Christ's command to his followers before his ascension to heaven was for them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea, in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.

Our Lord did not intend for the good news of his death and resurrection to stay local, but

instead it was to be taken globally.

In this third section of Acts, the adventure continues as the gospel is taken to the ends

of the earth. Let's join Scott Pauley now for today's study.

If you've seen the title of today's study, perhaps you're thinking, oh, this is going to be

terribly depressing. Questions, criticism, and persecution.

Someone says, we wanted a word of encouragement today.

We wanted a good word.

Well, this is a good word because it's God's word, but I'll remind you that Christians

who are doing the right thing, taking their stand for the Lord, and serving Christ,

believers who are speaking the truth truth are going to face questions,

criticism, and persecution.

In fact, Paul himself would write that all that live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

So don't be shocked.

Peter would say, don't think it's strange concerning the fiery trial,

which is to try you

as though some strange thing happen unto you. You're not the only one. You're not the first and you

won't be the last. In fact, you're in good company in a long line of followers of Jesus Christ

who like their master have faced questions, criticism, and persecution. We're in Acts 21, and to this point,

it's been very encouraging because Paul has been meeting with brethren, and they've received him,

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