Fan the Flame - A Journey Through ActsSample

Day 11 - Persecution of the Apostles

Have you ever loved something so much that everything else seems dull in its presence? As a little girl, one of my favourite things was horses, so when I saw a horse or had the opportunity to pat a horse, nothing else seemed to matter. This unfortunately meant that I was shocked by many electric fences as a child, but I never learnt! Because my obsession with patting the horse was greater than my naturally cautious and observant nature. In this passage, we see the apostles' love for God make everything else seem dull.

The apostles were on fire. They were boldly preaching the gospel, performing miracles, and leading many to faith in Jesus. But their boldness didn’t go unnoticed. The high priest and his associates, filled with jealousy, arrested the apostles and threw them in prison. Yet, during the night, an angel of the Lord freed them and instructed them to “go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people all about this new life” (Acts 5:20).

Rather than retreat in fear, the apostles returned to the very place of danger and continued to preach. When they were brought before the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders reminded them that they had been warned not to teach in Jesus' name. But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29). Their fear of God was greater than their fear of man. Their boldness and unwavering commitment to the gospel, which stemmed only from their love of God, showed how the fire of the Holy Spirit within them could not be extinguished by the threats of men.

This passage draws a stark contrast between the fear of man and the fear of God. The religious leaders, motivated by jealousy and a desire to maintain control, were acting out of a fear of losing their power and influence. They were more concerned with how they appeared in the eyes of others than with the truth of God’s message.

On the other hand, the apostles displayed a profound fear of God. They understood that obedience to God was far more important than the approval or threats of human beings. The fear of God doesn’t mean being terrified of Him, but it reflects deep reverence, awe, and an unwavering commitment to obey Him above all else.

The gospel calls us to this same kind of boldness—to live in such a way that our greatest concern is pleasing God, not man. The apostles knew that while human authorities had power over their bodies, it amounted to nothing in comparison with the greatness and faithfulness of their God. They truly grasped how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is. Their fear of God fuelled their boldness and empowered them to continue preaching the gospel despite persecution.

In today’s world, we often face the tension between wanting to please others and staying true to our faith. The fear of man can show up in subtle ways—whether it’s the pressure to fit in, fear of being judged, or the anxiety of losing approval from friends, colleagues, or even family. These fears can tempt us to compromise, hide our faith, or remain silent when we should speak up.

But the apostles remind us that our primary loyalty is to God. We are called to fear God above all else, which means living with integrity and boldness, regardless of the consequences. This doesn’t mean being reckless or rude, but it does mean choosing obedience to God over the approval of others.

The same Holy Spirit that empowered the apostles to stand firm in the face of threats is available to us today. When we “fan into flame” the gift of God’s Spirit (2 Timothy 1:6-7), our fear of man fades, and our courage to obey God grows. As we nurture our relationship with God, our reverence for Him will surpass any fear of what others may think or do.

Let’s pray and thank God for the example of the apostles who feared God more than they feared man. Would God help us to do the same and forgive us when we allow fear of people’s opinions to shape our actions. Let’s pray for courage to obey God fully, trusting that His approval is more valuable than anything the world offers.

Written by Ashley Hicks