In Acts 5, we see some of the early persecution that the apostles had to deal with, especially at the hands of the Jews.  The Jewish leaders were irritated by the preaching of the apostles.

Acts 4:1–2 (ESV)
¹ And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ²greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

This led to the Jews arresting the apostles and eventually bringing them before the Sanhedrin, who in turn warned them to stop preaching about Jesus (4:17-18).  Of course, the apostles responded by saying, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you instead of God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (4:19-20).  The Sanhedrin, after threatening them some more, let them go (4:21-22).

The apostles kept their word and continue to proclaim Christ and His resurrection, and many souls were added to Christ because of their efforts.

Acts 5:12–14 (ESV)
¹² Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. ¹³ None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. ¹⁴ And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

This would lead to a second arrest of the apostles.  Fortunately, a man name Gamaliel, a Pharisee, and one of the most respected teachers of the law, talked the Sanhedrin into letting them go, but not before they beat them and warned them once again not to speak in the name of Jesus (5:34-40).

The response of the apostles was once again impressive.

 Acts 5:41–42 (ESV)
⁴¹ Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. ⁴² And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. 

They were not discouraged because they were beaten, but rather they rejoiced to have the honor of suffering for Christ.  But notice also, the persecution they experienced did not slow down their teaching and preaching at all.  Why?  They knew their real vocation.  They knew that Jesus called them to be fishers of men.  They knew that Jesus was the only one who could save man (Acts 4:12), so their main purpose in life became telling as many people as they could that Jesus lives.

What is your main vocation in life?  I am not talking about your secular occupation.  I am talking about your spiritual vocation.  We have all been called to the same purpose—seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and teach the gospel to as many as we can (Matthew 28:19).

The apostles did not cease from this endeavor.  When a problem arose in the early church regarding the neglect of providing daily provisions for the Hellenists widows, the apostles selected seven men of good repute, who were full of the Spirit, to oversee the daily distribution (Acts 6:1-3).  Why did the apostles not do it themselves?  They said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables” (6:2). 

The apostles never cease to preach the word of God and neither should we.  No, our responsibility is not the same as the apostles.  They were called to devote their lives to preaching the word and overseeing the churches with their God-given apostolic authority (Matthew 18:18).  Still, teaching and preaching the word of God to the lost should be something we all have a passion to do, not just here and there, but without ceasing.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.