I have put together some thoughts on the different components of this verse, and I hope it will be a blessing and encouragement to all who read it.
GO:
When the Angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, and brought Peter and John out of the prison, it was not simply for the sake of relieving them from their present situation, it was because the Lord planned to use them to further proclaim the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! When the gospel is proclaimed, it requires energy and activity. Peter and John had to get up on their feet, and go!
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:15.
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation..." Isaiah 52:7.
"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went... "then the Spirit said unto Philip, go near, and join thyself to this chariot, and Philip ran thither to him... "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."
Acts 8:26-27,29-30,35.
Stand and speak:
I believe this means to have the courage and boldness to speak the truth of God's word to a lost and dying world. Speaking the truth in love, spreading the light of Jesus to a dark and dying world.
"... be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might... that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil... That ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth..." Ephesians 6:10-11,13-14.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth..." Romans 1:16.
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit... that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." Ephesians 6:18,19.
"What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops." Matthew 10:27.
In the temple to the people:
In the temple (or temple courtyard) was a public place where many people gathered. The idea is to reach the "common man", or multitudes, with the gospel message, wherever possible and however possible.
"The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.
"And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." Luke 14:23.
All the words:
It is extremely important that when we proclaim the gospel, that we are proclaiming the complete gospel. Leaving something out in an attempt to make it easier on the ears to listeners, will only serve to harm them in the long run. Repentance must be preached, and that an eternity in Hell, separated from God, awaits the sinner who does not turn from his sins and believe that only the shed blood of Jesus can wash us from our sin and make us seen as cleansed and righteous in the sight of God.
"... I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you... testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ... For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." Acts 20:20-21, 27.
Of this life:
"This life" that is being referred to here, is not this present, sin-filled life that leads to spiritual death, and an eternity in Hell, but rather, the new life that is promised in Christ, through the gospel, which is eternal life.
"The words that I (Jesus) speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life... Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." John 6:63,67-68.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." John 14:6.
"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!" Deuteronomy 30:19. (NLT)
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