“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, NKJV)
The early church suffered strong persecution, but they faced their persecutors with boldness. They demonstrated reckless faith despite the opposition they faced. Their stories are a lesson for us all.
The Boldness of Ordinary Men
Somehow, I have always pictured the apostles and others I read about in the New Testament as super Christians—fearless, courageous, and determined. But then I realized they were just ordinary people like you and me. The boldness they displayed in standing up against opposition was through the power of the Spirit, not because they were some kind of super saint.
Acts 4:13 says the religious leaders “perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men.” Yet these ordinary men were the ones God used to build His church and carry this gospel to the world.
What does it really mean to be bold? Boldness is defined as a “lack of hesitation or fear in the face of risk or danger; refusal to be held back by the opinion or judgment of others” (Dictionary.com).
Peter and John did not allow what others thought to deter them from preaching Jesus. Regardless of the personal risk, they refused to back down. They willingly put their lives on the line to declare what they knew to be truth. They refused to compromise truth for safety. The two men declared:
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Verses 19 and 20)
Empowered by the Spirit
The opposition they received did not silence them. It drove Peter and John to pray for even greater boldness. They knew that they could not rely on their own strength. It was the power of God operating in their lives that allowed them to press forward and to accomplish God’s purpose.
“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30, NKJV)
Confident Boldness
Most of us will never face the strong opposition that the early church faced, but we will have our faith challenged. When others scoff or pressure us to compromise our beliefs, we must confidently and boldly take a stand for truth. Peter and John held no positions of influence nor could they boast of their educational achievements. Yet it was easily noted that “they had been with Jesus” (verse 13). What better testimony could any of us have!
Our boldness and our confidence come through our faith in the Lord (Ephesians 3:12).
When we boldly stand firm in the faith, our determination will also encourage our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. We see this in the life of Paul.
”But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14, NKJV)
Be bold. Be confident. Let others see that you have been with the Lord. That is the source of our boldness.
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
