The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude of the martyrs until such grace was needed. Then the Saviour's promise was fulfilled. When Peter and John testified before the Sanhedrin council, men "marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13. Of Stephen it is written that "all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." Men "were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Acts 6:15, 10. And Paul, writing of his own trial at the court of the Caesars, says, "At my first defense no one took my 355 part, but all forsook me. . . . But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." 2 Tim. 4:16, 17, R. V.

Disciplene blev ikke udstyret med martyrernes mod og styrke, før de fik brug for en sådan nåde: Så blev Frelserens løfte opfyldt. Da Peter og Johannes aflagde vidnesbyrd for det jødiske råd, "undrede de sig; men så kendte de dem igen og huskede, at de havde været sammen med Jesus." Apg. 4,13. Om Stefanus skrives der, at "alle de, der sad i rådet, stirrede på ham, og hans ansigt var, for dem at se, som en engels ansigt". Mennesker "kunne ikke modstå den visdom og den ånd, hvormed han talte". Apg. 6,15. 10. Og da Paulus skriver om sit eget forhør ved kejserens domstol, siger han: "Under mit første forsvar kom ingen mig til hjælp, men alle svigtede mig. ..... Men Herren stod mig bi og gav mig kraft, for at forkyndelsen af budskabet ved mig kunne blive ført helt til ende, og alle hedningerne få det at høre; og jeg blev friet ud af løvens gab." 2Tim. 4,16-17.