Point of No Return by Paul McCusker

because Jesus rose from the dead to prove He’s their Lord and Messiah! And look at what the people did.
    â€œThe people said, ‘What’re we supposed to do?’ and Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah, and then their sins would be forgiven.
    â€œYou see what he did? He told them the gospel, plain and simple, and they responded. He witnessed to them.
    â€œDo you know what witnessing is? Witnessing is telling what you know. Like if you saw a car accident, you’d act as a witness —you’d tell the police and the court what you saw, what you know. That’s what Peter did. He told them what he knew. And they responded by asking how they could know Jesus the way Peter did. And look at verse 41. Do you see that verse? Three thousand people were added to the church that day! Three thousand —all because Peter took the time to share the gospel. He could’ve made all the excuses we make—about how we’re tired or embarrassed or don’t want to be pushy. Did Peter care? No! He obeyed Scripture, called on the power of the Holy Spirit, and explained his faith, and three thousand became believers.”
    Someone knocked on Jimmy’s bedroom door.
    â€œYeah?” Jimmy called out.
    â€œJust making sure you’re up,” his mother said. “We don’t want you to be late for school.”
    â€œOkay,” Jimmy said and sat up. The preacher had finished speaking, and an announcer was telling about booklets listeners could order. Jimmy turned off the radio and got ready for school.
    It would be his first day there as a new Christian, and he wanted to make it count. If Peter could bring three thousand people to their knees, Jimmy could at least do the same with a couple of kids. One way or another, he was going to make an impact.
    And he did.

    The morning at school slipped past in a blur of history, English, and math. Jimmy and Tony were in different classes, so he didn’t get to see him until lunch. Tony was sitting with Brad Woodward when Jimmy walked up to their table.
    â€œHey, Tony,” Jimmy said as he sat down.
    Tony and Brad stopped their conversation to look at Jimmy. “What’s up, Jimmy?” Tony said.
    â€œNot much,” Jimmy said. That was one of their normal exchanges, like when adults say “Hi, how are you?” and the other says “Fine” even if he isn’t fine.
    â€œBrad and I were just talking about Saturday night at Allen’s Pond,” Tony explained. Then he said to Brad, “Jimmy couldn’t go with us ’cause he was in trouble and had to go to church. Right, Jimmy?”
    Jimmy answered, “Yeah, well, I—”
    Tony continued saying to Brad, “Did I tell you that Jimmy’s all religious now? He’s gonna grow up and be one of those TV evangelist guys.” Tony and Brad laughed.
    â€œCut it out, Tony! I am not,” Jimmy said.
    â€œHe’ll have to paint his hair white and get sweaty and talk in a REAL LOUD VOICE,” Brad added.
    â€œHe’ll have to buy a white suit,” Tony said with a laugh.
    Jimmy wondered if Peter had to put up with this kind of junk. “Don’t be stupid,” Jimmy said.
    â€œI still think you’re just pulling something to get out of trouble with your parents,” Tony said.
    â€œNo, I’m not,” Jimmy said.
    â€œThen come on, tell us what happened,” Tony said.
    Jimmy thought back to what the preacher had said that morning: Witnessing is just telling what happened, and then three thousand could be saved. So Jimmy sent up a quick prayer for the Holy Spirit to help him make Tony and Brad fall to their knees and become Christians right there. He began, “See, I went to church the other night, and I thought it’d be really boring, but it wasn’t. We played games, and then Dave, one of our pastors, talked and said that—”
    â€œWhat kind of