Bold Witnessing

Faithful Believer

After Peter and John were arrested, intimidated, told not to teach in the name of Jesus, and released, they went back to their companions. They went back to share what happened to them. They went back to give encouragement and receive encouragement.

Peter and John saw their ordeal as an opportunity to share the gospel with the most powerful people in Jerusalem. Some may see their ordeal as unfair and political. They saw it as an opportunity to witness to the resurrection of Jesus

Application

We too should have the freedom to share with others what happens in our lives. We need someone who we can go to and tell what God has done. We should not be afraid to tell others of the mighty things God is doing in our lives.

Sharing what the Lord has done in our lives brings hope and confidence in fellow believers.

Rejoicing Believers

When Peter and John shared what happened the people began to praise God. They said, Acts 4:24-26

Acts 4:24–26 (NASB95)

And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples devise futile things? ‘The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

The first thing that they did was recognize the sovereign creator God. They recognized Him as the creator of all things. Being the creator of all things, He is over all things.

They then worshipped Him as the proclaimed the fulfillment of the prophecy of David in Psalms 2:1-2

Psalm 2:1–2 (NASB95)

Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

It is a futile effort to come against the Lord. His will is going to be accomplished. No matter how strong a world power may be, they will never be more powerful than the Lord.

Application

We may see the rebellion of the world against God, but it does not surprise Him. He is not in heaven saying, “what am I going to do?” He has ordained a plan and a purpose that continues to unfold until such a time that the heavens and the earth are destroyed by fire and He creates a new heaven and earth that is free from sin and death.

2 Peter 3:7 NASB95

But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Revelation 21:1–4 (NASB95)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

God is in control. We must put our faith in this. No matter how bad things seem to get, God is still in control.

God promises us everlasting life when either we pass away or the world comes to and end. In the end God wins and so do we.

Believing Believers

They believers rejoiced and recognized that what happened to Jesus was part of God’s plan. they said Acts 4:27-28

Acts 4:27–28 (NASB95)

“For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.

They recognized the effort of the world to put an end to Jesus. They mentioned Herod, Pontius Pilot, Gentiles, and Israel’s part in the crucifixion of Jesus. This is the purpose of Satan. He wants to eradicate the name of Jesus. He knows that Jesus is the only one who can undo his plan of destruction of God’s people.

Herod was trying to stop Jesus when he was born. Matt. 2:16

Matthew 2:16 NASB95

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.

Luke 23:8 NASB95

Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him.

Luke 23:11 NASB95

And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.

Pilot wanted to release Jesus but caved to the political pressure of the Jews and handed Him over to be crucified. Matt. 27:24-26

Matthew 27:24–26 (NASB95)

When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

The roman soldiers beat and crucified Jesus. Matt. 27:31

Matthew 27:31 NASB95

After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

The nation of Israel called for the crucifixion of Jesus. Matt. 27:22-23

Matthew 27:22–23 (NASB95)

Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!” And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”

God used all this evil to bring about His glorious plan of salvation. Satan had thought he had won by putting Jesus to death. But when God raised Him from the dead, Satan was defeated! This was all part of God’s plan.

It was a fulfillment of the proclamation of Joseph in Gen. 50:20

Genesis 50:20 NASB95

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

God’s plan will always be accomplished.

Bold Believers

The believers asked the Lord to give them the boldness to testify about Jesus. Acts 4:29-30

Acts 4:29–30 (NASB95)

“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”

The believers and asked for boldness to share the gospel. They knew the more they shared the gospel, the more people would come to faith in Jesus. They asked for signs and wonders to take place in Jesus name.

Application

We too need boldness to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I do not believe that moral degradation is the greatest threat to the fall of this world. I believe that the silence of Christians is the greatest threat to the fall of this world.

Romans 10:14–15 (NASB95)

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

We must be the people of beautiful feet!

God Answered

They asked for boldness to share the gospel and God filled them with the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:31

Acts 4:31 NASB95

And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

God shook the very foundation on which they prayed, filled them with the Holy Spirit and they proclaimed the word of God with Boldness.

Will you ask the Lord this morning for the boldness necessary to share the word of God? He has already given you the Holy Spirit. Perhaps you need your foundation shaken!