使徒行傳記載，保羅與其他人一起到聖殿行潔淨的禮（21章26節），但一些猶太人認為保羅的教導違背律法，就煽動群眾毆打保羅，甚至想取他性命（31節）。羅馬士兵迅速介入，並逮捕了保羅。士兵把他捆綁起來，抬著他離開聖殿，鬧事的群眾還跟在後面，高喊：「除掉他！」（36節）

使徒保羅如何回應呢？他對千夫長說：「求你准我對百姓說話」（39節）。在獲得准許之後，遍體鱗傷的保羅轉向憤怒的群眾，與他們分享自己如何相信耶穌（22章1-16節）。

那是大約兩千年前的事了，這個古老的聖經事蹟或許我們難以體會。但最近，在某個迫害基督徒的國家，一個名叫彼得的基督徒去監獄探視一位被監禁的基督徒朋友，竟然當場遭到逮捕。彼得被扔進一間黑暗的牢房，在審訊的過程中，被蒙上眼睛。就在眼罩被摘下的那一刻，他看見四名士兵拿槍指著他。彼得有何反應？他認為這是一個分享福音的絕佳機會。

使徒保羅和現代的彼得都指出一個很難接受，但又很重要的真理。那就是即使上帝讓我們遭逢危難，甚或遭受迫害，我們的任務依舊是「傳福音」（馬可福音16章15節）。祂會與我們同在，並賜給我們智慧和力量，與人分享我們的信仰。

Paul had gone to the temple for the Jewish purification ceremony (Acts 21:26). But some agitators who thought he’d been teaching against the Law sought to take his life (v. 31). Roman soldiers quickly got involved and arrested Paul, bound him, and carried him from the temple area—with the mob shouting, “Get rid of him!” (v. 36).

How did the apostle react to this threat? He asked the troops’ commander if he could “speak to the people” (v. 39). When the Roman leader granted permission, Paul, bleeding and bruised, turned to the angry crowd and shared his faith in Jesus (22:1-16).

That was two thousand years ago—an old Bible story that we might find hard to relate to. More recently, a man named Peter was arrested while visiting a jailed friend who believes in Jesus in a country where believers are regularly persecuted. Peter was tossed into a dark prison cell and blindfolded during interrogations. When the blindfold was removed, he saw four soldiers with guns pointed at him. Peter’s response? He saw it as “a perfect . . . opportunity to share his faith.”

Paul and this modern-day Peter point out a hard, vital truth. Even if God allows us to experience tough times—even persecution—our task remains: “Preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). He will be with us and will give us the wisdom and power to share our faith.