The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Acts 5:41-42

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I’ve never been part of a trial, but I’m no stranger to courtroom oaths. Every day, bailiffs ask people taking the stand this poignant question: “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” It’s simple and straightforward. And from what I hear, it’s easier to declare than fulfill when significant consequences are on the line. Yes, there’s a difference between outright lying and withholding information. But in the end, voluntarily coming forward with “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” makes all the difference in the world.

In 1980, a Rwandan tribesman’s life was on the line over his Christian faith. But rather than renounce Jesus, he unwaveringly told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about Him up to his last breath. The story, as retold by pastor Bob Moorehead in “Words Aptly Spoken”, reveals what deep devotion to Christ looks like. Resolute in his convictions, the young African man refused to remain silent about what he knew to be true about God’s Good News. He stood firm and suffered disgrace, just like the Apostles in Acts 5:17-42. He was persecuted for clinging to the Name of Jesus, just like Christ promised in John 15:18-21. And then, innocent of any wrongdoing, he was executed. Not surprisingly, his story has inspired countless Christ-followers. If you’ve never read the powerful poem he wrote, download a copy of “The Fellowship of the Unashamed” here.

I don’t know if you or I will ever be dragged into court to defend our faith. As I reflect on the Apostles’ joy in suffering for Jesus, or the young Rwandan’s resolve in the face of death, I wonder if I’d do the same. This may sound odd coming from a seasoned pastor, but I’m not alone in the wrestling. When I first trusted Jesus for salvation and was baptized, I let the world know I was sold out for Him. Since then, I’ve spent over four decades advocating that the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about Christ is what matters most. But that’s not the same as being on trial for it. Today, I’m spending time asking myself hard questions about all this, and I hope you will too.

Next Steps

Take a few moments to read “The Fellowship of the Unashamed.” How does this affect your convictions about what you believe? Considering the Apostles’ and the Rwandan tribesman’s stories, how far would you go to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about Christ if asked? (Pro Tip: These next steps could be a great exercise to do with your small group.)