28th Oct 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
Fleeing and witnessing
Acts 17 - Series 02/Episode 20 - Wed 28th Oct 2026 - Fleeing and witnessing - Acts 17:10-15 - MINISTRY IN BEREA - Matthew 10:21-23
Acts 17:13-14 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. (14) Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
The Lord told us to flee to another city when persecution arises for the sake of the Gospel. Matthew 10:21-23 "Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. (22) And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. (23) When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Why did the Lord tell us to flee when persecution arises for the sake of the Gospel? Does this mean we are cowards? The Lord also said that he who endures till the end will be saved. How can we put this together?
Jesus calls us neither to seek persecution nor to run away from faithfulness. He calls us to be wise in the face of danger, fearless in our witness, and faithful to Him to the very end.
Paul was rescued and sent away when persecution arose against him. Acts 9:23-25 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. (24) But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. (25) Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. / Acts 9:29-30 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. (30) When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. / Acts 17:10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
This is what took place with our Lord. John 7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. / John 11:53-54 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. (54) Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.
The Lord has told us...Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. When we see persecution arising, we must be wise but harmless. This is a combination we cannot work out on our own, but the Holy Spirit leads us. Matthew 10:19-20 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; (20) for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
The Bible calls us to exercise wisdom without being controlled by fear. Matthew 10:27-28 "Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. (28) And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. This life is the life of the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 2:12-13 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (13) These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
II Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. When we operate in this manner, the results are phenomenal. I Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."
We must take sensible steps to protect our lives without being ashamed of the Gospel. Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. Courage is not being reckless of danger or the refusal to escape it. Courage is always remaining faithful to God. It does not mean remaining in the same place, refusing to escape danger, or deliberately exposing ourselves to persecution. It means remaining steadfast in our allegiance to Christ and not abandoning Him when following Him becomes costly.
This is the distinction that the apostles demonstrated. They fled from physical danger when appropriate, but they refused to surrender their witness to Christ.
Community Feedback
Reviews for Fleeing and witnessing
☆☆☆☆☆
0 reviews
Leave a Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.