Part 4: Shaken to Obey

Ryan Cox • May 15, 2023

Part 4: Shaken to Obey

 “And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply” (Acts 4:14).


When people see the evidence of being with Jesus, there is nothing, no accusation they can truly bring against us. But that doesn’t mean they won’t scheme against us. The Sanhedrin “confer with one another” (v. 15) on how to deal with the spreading news, which threatened their status, concluding, “so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name” (v. 17). Thus they summoned the apostles and ordered them “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (v. 18).


What are we to do when the government orders us not to speak in Jesus’ name? What are we to do when authorities tell us to shut our doors, do not hold services, or close your church for the safety of others? Yes, Christians are to be obedient to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1). However, obedience to God is paramount (Exodus 19:5, I Samuel 15:22, Jeremiah 7:23, Romans 6:17, II Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 2:12, etc.). How then are we to respond when governing authorities order us not to speak of or assemble for or obey God? The same way the disciples of Jesus did, whose example is recorded in Scripture for us to see and learn.


“18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:18-20).


How could they give this answer? Because they had been shaken by the presence of their Savior. He had washed their feet, eaten the Passover with them, and told them, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). And then they watched Him be arrested, tortured, and killed for the sins of the world. But just when they thought everything was lost, they beheld Him standing in their presence, risen from the dead! They were so shaken they were willing to do whatever it took to fulfill His command of sharing the Good News with all the world (Matthew 28:18-20).


Are we so shaken? When it comes to submitting to the voice of men or the voice of God, which will we choose? It should not matter what the Supreme Court says about marriage, what a policy maker says about life, what a counselor says about gender, or what a governor says about the assembly of the Lord’s Church, we should choose to obey and proclaim the One who created all things and has the authority to judge the living and the dead (II Timothy 4:1). Is that always easy? Certainly not.


“21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened” (Acts 4:21).


It seems that if we are serving the community as the people of God should be, the public might side with us and even sway the government. Sadly, what used to be ministries of the Church have now been turned over to the social services of the government, resulting in less and less cultural influence. It still proves true, though, that the more involved churches are in serving the community, the more impact for the Lord they might have.


However, we must be ready to still serve, love, and share the Gospel even if the culture and government are against us. The apostles were willing to do that because of how much Jesus had changed their lives. Today, people are persecuted for their faith all around the world. Even in America, society seems to be more and more hostile to Christianity. We must start resolving in our minds now that we will be ready to stand firm when “threatened”.


In recent years, many have bowed to the governing authorities in so many ways because they do not want their lifestyle affected or they do not want to be the target of social or government reactions. Some are genuinely afraid of what the culture or the government might do to them.


It is easy to say what we should do, but it is a whole different matter to be in the situation and know what we would do. Yet, if we want to see revival in the land, if we want our children to be faithful and saved, if we truly love Jesus and are shaken by what He has done for us, then we will embrace His words: “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).


Therefore, “14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you… 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgement to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?... 19 Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right” (I Peter 4:14-19).

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
Fall leaves pic

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!
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