Nicodemus No Longer Cautious and Questioning
Now Nicodemus came forward to defend the infant church. He encouraged the faith of the disciples and used his wealth to help sustain the church at Jerusalem and advance the work. Those who had treated him with reverence now scorned him, and he became poor, yet he never wavered in defending his faith.
ULe 39.4
The persecution gave a great push to the work of the gospel. The ministry in Jerusalem had been successful, and there was danger that the disciples would linger there too long, forgetting the Savior’s instruction to go to all the world. Instead of educating new converts to carry the gospel to those who had not heard it, they were in danger of taking a course that would lead the believers to be satisfied with what they had already accomplished. God permitted persecution to come to scatter His representatives where they could work for others. Driven from Jerusalem, the believers “went everywhere preaching the word.”
ULe 40.1
When persecution scattered them, they went out filled with missionary zeal. They knew they held in their hands the bread of life for a starving world, and the love of Christ impelled them to break this bread to all who were in need. Wherever they went, they healed the sick and preached the gospel to the poor.
ULe 40.2
Philip, one of the seven deacons, was among those driven from Jerusalem. He “went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. ... There was great joy in that city.”
ULe 40.3
Christ’s message to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well had borne fruit. The woman had gone to the men of the city, saying, “Could this be the Christ?” They went with her, heard Jesus, and believed on Him. For two days Jesus stayed with them, “and many more believed because of His own word.” (John 4:29, 41.)
ULe 40.4
When His disciples were driven from Jerusalem, the Samaritans welcomed them, and the Jewish converts gathered a precious harvest from among those who had once been their bitterest enemies.
ULe 40.5
While Philip was in Samaria, a heavenly messenger directed him to “‘go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ ... So he arose and went.” He did not hesitate to obey, because he had learned the lesson of conforming to God’s will.
ULe 40.6
1980
ULe
Unlikely Leaders
[{"para_id":"1980.18","title":"Foreword","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0003_eng_m_foreword_1980_18.mp3#duration=169&size=1506089"},{"para_id":"1980.30","title":"God\u2019s Purpose for His Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0004_eng_m_god_s_purpose_for_his_church_1980_30.mp3#duration=322&size=2727242"},{"para_id":"1980.51","title":"The Training of the Twelve","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0005_eng_m_the_training_of_the_twelve_1980_51.mp3#duration=416&size=3481521"},{"para_id":"1980.75","title":"The Good News to Go Everywhere","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0008_eng_m_the_good_news_to_go_everywhere_1980_75.mp3#duration=534&size=4425929"},{"para_id":"1980.104","title":"Pentecost: The Apostles Begin Their Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0011_eng_m_pentecost_the_apostles_begin_their_work_1980_104.mp3#duration=696&size=5717397"},{"para_id":"1980.147","title":"The Gift of the Spirit Is for Us","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0016_eng_m_the_gift_of_the_spirit_is_for_us_1980_147.mp3#duration=579&size=4784651"},{"para_id":"1980.179","title":"Peter and John Forbidden to Do Christ\u2019s Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0019_eng_m_peter_and_john_forbidden_to_do_christ_s_work_1980_179.mp3#duration=729&size=5986473"},{"para_id":"1980.219","title":"A Dishonest Husband and Wife Punished","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0023_eng_m_a_dishonest_husband_and_wife_punished_1980_219.mp3#duration=389&size=3266244"},{"para_id":"1980.241","title":"Peter and John Freed From Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0025_eng_m_peter_and_john_freed_from_prison_1980_241.mp3#duration=561&size=4641808"},{"para_id":"1980.274","title":"Why the Seven Deacons Were Chosen","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0029_eng_m_why_the_seven_deacons_were_chosen_1980_274.mp3#duration=548&size=4537574"},{"para_id":"1980.306","title":"Stephen, the First Martyr for Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0033_eng_m_stephen_the_first_martyr_for_christ_1980_306.mp3#duration=341&size=2878217"},{"para_id":"1980.327","title":"The Gospel Reaches Samaria and Ethiopia","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0036_eng_m_the_gospel_reaches_samaria_and_ethiopia_1980_327.mp3#duration=565&size=4675137"},{"para_id":"1980.363","title":"From Saul to Paul: Persecutor to