As we read through the book of Acts this week I would like you to take time to reflect on something, the boldness of these early Christians. From the Apostles preaching on the day of Pentecost to Paul preaching in Rome while a prisoner because of Christ, we see the boldness in the followers of Christ.
In Chapter 4 we find Peter and John being arrested for preaching about Jesus and the resurrection. In spite of the threats made by the rulers and leaders for them not to preach, Peter and John said they would obey God, not man. When they gathered together with the other believers, they prayed with them. In their prayer they asked God to grant them to speak BOLDLY the word of the Lord.
In chapter 7 Stephen is brought before the council and he preaches Jesus with last breath.
In chapter 13, Paul and Barnabas are in Antioch and spoke BOLDLY when they were opposed by the Jews.
In chapter 14 Paul and Barnabas spoke Boldly for the Lord in Iconium.
In chapter 18 Apollos speaks boldly concerning Jesus.
In chapter 19 Paul preaches boldly in the synagogue.
In chapter 26 Paul speaks boldly to king Agrippa.
And in chapter 28 Paul speaks boldly while in captivity in Rome.
These are examples of how the Gospel was boldly preached by the early Church. We too, can speak about our Lord boldly. We should not shy away from proclaiming Jesus in our homes, in
our work places, to our neighbors, to our friends. Are we willing to speak boldly? I hope we are. Maybe we need to pray like they did in Acts 4 and ask God to give us boldness to speak out. When we do, we need to be prepared; at the end of the prayer in chapter 4 the place was shaken!
Paul Brunsman
In Chapter 4 we find Peter and John being arrested for preaching about Jesus and the resurrection. In spite of the threats made by the rulers and leaders for them not to preach, Peter and John said they would obey God, not man. When they gathered together with the other believers, they prayed with them. In their prayer they asked God to grant them to speak BOLDLY the word of the Lord.
In chapter 7 Stephen is brought before the council and he preaches Jesus with last breath.
In chapter 13, Paul and Barnabas are in Antioch and spoke BOLDLY when they were opposed by the Jews.
In chapter 14 Paul and Barnabas spoke Boldly for the Lord in Iconium.
In chapter 18 Apollos speaks boldly concerning Jesus.
In chapter 19 Paul preaches boldly in the synagogue.
In chapter 26 Paul speaks boldly to king Agrippa.
And in chapter 28 Paul speaks boldly while in captivity in Rome.
These are examples of how the Gospel was boldly preached by the early Church. We too, can speak about our Lord boldly. We should not shy away from proclaiming Jesus in our homes, in
our work places, to our neighbors, to our friends. Are we willing to speak boldly? I hope we are. Maybe we need to pray like they did in Acts 4 and ask God to give us boldness to speak out. When we do, we need to be prepared; at the end of the prayer in chapter 4 the place was shaken!Paul Brunsman
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