What a difference!  There was no doubt that something had changed, or should I say, something had changed them.  As we’ve begun our Sunday morning studies in the book of Acts, this change has again jumped out at me and challenged me.  I’m talking about Christ’s disciples (minus Judas Iscariot, of course).  Remember?  Remember the day that Jesus rose from the dead?  John 20:19 tells us that the disciples were together and that “the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews.”  These men who had followed their Master and had seen and heard so many marvelous things had been silenced by the fear that they might face the same horrible, painful suffering at the hands of the Jewish leaders.  But not too long after that, you see a completely different group.  They sure look like that fearful bunch, but they sure don’t act like them.  Over in Acts 5:40-42 you find these men being right where they had feared: in front of the Jewish leaders, interrogated, threatened, and beaten.  But the fear is gone.  They actually left that courtroom rejoicing.  Yes, “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”  And then they went right out and “daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”  As I said, what a difference!  How did these men go from that frightened, secluded group to a public force for Christ that refused to be quiet?  It seems to me that their time with the risen Lord and their surrender to the controlling power of His Spirit completely transformed them.  I believe the same goes for us.  If I maintain a vibrant walk with the Savior and allow His Spirit to manage and control my life, I will be used to consistently point others to the saving message of the gospel.  And if I’m not consistent with my witness, with living and sharing my faith, well, that tells me something about my spiritual state, doesn’t it?  When it comes to sharing the gospel with others, do we find ourselves in secluded silence or in the public square proclaiming Christ?  That’s something to think about.