Acts 4:29-31 KJV 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your Holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Peter and John was imprisoned because of their faith in Jesus. They healed a lame man at the gate called Beautiful and preached the resurrection power of the only Son of God. They spoke the word of God and many who heard the word believed. The religious leaders at that time refused the teachings of Jesus and forbade them to stop ministering in his name. They conferred that they couldn’t speak against the miracle because it was evident that the man was healed after 40 years of being lame, therefore they could not deny it. Instead, they agreed to stop the spread of the gospel by severely threatening them to no longer speak or teach in the name of Jesus.
Peter and John’s response depicts a position that is exemplary. They answered “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot speak the things which we have seen and heard” In other words, we rather obey God rather than obey man. When we are faced with a difficult decision to stand for the word of God we must exercise boldness and courage. Our response to threats is to obey God and he will handle those that are coming up against his plan.
After they were released, they gathered among other believers and prayed a prayer for boldness. In order to continue to do the will of our Father in heaven, we must ask God to grant us boldness to speak his word and to perform those miracles, signs and wonders that are undeniable. When we exercise boldness, God can begin to use us for great exploits in him. Do not allow the enemy to threaten or silence you. No matter what may come up against you, God is with you as he was with Peter and John.
As you pray and seek God for greater boldness today, let the Spirit of the almighty God begin to fill you afresh with his power so that you may speak unhindered and do the will of your Father in heaven. Let boldness, courage and authority arise in you as you declare the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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