Holy Boldness


In Acts chapter 4, we glimpse the emerging new church and their early persecution. Leaders Peter and John testified boldly about Messiah Jesus and the hope of humanity, and they were arrested for doing so. The authorities ask them to stop and they replied that they must obey God first and simply couldn't help talking about what they'd seen and heard from Jesus's life, death and resurrection. They were noted as being bold.

Would we followers of Jesus in our daily lives ever be called bold today?

What would that look like in modern life? To be holy and bold in current western culture is difficult. To choose love over hate, generosity over gluttony, kindness over indifference? What would people see if we were the first to love our enemies and to do good to those who hurt and disagree with us?

Just imagine what a people who are bold in doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with Messiah Jesus (Micah 6:8) could do to change the world?

May the early church's prayer be ours today:

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
-Acts 4 ESV


Photo by Steve Harvey on Unsplash 

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