Boldness in the Face of Opposition

Bible Passage: Acts 4:23–31

Warren Wiersbe says in The Bible Exposition Commentary “True prayer is not telling God what to do, but asking God to do His will in us and through us (1 John 5:14–15). It means getting God’s will done on earth, not man’s will done in heaven.

Summary: This passage recounts the response of Peter and John after their release from imprisonment.

1. They return to their fellow believers and pray for boldness to proclaim the Gospel, recognizing God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of prophecy through their suffering.

The Believers’ Prayer

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“ ‘Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth take their stand

and the rulers gather together

against the Lord

and against his Anointed One.’

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Application: In a world where faith can lead to confrontation and persecution, this passage encourages us to draw strength from community and prayer.

1. It teaches us that despite opposition, we can seek God's empowerment for boldness in sharing our faith.

Teaching: These passages underscore the importance of prayer in the life of a believer, especially when facing trials.

1. It highlights the communal aspect of faith, where believers come together to seek God’s guidance and support.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the ultimate example of boldness in the face of opposition, fulfilling God's plan through suffering.

1. It demonstrates how His resurrection empowers believers to boldly witness for Him despite challenges they face.

Big Idea: True boldness in faith emerges from prayerful dependence on God and the support of the Christian community, empowering us to be fearless witnesses for Christ.

1. Community Connection Counts

Acts 4:23-24

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

NIV

1. The first thing that we see is Peter and John return to their community.

a. Who was this community?

i. Other believers, the church.

2. Facing opposition and achieving boldness requires support from the community of faith.

a. Drawing on the support of fellow believers empowers individuals to find courage and reassurance.

b. Through community, believers draw strength and gain perspective, which is crucial when facing trials.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

2. Comprehend Divine Control

Acts 4:25-28

25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.'

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

NIV

1. Verse 25-26 The believers are drawing from Psalms 2:1-2

Ps 2:1-2

1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.

NIV

2. By acknowledging that their struggles were part of God's sovereign plan, the early Christians found assurance.

a. Assurance is confidence that is what it means.

b. Christs crucifixion and resurrection was and is and always has been God’s plan.

c. We can find assurance in this.

3. This encapsulates the truth that opposition to the Gospel is not unexpected but fulfills God's purposes as seen in Christ's own suffering.

a. Look what Jesus Himself said to His disciples.

John 15:18

 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

NIV

4.  We can find boldness by understanding our place in this divine narrative.

a. It reassures that opposition can be part of carrying out the bigger picture God has in mind, just as Christ's opposition fulfilled prophecy.

b. It also recognizes divine sovereignty over circumstances to cultivate boldness and peace.

“God had a plan for my life, and he has always provided for me. I have a joy in my heart that no one can take away.”

Hope abortion survivor.

3. Cry Out for Courage

Acts 4:29-31

Acts 4:29-31

29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

NIV

1. The believers’ fervent prayer for boldness demonstrates that prayer is the our resource for divine empowerment when facing trials.

a. It's through earnest prayer that they received the Holy Spirit and spoke God’s word boldly.

b. And, It's through earnest prayer that we receive the Holy Spirit and speek God’s word boldly.

2. Jesus had the habit of prayer, we see several examples throughout scripture of Jesus praying.

a. But it is the one prayer in the garden of Gethsemane that we see him praying fervently, that came to my mind.

b. Even though His time had come He knew that God’s plan was good. He was assured that because of God’s plan His disciples and those he loves will be saved through Gods plan.

c. Look at this passage.

Matt 26:36-46

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.

41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.

44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

NIV

v Conclusion: Warren Wiersbe says, “Christians today ought to imitate the first Christians in their praying, for they tied their praying to the word of God (John 15:7).”[1]

John 15:7

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

NIV

[1]Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 286.