Disciple","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0040_eng_m_from_saul_to_paul_persecutor_to_disciple_1980_363.mp3#duration=740&size=6070013"},{"para_id":"1980.402","title":"How God Educated Paul","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0044_eng_m_how_god_educated_paul_1980_402.mp3#duration=487&size=4047796"},{"para_id":"1980.428","title":"The Gospel Goes to the Gentiles","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0047_eng_m_the_gospel_goes_to_the_gentiles_1980_428.mp3#duration=696&size=5723175"},{"para_id":"1980.473","title":"An Angel Delivers Peter From Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0051_eng_m_an_angel_delivers_peter_from_prison_1980_473.mp3#duration=727&size=5969196"},{"para_id":"1980.521","title":"Dramatic Success at Antioch","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0056_eng_m_dramatic_success_at_antioch_1980_521.mp3#duration=651&size=5357073"},{"para_id":"1980.558","title":"Heralds of the Gospel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0060_eng_m_heralds_of_the_gospel_1980_558.mp3#duration=585&size=4829908"},{"para_id":"1980.596","title":"The Apostles Are Both Persecuted and Adored","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0064_eng_m_the_apostles_are_both_persecuted_and_adored_1980_596.mp3#duration=629&size=5181786"},{"para_id":"1980.637","title":"Thorny Problems Settled by the Holy Spirit","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0068_eng_m_thorny_problems_settled_by_the_holy_spirit_1980_637.mp3#duration=770&size=6313105"},{"para_id":"1980.677","title":"Paul\u2019s Secret: Exalt the Cross","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0072_eng_m_paul_s_secret_exalt_the_cross_1980_677.mp3#duration=539&size=4461990"},{"para_id":"1980.706","title":"Angels Open a Philippian Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0075_eng_m_angels_open_a_philippian_prison_1980_706.mp3#duration=605&size=4987906"},{"para_id":"1980.745","title":"A Revival and a Riot at Thessalonica","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0080_eng_m_a_revival_and_a_riot_at_thessalonica_1980_745.mp3#duration=602&size=4969654"},{"para_id":"1980.790","title":"Paul Preaches in Berea and Athens","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0082_eng_m_paul_preaches_in_berea_and_athens_1980_790.mp3#duration=728&size=5977879"},{"para_id":"1980.832","title":"Preaching the Power of the Cross in Corinth","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0088_eng_m_preaching_the_power_of_the_cross_in_corinth_1980_832.mp3#duration=694&size=5701101"},{"para_id":"1980.874","title":"Two Important Letters to the Thessalonians","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0093_eng_m_two_important_letters_to_the_thessalonians_1980_874.mp3#duration=715&size=5870791"},{"para_id":"1980.918","title":"Church Politics at Corinth","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0097_eng_m_church_politics_at_corinth_1980_918.mp3#duration=721&size=5917603"},{"para_id":"1980.955","title":"Witchcraft Books Burned","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0101_eng_m_witchcraft_books_burned_1980_955.mp3#duration=629&size=5179502"},{"para_id":"1980.989","title":"The Silversmiths Riot at Ephesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0105_eng_m_the_silversmiths_riot_at_ephesus_1980_989.mp3#duration=452&size=3771256"},{"para_id":"1980.1016","title":"Paul Challenges Lawsuits and Sexual Looseness","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0108_eng_m_paul_challenges_lawsuits_and_sexual_looseness_1980_1016.mp3#duration=572&size=4726644"},{"para_id":"1980.1046","title":"Paul Strengthens the Church for All Time","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0112_eng_m_paul_strengthens_the_church_for_all_time_1980_1046.mp3#duration=797&size=6531372"},{"para_id":"1980.1091","title":"Corinth Accepts Paul\u2019s Counsel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0116_eng_m_corinth_accepts_paul_s_counsel_1980_1091.mp3#duration=719&size=5904799"},{"para_id":"1980.1130","title":"The Joy of Liberal Giving","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0120_eng_m_the_joy_of_liberal_giving_1980_1130.mp3#duration=652&size=5371632"},{"para_id":"1980.1168","title":"Working Under Great Difficulties","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0124_eng_m_working_under_great_difficulties_1980_1168.mp3#duration=700&size=5753393"},{"para_id":"1980.1204","title":"The Joy of Working With Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0128_eng_m_the_joy_of_working_with_christ_1980_1204.mp3#duration=692&size=5691065"},{"para_id":"1980.1240","title":"God\u2019s Special Plan for the Jews","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0132_eng_m_god_s_special_plan_for_the_jews_1980_1240.mp3#duration=541&size=4477479"},{"para_id":"1980.1271","title":"Paul\u2019s