Being Boldनमुना

Boldness

These are the words of Peter as he and John are on trial. Could Peter be any more direct? Look at his statements: You crucified Jesus. God raised Him from the dead. Salvation is found in no one else except Jesus Christ. He boldly declares that Jesus is the Son of God, and there is no other way to truly know God except through faith in Christ.

To proclaim this was controversial 2,000 years ago, and it is just as contentious today. Just a few weeks earlier, Peter, in order to avoid possible arrest, denied that he knew Jesus Christ to a servant girl. But here he is before this powerful body of men, boldly reminding them that they had crucified Jesus, that God had raised Him from the dead, and that He is God’s only way of salvation. What made the difference? Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The early church was marked by a distinctive trait: boldness. This holy boldness of the early Christians empowered them to confront opposition, endure persecution, and even face martyrdom for their faith. It was this boldness that enabled the early church to turn the world upside down for Jesus.

If we aspire to stand firm and impact our world with the Gospel, we must embody the holy boldness that characterised the early church. We must pray fervently, as they did: ‘Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness’ (Acts 4:29 NIV).

Written by HEIDI WYSMAN