Torch, Fall 1978

7 died in his sleep. During our student prayer meeting that week there was a hush as we realized the importance of speaking boldly for Christ with each contact. When we are involved in personal evangelism, we should face our fears honestly before God, realizing they are anxieties common to everyone. If we look at the NewTestament we can -'s1'e that even the early disciples were fearful because of the people (John 20:19). YetinActs4:13thetestimony ·about Peter was that he was bold for brist. A man who denied the Lord, e with the disciples, and met hind closed doors was now bold for Chlist. Why the change? I believe the -key is found in Philippians 3:10where Paul says, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection and the llowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." Let's apply this prayer to Peter's life. First, did he know Christ? When asked about who Jesus was, Peter confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the on of the living God." Second, the eal change in Peter came after ~he r urrection of Christ when he real~that no one had power over him. He\vas now bold in the knowledge that he served a supernatural Saviour Who had power over the grave (John 20:21, 22). Third, we read in 1Peter4:13, "But ~-~··nasmuch as ye are partakers o hrist's sufferings; that when his glo shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." That is true lowshipping in the suffering of rist. The final point of the prayer is o be made conformable to His death. ter 'f'as to die to self-will, and allow e wi11of God to be carried out in his life from then on, even to his own physical death (John 21 :18, 19).. Let us follow the example of Peter's boldness which is based on the knowledge of whom we serve and of His power, counting it all joy to suffer and be made conformable to His death as we attempt to fulfill our responsibility to be a witness for Him. Reu. Harold Green is Director ofChristian Ser– uice at Cedaroille College.