Timeless Letter to the Galatians","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0136_eng_m_paul_s_timeless_letter_to_the_galatians_1980_1271.mp3#duration=308&size=2615020"},{"para_id":"1980.1289","title":"Paul\u2019s Farewell Journey to Jerusalem","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0139_eng_m_paul_s_farewell_journey_to_jerusalem_1980_1289.mp3#duration=580&size=4789012"},{"para_id":"1980.1327","title":"Paul Receives Bad Advice","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0143_eng_m_paul_receives_bad_advice_1980_1327.mp3#duration=1194&size=9706098"},{"para_id":"1980.1395","title":"Paul\u2019s Trial at Caesarea","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0152_eng_m_paul_s_trial_at_caesarea_1980_1395.mp3#duration=511&size=4235576"},{"para_id":"1980.1426","title":"Paul Appeals to Caesar","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0155_eng_m_paul_appeals_to_caesar_1980_1426.mp3#duration=275&size=2350329"},{"para_id":"1980.1442","title":"The King Who Refused the Cross","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0157_eng_m_the_king_who_refused_the_cross_1980_1442.mp3#duration=378&size=3174644"},{"para_id":"1980.1469","title":"Paul Experiences Shipwreck in a Storm","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0160_eng_m_paul_experiences_shipwreck_in_a_storm_1980_1469.mp3#duration=550&size=4551613"},{"para_id":"1980.1503","title":"Paul in Rome: Big-City Evangelist in Chains","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0164_eng_m_paul_in_rome_big_city_evangelist_in_chains_1980_1503.mp3#duration=835&size=6834757"},{"para_id":"1980.1552","title":"Paul Wins Converts in the Emperor\u2019s Palace","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0169_eng_m_paul_wins_converts_in_the_emperor_s_palace_1980_1552.mp3#duration=417&size=3488291"},{"para_id":"1980.1575","title":"The Letters Paul Wrote From Rome","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0172_eng_m_the_letters_paul_wrote_from_rome_1980_1575.mp3#duration=857&size=7008357"},{"para_id":"1980.1622","title":"Paul Is Free Once More","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0177_eng_m_paul_is_free_once_more_1980_1622.mp3#duration=201&size=1755053"},{"para_id":"1980.1635","title":"Paul\u2019s Final Arrest and Imprisonment","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0179_eng_m_paul_s_final_arrest_and_imprisonment_1980_1635.mp3#duration=148&size=1332519"},{"para_id":"1980.1643","title":"Paul Again Before Nero","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0180_eng_m_paul_again_before_nero_1980_1643.mp3#duration=352&size=2969795"},{"para_id":"1980.1661","title":"Paul Pours Out His Heart in His Last Letter","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0182_eng_m_paul_pours_out_his_heart_in_his_last_letter_1980_1661.mp3#duration=659&size=5425358"},{"para_id":"1980.1697","title":"Paul Dies for the One Who Died for Him","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0187_eng_m_paul_dies_for_the_one_who_died_for_him_1980_1697.mp3#duration=300&size=2547937"},{"para_id":"1980.1710","title":"The Apostle Peter, a Faithful Undershepherd","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0189_eng_m_the_apostle_peter_a_faithful_undershepherd_1980_1710.mp3#duration=828&size=6775774"},{"para_id":"1980.1757","title":"Peter Crucified at Rome","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0194_eng_m_peter_crucified_at_rome_1980_1757.mp3#duration=550&size=4549356"},{"para_id":"1980.1786","title":"John, the Beloved Disciple","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0198_eng_m_john_the_beloved_disciple_1980_1786.mp3#duration=407&size=3403269"},{"para_id":"1980.1810","title":"John, Faithful Witness for Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0201_eng_m_john_faithful_witness_for_christ_1980_1810.mp3#duration=680&size=5589295"},{"para_id":"1980.1846","title":"John\u2019s Secret of True Sanctification","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0205_eng_m_john_s_secret_of_true_sanctification_1980_1846.mp3#duration=666&size=5479067"},{"para_id":"1980.1880","title":"John Is Exiled to Lonely Patmos","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0208_eng_m_john_is_exiled_to_lonely_patmos_1980_1880.mp3#duration=557&size=4604902"},{"para_id":"1980.1908","title":"John Sees the Visions of the Revelation","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0212_eng_m_john_sees_the_visions_of_the_revelation_1980_1908.mp3#duration=842&size=6888782"},{"para_id":"1980.1951","title":"A Glorious Future Is Before Us","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0217_eng_m_a_glorious_future_is_before_us_1980_1951.mp3#duration=551&size=4560490"}]