Part 3: Shaken By Being With Jesus

After hearing the Gospel message and seeing it confirmed by the miraculous healing of the lame man, thousands in Acts 3-4 sought the Lord and became Christians. As is often the case, however, opposing forces attempted to silence the apostles.

“¹As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, ²being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day” (Acts 4:1-3).

Notice only the Sadducees are mentioned. Why were they so upset, even more so than the Pharisees? While the Pharisees believed in general resurrection, the Sadducees did not; their worldview would not entertain the “infallible proofs” of Christ’s resurrection.

The next day at their trial, Peter responded to the accusations, saying, “Rulers and elders of the people, ⁹if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, ¹⁰let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead— by Him this man stands here before you in good health… ¹²And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:8-12).

AMEN! But how offensive to all the rest of the world. Why? Because the Bible is saying that if you do not believe in Jesus and His Word, you will not go to Heaven. Tough words, but true words. Therefore, if we truly love people, what will we do – TELL THEM THE TRUTH!

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

This really shook them up. The conduct, words, attitudes, etc. of the apostles were such that there was no mistaking they had been with Jesus! This is one of the most profound statements of Scripture, and here’s why. I have heard it said to preachers, speakers, and teachers comments like, “Wow, you really know the Bible. I could never have the knowledge you have”, and so on and so on. Such comments may be meant as complimentary, but they should not be the greatest feeling of one’s life. Reason being, such comments are too often the excuse of the one giving the complement for not studying the Bible for him or herself. It is also far too often the excuse for not sharing Jesus with others. To stay in their comfort zone, many use the excuse of “not knowing the Bible well enough” for not sharing their faith. Yet, Jesus never demanded a Bible college degree for evangelism! NONE of the 12 had a 4-year theology or preaching degree: “they were uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4:13). They had simply “been with Jesus”!!!

Have you? Do you know Jesus? That’s all you have to share with someone! If you cannot, then you need to ask yourself if you know Jesus? How did you become a Christian? Tell people that! If you can’t, then you need to ask yourself if you are one.

And for anyone who has ever received complements regarding their Scriptural knowledge, that’s wonderful and nothing of which to be ashamed. More importantly, though, can anyone tell that you’ve been with Jesus. This is not to belittle Scriptural knowledge. Far from it! Biblical literacy, knowledge of God’s Word is vital – it is how we walk the path of God (Psalm 119:109, 105); it is how we come to know Jesus (John 1:1-13, Hebrews 1:1-2)!

Hence, the answer to the question, “Do you know Jesus or the Bible?”, should be a resounding, “Yes!” If you know God’s Word, then you should know Jesus, which should have “shaken” you. Hopefully and prayerfully, the world will be able to see you and me and know that we have “been with Jesus.” And that may just be what opens the doors of their hearts to be shaken by the Spirit and Truth.

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November 2025 Printed Newsletter

