of Jehovah’s name and word. They strengthened the growing congregation of God in their day. Eventually, these apostles along with many other faithful, tried followers moved out into other regions, not just among the Jews, but among the Gentiles. These others of every tribe and tongue and people were given the opportunity of learning the truth and “the sayings about this life” that Jesus had told his followers about. The apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, told of his keen interest in “the sayings about this life” when he gave them his wonderful argument in proof of the resurrection of the dead.—1 Cor. 15:1-57.

43, 44. What encouragement is given to modern-day Christian witnesses of Jehovah, and what will they continue to pray?

⁴³ Christians will now imitate those apostles who did what God’s angel told them to do. Jehovah’s angels today are directing his people in his organization throughout the earth as these declare the message of “everlasting good news.” So take courage. Share in the preaching work. Do it with boldness, having confidence in God’s Word. “For he will give his own angels a command concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” (Ps. 91:11) In proof of this Paul asks the question: “Are they not all spirits for public service, sent forth to minister for those who are going to inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14) His question calls for the answer Yes.

⁴⁴ Are you, then, interested in salvation through Christ Jesus? Peter and John were and said: “There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” (Acts 4:12) If you have the faith a Christian must have in Christ Jesus, then in order to succeed in this fast-fading system of things you will continue to pray to be “filled with the holy spirit” and as a result you will be “speaking the word of God with boldness.”—Acts 4:31.

Love and Boldness Lead to Life

1. How does a disciple of Jesus observe the commandments of that one?

IF YOU believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that “there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved,” then you must certainly believe the words of Jesus and his apostles. Jesus said: “If you love me, you will observe my commandments.” (John 14:15) The logical conclusion, then, is as stated by Jesus: “He that has my commandments and observes them, that one is he who loves me. In turn he that loves me will be loved by my Father.” (John 14:21) So, when a disciple keeps Jesus’ commandments he shows love. But what do these commandments of Jesus involve? For one thing, Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) For Jesus’ followers to convince people to become disciples of Jesus it would take some talking, preaching, persuasion.

2. (a) Is our work only to preach and make disciples, and what searching questions on the matter of evangelism did Time magazine report one religious person as asking? (b) What additional queries might be made of one claiming to be a Christian?

² It was not only a matter of making disciples but there was Jesus’ instruction to teach the new disciples and show them how to observe all the things Jesus commanded. To travel, preach and teach, that is, put the truth in the other person’s mind, is a lot of work for any Christian. Have you tried it? Does the “church” you belong to urge you to do all that? Or is your religion more like the one described in Time magazine of October 25, 1963, in its religious section on page 86? It makes this statement: “President [of the Disciples of Christ Church] Dr. Robert W. Burns of Atlanta warned that the flames of a faith built on evangelism seemed to be dying into embers. ‘Our evangelism has lagged because many of us lack a deep concern for the salvation of our neighbor’s soul,’ he said. ‘How long since you were the means through which God added a soul to the church? How long since you even tried?’” These are good questions for everyone claiming to be a Christian to ponder. Every person belonging to any religious organization of Christendom should examine himself. Why? Well, if you claim to be a Christian, do you “go,” “disciple,” “baptize” and “teach”? What proof do you have that you are a Christian if you do not preach and teach pure Christianity? When did you last try to persuade anyone to take up Christian activity, like preaching the good news of God’s kingdom to others? Or, when did you even direct someone’s attention to God’s written Word the Bible so that he could take a firm stand for right principles? But you say: ‘The way I live my moral life proves I am a Christian. I do not have to talk it.’

3. (a) How all-inclusive are the words “observe all the things I have commanded you”? (b) Where did Jesus show wrong acts got their start?

³ Interestingly, “all the things I have commanded you” takes in the high moral standard of God too. Do you join in the spirit of this world, which revolts against the teachings of Christ on sex morality? Do you in your church close your eyes to adultery, fornication and sodomy by your members? Paul the Christian did not! He spoke out, saying: “You, the one preaching ‘Do not steal,’ do you steal? You, the one saying ‘Do not commit adultery,’ do you commit adultery?” After pointing out the “disgraceful sexual appetites” of both the males and females of his day, he said: “These know full well the righteous decree of God, that those practicing such things are deserving of death.” (Rom. 2:21, 22; 1:24-32) Practicing wrong morals surely will not get you life! Paul believed what Jesus said on morals and bad habits. Remember Jesus’ words, “From inside, out of the heart of men, injurious reasonings issue forth: fornications, thieveries, murders, adulteries, covetings, acts of wickedness, deceit, loose conduct, an envious eye, blasphemy, haughtiness, unreasonableness. All these wicked things issue forth from within and defile a man.”—Mark 7:21-23.

4, 5. (a) What was Jesus against, and so how should Christians question themselves? (b) Contrast Jesus’ words at John 12:48-50 with the comment reported in Time magazine of October 25, 1963.

⁴ It was with straightforward words that Jesus answered the scribes and Pharisees when they complained about Jesus’ disciples eating with unwashed hands. He reached into God’s written Word to reply authoritatively, saying: “Isaiah aptly