But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."—Acts 5:19-20 (ESV)
Their rescue from prison was for a purpose..to continue the work of holding forth the words that gave life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Author of Life.
“holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:16, ESV)
The KJV says holding forth” rather than holding fast—As believers we are to hold out or offer the word of life for others to take. The word of life is the gospel which, when believed, produces spiritual and eternal life.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4, ESV)
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25, ESV)
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6:63, ESV)
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, (John 6:68, ESV)
