HOW THE APOSTLES KNEW THEY WERE IN THE WILL OF GOD

Pastor Art Watkins of Coden Bible Church (Coden, Alabama)

December 18, 2018

1000’s of books have been written about how to know if you are in the will of God or not. The apostles were in the will of God and they knew it. Why? Read this: And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. Acts 5:40-41

They knew they were in the will of God because they were beaten and persecuted. That may seem strange but it’s true. It’s true because of what Jesus told them in John 15. He said to them; If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. John 15:18-21

Jesus said the true followers and servants of Christ will be hated and persecuted like him. Therefore, when the apostles were hated and persecuted by the political and religious system of their day they rejoiced, because it was a sign to them that they were loyal and faithful servants and followers of Christ. They knew they were in the will of God because they were persecuted like their Lord and master.

Think about it.