Bold and Courageous

The early church took off like a wildfire driven by the fierce winds of the Holy Spirit. People speaking in tongues, amazing miracles, persecution and arrests, angelic encounters, and astounding stories of conversion. In Acts 4 Luke tells us about Peter and John having to stand before the Sanhedrin to answer for the healing of a lame beggar outside the temple. The man had been crippled since birth and he was now forty-something. And best of all he was standing before these Jewish leaders with these two brothers. (Emphasis on standing!) You can't deny a miracle like that but still these leaders ordered Peter and John to cease preaching. With humility mixed with a holy boldness, Peter replies to their edict: "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20 ESV) Once released, Peter and John call for a prayer meeting and among the things they ask for is more courage so that they can continue declaring Jesus to whomever would listen. That prayer was answered with God shaking the place. The Message has kept going ever since and it now falls to us to wear that Good News mantle. May God enable us to also be bold and courageous!