“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognised that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 ESV
We see that this boldness was a direct witness to Jesus Christ, it was evidence of being in His company. What’s interesting is not that they marvelled at the healed man, but they were more marvelled by Peter and John’s boldness in speech.
The boldness described did not find its foundation in the disciples’ level of education but in being filled with the Holy Spirit and knowing the marvellous chief cornerstone Jesus.
This boldness did not draw attention to Peter or John, but it drew a recognition to Jesus. It was not pride or being some kind of superstar. No, this was about common people speaking in such an uncommon way that hearers were astonished.
The Holy Spirit does this, He glorifies Jesus (John16:14). Hearers became aware that Peter and John had been in the company of Jesus, this boldness was familiar, this boldness reminded onlookers of Jesus.
Don’t shoot the messenger
When Peter and John spoke, they knew that it was not their knowledge or skill that impacted the hearts of people, but it was the presence of the Holy Spirit bearing witness to Jesus. Peter and John were just the messengers.
Peter and John teach us that boldness is comfortable in the presence of humility. Being more God conscious can help us be less self-conscious too.
If God gives us a message to share, there is no pressure to be bold about ourselves. We too can be bold about our Lord Jesus by the Holy Spirit when we seek to glorify Him. We trust in the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do.
Becoming more like Jesus
With this infilling of the Holy Spirit the disciples became more like their Lord. So similarly if we are filled by the Holy Spirit we will become more like Jesus. This boldness does not have its foundation on our own human knowledge or our position in life but comes from the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4 describes the day of Pentecost and it shows what happens when men and women waited in obedience for the promised Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit transformed them, He gave them a new confidence and freedom in speech on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is always worth waiting for.
Are you lacking boldness? The more time you spend in the company of Jesus, the more you wait upon and allow the Holy Spirit to fill you, the more you rely on His help, the more boldness will grow organically out of your life.
Boldness was not something that Peter and John had to manufacture; this was not a show of acting skills. No, this was the effect of the Holy Spirit, reminding the listeners of Jesus. He is the original giver of boldness and He has and still does enable men and women to do amazing things. He always brings Jesus to the front, and He uses regular common people like you and me.
Defining biblical boldness
Parhessia is the word used to describe freedom in speech and boldness, or our more common English word confidence.
The Bible is rich with many failed attempts of confidence. When we look at Peter putting confidence in himself to not deny Jesus, his speech may have sounded bold, but it was not rooted in truth. Or what of the Israelites in the new promise land where they swore that they would not turn aside to foreign gods.
These types of confidence may sound bold but may be like the shallow soil if it is not anchored in someone much stronger than us.
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29-31 ESV
The Holy Spirit helps us to be bold
Joshua said to the Israelites “You are not able to serve the Lord” Joshua 24:19 ESV This is true for all of us, without the work of the Holy Spirit.
On the day of Pentecost, we see a new type of confidence, a boldness given by the Holy Spirit for all disciples who waited for Him. Similarly, throughout the book of Acts we don’t see a church confident in themselves, but we see a church completely reliant upon God. God’s answer to our wavering confidence is the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we too must seek and wait upon Him rather than relying upon our natural strength or abilities.
Prayer
Thank you, Father, for sending your Holy Spirit. Help me to do your will confidently by the power of your Holy Spirit and not in my own strength. Thank you for the freedom that you give to me to not focus on myself or my own abilities but to wait on you. I ask you to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit, so that I can be more like Jesus and so that I can serve you with boldness.