I. The Word: Acts 4:27-31

27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 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.

II. Reflection Questions:

1. What does the term “evangelism” mean to you? What does it look like in your daily life?
2. Do you think your call to evangelize is solely dependent on you?
3. What are some practical ways you can share the Good News of Christ with others in your daily life?

 

 

Today’s verses describe a turning point in the disciples’ lives. After Jesus ascended to heaven and the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit, a vital church began to grow and blossom. The church’s very leaders experienced a marked change in their perception of who God is, who they were in Him, and how they could share Him with others.

 

In the preceding chapter, Peter and John healed a man who was lame from birth when they were on their way to the Temple. This caused great wonder and amazement among the people. As Peter preached the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, many repented as they heard and believed the word that was preached.

 

This caused such an uproar among the Jewish priests and leaders, they hardly knew what to do with the disciples. They ended up threatening the disciples not to preach in Jesus Name and let them go.

What I find so interesting is the disciples’ response to the Jewish leaders’ threats: they pray asking God to give them all boldness to speak His Word.

 

Let’s rewind real quick. The disciples had just healed a man born lame, preached the Word in Jesus Name which led many to repentance, and took a stand for Jesus when questioned by the Jewish leaders. Doesn’t that seem pretty bold to you?

 

I find it astounding they would pray for more boldness after all the bold moves they had just made!

 

But that’s just what God’s Kingdom is like. He takes us from glory to glory:

 

“And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP)

 

The brightness of the Gospel doesn’t diminish with the passage of time in the believer’s life. Instead it grows even brighter and stronger.

 

The disciples’ prayer for boldness is a shining example of how we can respond to God’s work in our daily lives. The disciples didn’t abandon God’s mission when they faced threats and opposition. On the contrary, they ran even harder after the plans and purposes of God and asked Him for boldness to press on.

 

Even more astounding is God’s overwhelming response in verse 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.”

 

It is God’s desire to equip us and ready us to go forth and fulfill His mission to reconcile sinful man back into His loving arms. I don’t think there’s anyone who rejoices more deeply over one’s salvation than our very own Heavenly Father.

 

The Lord, and only the Lord, initiates salvation. However, He invites us to be a part of what He’s doing by giving us the ministry of reconciliation. We’re not in this alone. It’s a team effort and the Holy Spirit gives us our marching orders.

 

We need to see the Gospel as so much more than just a feel-good word. It is the power of God unto salvation. It has the power to bring us to life and transform us into His image. When we better understand what the Gospel means to us on a personal level, it is that much more compelling to share the Gospel with others in our day-to-day lives.

 

Sharing the Gospel with others, or evangelism, is a lifelong process of looking for opportunities, being bold to step out, and trusting the Lord to guide you along your path. You may not always get the response you want, but you have to trust God knows what He’s doing and there are people who desperately need and desire Him in their lives.

 

III. Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I can’t thank You enough for saving me from a life without You. Thank you for Your grace and mercy. Open my eyes to the people You would like me to reach out to. Give me words of life to share with them. Give me boldness to speak your Word. Holy Spirit, Let’s go! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.