The Early Church - Boldness
This past summer, God brought a word to my mind, and you see it a lot in the book of Acts – boldness! Personally, I do not think we look at this word the same way they did in Acts. In Acts 4, we read about Peter and John getting arrested because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead (verse 2).
What I love is what happens while they are in prison – they pray for boldness! Even in prison, where it would seem as if all is lost, they keep their focus on the One whose name they are proclaiming.
And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:29-30).
When I sat back and thought about this, it made me question if I would do the same. These men were thrown into prison for boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus; and while in prison, they ask to be even more bold in HIS name! Now, what the Lord does after this prayer is amazing. The chapter continues …
When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31).
How amazing is our God! He not only hears their prayer, but He fills them with boldness. I pray for this boldness – not only for myself – but also for the entire church. Imagine what would happen if God’s people regularly and fervently prayed for boldness! Even in the dark times, imagine what the Lord could do if His church stood firm in the boldness only He could provide.
His name, the truth about who He is and what He has done for us – this should be what we yell from the rooftops. We should be telling everyone we encounter about this without hesitation. The enemy and the world today do not want to hear this, and it can be easy for us to get more quiet instead of bolder. It is only Jesus who can give us the boldness we see in Peter and John. We need to start praying for it. Just imagine what will happen once we do.
By Emily Kitts
Emily is a senior at the University of Kentucky and the College Resident at Immanuel. She attends and leads worship at our Armstrong Mill campus.
What I love is what happens while they are in prison – they pray for boldness! Even in prison, where it would seem as if all is lost, they keep their focus on the One whose name they are proclaiming.
And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:29-30).
When I sat back and thought about this, it made me question if I would do the same. These men were thrown into prison for boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus; and while in prison, they ask to be even more bold in HIS name! Now, what the Lord does after this prayer is amazing. The chapter continues …
When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31).
How amazing is our God! He not only hears their prayer, but He fills them with boldness. I pray for this boldness – not only for myself – but also for the entire church. Imagine what would happen if God’s people regularly and fervently prayed for boldness! Even in the dark times, imagine what the Lord could do if His church stood firm in the boldness only He could provide.
His name, the truth about who He is and what He has done for us – this should be what we yell from the rooftops. We should be telling everyone we encounter about this without hesitation. The enemy and the world today do not want to hear this, and it can be easy for us to get more quiet instead of bolder. It is only Jesus who can give us the boldness we see in Peter and John. We need to start praying for it. Just imagine what will happen once we do.
By Emily Kitts
Emily is a senior at the University of Kentucky and the College Resident at Immanuel. She attends and leads worship at our Armstrong Mill campus.
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