“As the manner of SOME is”...

"Some” in Acts 2:37 “gladly received” his word...

“Some” in Acts 7:54, “stopped their ears…”

These represent the only possible two reactions when “cut to the heart”.

Truth ‘cuts’ or ‘pricks’ the heart as it convicts of sin:

~ Heb. 4:12 – “for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”).

~ 2 Tim. 3:16 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, for INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS...”

This word, when “preached” will, “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine”. It stands opposed to ‘fable’ preaching, which neither reproves, rebukes, nor exhorts.

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT with all LONG SUFFERING and DOCTRINE. For the time will come when they will not endure SOUND DOCTRINE; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall TURN away their ears FROM THE TRUTH, and shall be turned unto FABLES.” - 2 Tim. 4:1-4.

A good and honest heart “gladly receives” the word and does as instructed (Acts 2:41).

Those in Acts 7 had previously been unable to “resist” (Acts 6:10) the wisdom and the spirit by which Stephen spake. 

[Jesus had told His disciples earlier, “…your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist” the wisdom”.]

When truth and fables clash, the one who is preaching truth will stand out by the wisdom and spirit in which he preaches. 

The one whose preaching is a perversion of truth will react in emotional outbursts, anger and underhandedly try to discredit his opponent, not being able to ‘gainsay’ (prove wrong) or resist (oppose; withstand) exposure of his perversions. He will do similarly as those did toward Stephen:

~ “...they SECRETLY INDUCED men…”. 

~ “...they STIRRED UP the people…”. 

~ “they also SET UP FALSE WITNESSES…”

Secretly inducing???; Stirring up others???; Getting false witnesses??? Why such underhanded tactics? Because they can’t answer the REPROOF, REBUKE, and SOUND DOCTRINE!

A preacher of truth never has to resort to underhanded measures or lose his composure, for the power is all in the message of truth. The message REPROVES, REBUKES, AND IS SOUND! No loop holes or contradictions are to be found, without dishonest tactics (i.e., secretly inducing; stirring up others; and getting false witnesses)

The nature of the heart is revealed through simple proclamation of truth; it ‘cuts’ both ways. It will either approve or disprove the individual. Sin will be exposed when true preaching is proclaimed. If one loves truth, he will repent and be baptized; if his love (god) is pleasure in unrighteousness, he will resort to underhanded measures and/or lose his composure in resistance.

The Lord so forewarned of this reaction: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” – John 3:17-21

Will you gladly receive God’s reproof and rebuke, or stop your ears?

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