I Should Have Said…

We probably all have had the experience after a conversation (often a particularly heated one) where we suddenly think, “I should have said…” Sometimes I experience that sensation after talking with someone and think, "I should have said something about Jesus!" Even as a pastor, I will admit there are many times I have failed to see an opportunity to put in a good word for my Lord.

But you certainly do not need to be a pastor to say something to someone else about Jesus. Maybe you feel that way sometimes, but the majority of people who have come to Christ over the last 2000 years most likely did not hear about Jesus from a theologically trained ministry professional. In fact there is really only one qualification you need, and we find it in Acts chapter 4:

Acts 4:1-13 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-- by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Let's zone in on verse 13 - Peter and John, arrested after the healing of a crippled man, are before the powerful ruling authorities. These powerful men could imprison or beat them or probably even convince some Roman officials to do away with Peter and John. However, after Peter speaks, instead we are told they were astonished by Peter and John’s boldness. They had no problem speaking about Jesus in the midst of an incredibly tense and dangerous situation.

Now Peter and John are not theologically trained ministry professionals. In fact, Dr. Luke makes a point to tell us that they are “uneducated” and “common.” Common here comes from the Greek word idiotai which in its most basic form means “unskilled in speaking.” No theological degree, no training in ministry, did not go to the Billy Graham school of evangelism, or even have the advantage of a good study Bible!

How was this possible? We are told. "And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." These guys had been with Jesus. All other stuff might be helpful, but it is no substitute for being with Jesus.

I think one of the best lessons of Acts 4:13 is that if we spent more time with Jesus, we would probably speak more boldly and confidently about Him. And never again 20 minutes after a conversation would we need to think, “I should have said…”