Bold Witnesses

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John healed a man begging for alms outside of the Temple (Acts 3:5-10). As at Pentecost, Peter took advantage of the crowd’s amazement to preach boldly about Jesus’ death and resurrection, resulting in another large number of people coming to faith and annoying the religious leaders (Acts 4:2). These leaders were ineffective in shutting down the disciples’ bold witness, though they jailed Peter and John for a night and ordered them to stop speaking about Jesus. Instead, the believers prayed for God to do more signs and wonders and to increase their boldness in evangelism.

Read Acts 4:7-31 and then consider:

1. Just as they had with Jesus, the religious leaders question where Peter and John’s power to heal came from? How does Peter take advantage of this question?
2. What is at stake for the religious leaders in this situation? What is at stake for the believers?
3. Notice God’s answer to their prayer (Acts 4:31). What is the significance of these believers being filled with the Holy Spirit again? How does the connection between the filling of the Spirit and boldness in witness challenge us today?
4. How often do you pray for yourself and others to be bold in evangelism? How is God inviting you to change how you pray?