November 21, 2025

The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe, 1914

The Reformation and America’s Founding

By Ryan Cox • November 21, 2025

As many saw corruption not only in the abuse of parishioners, but also in church authority and doctrine, many started to speak out for reform. Martin Luther published his 95 Theses in 1517, and thanks to Johannes Guttenberg’s printing press, was able to print many short treatises on Biblical matters. His publications are thought to amount to ⅕ of all works printed in Germany in the first third of the 1500s. Economic historian Dr. Jared Rubin published in 2014 that “the mere presence of a printing press prior to 1500 increased the probability that a city would become Protestant in 1530 by 52.1 percentage points.” 1 Over in England, King Henry VIII desired to annul his marriage to his first of 6 wives, Catherine of Aragon. Pope Clement VII wouldn’t grant it, so King Henry established the Church of England, with him as the Supreme Head. After his and his son Edward’s deaths, his daughter from Catherine named Mary was able to take over. She reinstated the Catholic faith, although she was quite vengeful, burning at the stake more than 280 dissenters in her 5-year reign, giving her the label “Bloody Mary.” During this time, many Reformers fled to Geneva where they published in 1560 the Geneva Bible. After Mary’s death, her half-sister Elizabeth became queen and restored the Church of England. After her nearly 45-year reign, her cousin James I became king upon her death. He would commence the 1604 revision of the Book of Common Prayer and the Authorized Version of the Bible, published in 1611, known today as the King James Bible. Understandably, with all this political activity, things may not have always been on the up and up in the Church of England. Consequently, there were many reform efforts that sprung up, such as the Anabaptists, Baptists, Barrowists, Behmenists, Brownists, Diggers, Enthusiasts, Familists, Fifth Monarchists, Grindletonians, Levellers, Muggletonians, Puritans, Philadelphians, Quakers, Ranters, Sabbatarians, Seekers, and Socinians, to name a few. Robert Browne was an Anglican priest who was influenced by some Puritan theologians. He eventually rejected the idea of purifying the Church of England, and helped start a separatist church in 1581. In 1592, the Seditious Sectaries Act was passed specifically outlawing Brownists and other separatists, including imprisonment. Still, more continued to be influenced. So, in 1604, Archbishop Bancroft launched his campaign of suspending or firing some 380 Puritan and Separatist ministers, many of whom started new separatist churches, such as ministers Richard Clyfton and John Robinson in 1606. The postmaster and manager of the archbishop’s Manor House in Scrooby, William Brewster, had been impressed by Clyfton’s preaching and invited the separatists to meet in the house. Brewster eventually resigned his position, being fined for his absences at the king’s church. As the congregation grew, one enthusiastic 16-year old William Bradford began attending. An orphan since age 7, he had heard Clyfton preach at age 12. Now he was a member of this house church that grew to some 50 members, making it difficult to avoid the authorities. Bradford wrote, “But after these things they could not long continue in any peaceable condition, but were hunted & persecuted on every side… For some were taken & clapt up in prison, others had their houses beset & watched night and day, & hardly escaped their hands; and the most were fain to fly & leave their houses & habitations, and the means of their livelihood.” 2

Thanksgiving Blessings!

By Matt Miles • November 21, 2025

This year we have focused on History & Destiny. As we ready ourselves for Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the history of the season and of the future to come. It is always great to celebrate this time of year and reflect back. There is so much to be thankful for, but the providence and provision of the Lord is foremost. His enduring guidance never gets old as He takes us to churches and people that need the message He has given us. This year has taken us to many places we have been to before, letting us reconnect with old friends. At the same time the Lord has opened new doors where people have been excited to hear and see Genesis in a new light with new emphasis. What a blessing to make new friends and meet co-laborers for the Gospel! God has given us connections with young and old alike, enabling the Kingdom work to continue and flourish for His praise. We are so thankful. Another year has passed and the Lord continues to provide all we need to continue this mission, including His provision of a new truck when we needed one. Yes, we still need help to pay it off, but just to be in a position to handle all that comes with purchasing a new truck is something for which we give great thanks to the Lord. To have what we need month in and month out, even when our program schedule was thin, has been a blessing worthy of great thanks. Two mornings in November we had the opportunity to teach a group of adults that many in the world forget about - those with special needs. It was a blast to talk with them about dinosaurs and, with several attendees, Biblical history. The Lord allowed us to help a blind young woman to “see” dinosaurs for her first time. All we needed to do was take her hand and let her trace the fossils with her touch. It was a truly exceptional moment to teach someone for her first time that dinosaurs are part of the Lord’s creation. We are so thankful to have been a tool in His providence and provision for those who were able to come. Our continuing mission is supported by each and every one of you who pray for us. The power of prayer is very real and we see its manifestation so often in this ministry. The financial support from family, friends and the body of Christ, His Church, carry us each and every year. We once again enter this season with extraordinary thankfulness for our Lord and for you. Thanksgiving Blessings!