Today, we’re starting a new theme for Good Word Friday. This month’s theme is “Boldness.”

First, let’s define boldness. It means fearless and confident (not necessarily arrogant and impetuous). God wants a measure of boldness from us as His followers, and it’s our goal to better understand this.

We’re kicking things off with Acts 4:31. In this chapter, the apostles have just gone head to head with the high priest and other Jewish elders. (Eek!)

These religious leaders were upset with the apostles because the apostles were behaving with boldness for Christ. They were fearlessly and confidently proclaiming Jesus as Savior and healing people in Jesus’ name. Verse 13 says that the boldness of these uneducated, common men astonished the councilmen.

Sadly, these powerful men told the apostles to zip it if they knew what was good for them.

Did this threat scare the apostles? Did they try to be more discreet in their teaching and preaching after this? Did they go underground?

Nope. Instead, they went to their fellow believers and collectively prayed for MORE boldness. Verses 29 and 30 say:

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”

After the prayer, the Holy Spirit shook the place and filled each person. Imagine how pleased God must’ve been by their desire!

This episode from Acts highlights what boldness really is. It’s not an obstinate, willful insistence. It’s not motivated by impudence or presumption. It’s being fearless and confident in our aims.

The apostles had come under fire, and maybe they were shaken up by the admonition and outright persecution from their community’s elect. Nevertheless, they turned to God and asked for strength and power to continue.

How do we react when we find ourselves in the hot seat? Let’s be bold like the apostles, not from any misguided motive, but bold in the message the Lord has given us, asking for His strength to continue and His power to be our witness.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.