than empty words. Living what one preaches makes things much more real. The saying to practice what you preach makes sense. It doesn't help you do not live what you preach. Not everyone reads words, but everyone reads what you live. I read the following the other day. The Gospel (good news) is written, a chapter a day By the deeds that you do, and the words that you say Men read what you say whether faithless or true Say, what is the Gospel (good news) according to you?

Q1. (Acts 6:1-2) What is the root problem in the Jerusalem church that shows up in food distribution? How could such a root problem slow growth and erode spiritual life? How do the apostles deal with it? Is there a root problem in your congregation that leaders need to deal with that threatens the health of the church? Why do leaders sometimes avoid dealing with church problems? The community of believers were of diverse languages. The people were from many different places, who had ended up in Jerusalem and had then heard the Word and accepted it and were now part of the group following Christ's teaching, who eventually were known as Christians. Many of the widows amongst this group were poor and were eventually supported by the contributions made by the community. The leaders first did the distribution and it then appeared that there was favouritism shown to the Hebrew widows and the Hellenists were left out. (could this almost reflect a kind of racism or misunderstanding) . . . . remember it was different languages and cultures involved. Such a root problem could easily be taken to be deliberate leaving out of a group, whereas it is very easy to just be an oversight. Jealousy could step in and cause division. I think it was very wise what they did. (Many years ago Moses also was advised to delegate some of his work to others) Additional leaders were chosen for this specific task, setting the Apostles free to continue with their task. Seven reputable men, full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom were chosen by the followers. They then sorted out that distribution of food etc was fairly carried out. It is very easy to get entangled and be regarded to show favouritism to a certain group, be it true or not. This is why it is wise for the leaders to pray together with those chosen or delegated to help in the different platforms, that a right decision be made, and not be the ones who do the actual making of the decisions. It also of course depends on what the problem is.

Q4. (Matthew 18:23-35) In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, where do you see justice? Where do you see grace? Where do you see greed? Where do you see unforgiveness? What lessons from this parable are disciples to incorporate into their lives? When accounts are sought to be settled, it is noted that the one man owed ten 1000 talents and the king ordered that he and his family and all his possessions be sold, so that payment could be made. That was justice. When the slave (who owed the ten 1000 talents) was released after judgement had been forecast, viz., that he and his family and all his possessions be sold, for some kind of payment to be made, and forgiven the debt, that was grace. When that same slave , who was forgiven so much, demanded payment from a fellow-slave, who owed him 100 denarii, (,1% of what he originally owed the king), and even tried to strangle or choke him, for owing him that amount, demanding it there and then. There we see greed. After that scenario, where the one who was forgiven much, tried to get the debt dissolved from his fellow-slave, he went so far as to throw him into prison, even when he begged for time and promised to pay it all back, that was unforgiveness. The lessons I see are: Be careful to accumulate debt. Do not borrow or loan money. Both can have disastrous results. Forgive as Christ forgives. There are consequences when not forgiving others. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Q3. (Luke 7:41-43, 47) According to Jesus' Parable of the Two Debtors, do you think the woman was saved prior to the dinner or during the dinner? How effusive is your love for Jesus? How should we as disciples express our gratitude for salvation? Reading the story and putting in lines that are not written, it seems like this woman had either heard Jesus (whether by word of mouth personally, or from someone else, does not really matter) and this had spurred her on to display her thankfulness publicly, in the way she could. She had faith in Him. She knew in her heart of hearts that He was the One Who could and would make a difference in her life. Verse 50, shows that Jesus acknowledges this fact : " . . . Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. " From the above we can make a deduction that when she put her faith into action, she was saved. It does not really matter if it was prior or during the dinner, what matters is that she was SAVED. I do love Him with all that I am. I have been forgiven much. He has proved to be the Saviour I can lean on, in extremely difficult circumstances. He has been there, just as He promised in His Word. I do get extremely excited over the smallest thing that happens in answer to prayer, or in answer to a request or desire, also when I see a change in someone who we have been praying for. Tears of thankfulness run freely. Thank You Thank You Jesus for Your great love. We should live for Him, and share with others, what He has done for us. Also what He is willing to do for them also. Forgiveness, Joy, Peace and ultimately Eternal Life.

Q2. (Luke 15:11-32 What does this parable have in common with the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? What does the parable tell us about our Father's way of operating and his values? In what ways does the older son hold his father's values? In what ways does he lack them? What should disciples learn from this parable to equip them for ministry? The common thread through the three parables is that something or someone is lost, it is found , and then there is a celebration. (be glad and rejoice) The sheep and the coin are looked for and the prodigal son chooses to come back , as it had been his choice to leave in the first place. The Father waits for the lost one to recognize his state, then he welcomes him back when he returns. Our Father does not just accept the fact that someone sins and wanders away. He searches for him until he is found , alternately waits for him to come to his senses , to return and then he eagerly welcomes him back into the fold, restores him and celebrates, not alone, but with all around him. The older son works with what he has on the estate . He does not squander the things he has but builds up the estate. On the surface it looks like he is the dutiful, obedient son, but at the end one can see that there was an under currency of something that should not have been there, almost like an ulterior motive. There was a reason for his working as he did (for show maybe, to be seen as the righteous son, as the duty bound son). It was out of a sense of duty, not at all, because of love towards the Father. His living is right in a way, but lacks mercy and grace towards others. The Father in turn was full of compassion, mercy and grace for the one who had erred and had now returned. The Father is gracious and the son is stingy and jealous. Self-righteous in a way also. Through this we learn that we cannot make the decisions for the one we share the Gospel with. Each and every person has to make the decision for him/herself. They cannot be bullied into a decision or coerced to make a positive decision. *The Father did not hold onto the rebellious son. He let him go. He gave him his freedom to choose. *To come back, the son had to repent. * He waited for the son to be convicted of his wrong action. *We are morally bankrupt. We can only rely on the Father's love. *Only because of the Father's abundant mercy we are given back the privileges of son-ship. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to do the work through us , not to be pushy, but to pray, wait and then when the step is made , to be part of the welcoming back and celebrating.

Q1. (Luke 15:1-10) What do the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin teach disciples about God's heart? In what way do these parables represent a contrast to the murmuring of the Pharisees? How should a disciple implement Jesus' value of seeking the lost in his or her own community? He has a heart for the lost. God is full of grace, extending favour and mercy to the undeserving. The Pharisees shunned the outcasts of society, who were part of the lost, and murmured about the fact that Jesus did not. In fact He mixed with them, and ate with them and they were part of the motley crowd that followed and listened to Him. We should not shun them , but reach out to them and show them love and care. The Pharisees, oddly enough, were part of the lost. They just did not recognize it as yet. They too would have been welcomed, had they repented of their pride. It is not deed that will get us into heaven. It is grace and grace alone.

Q5. (Acts 5:17-42) Why do you think Luke includes this long section about the apostles' imprisonment, trial before the Sanhedrin, and flogging? In your culture, what does it take to keep Christians from sharing their faith openly? Do you share your faith openly? We see earlier they were given boldness and declared the msg to all and sundry in Jerusalem. Many came to believe and were added to their number. Now they are still bold and they still declare the msg to all who will hear and suddenly they are imprisoned. It is encouraging to hear a miracle taking place of such a nature, that they are set free. God has not stopped performing miracles. God is still with them in these adverse circumstances. It is an encouragement to future witnesses of Christ, that this is what can happen, and that God is still in control. Then even with the trial , still they are bold, accept the flogging and praise God that they are considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. All this is encouragement for future generations to share our Faith openly.