Courageous Christian Culture
Courageous Culture
“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.”
Acts 4:1-4 NIV
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13 NKJV
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”
Acts 4:29 NIV
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Acts 4:31 NIV
Boldness
Freedom in speaking – free and fearless confidence – cheerful courage
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Philippians 1:20 NIV
Recognize the Presence of God the Son
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13 NKJV
Realize the Providence of God the Father
“When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.”
Acts 4:24 NIV
“Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.”
Acts 4:27-28 NIV
“You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?”
Acts 4:25 NIV
“The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them… “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.””
Psalms 2:4, 6 NIV
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.””
Acts 4:29-30 NIV
Receive the Power of God the Spirit
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Acts 4:31 NIV
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!”
Acts 4:8 NIV
“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all”
Acts 4:33 NIV