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How You Can Have Visible Boldness
by Bro. Peter Rahme
 “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
They saw the boldness
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John…” Let’s pause here for a moment, who were the ones that saw the boldness of Peter and John? They were the leaders of Israel, the rulers, elders, and scribes, including Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, “…and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.” (Acts 4:5-7) These were the men who had Jesus crucified and buried in a tomb of solid rock. Now, the boldness of the disciples, who were uneducated and untrained men, got their attention. Why? Because Godly boldness can be seen.
Is education or training necessary for boldness?
The religious leaders perceived that the disciples were uneducated and untrained men. They enquired of the apostles and called them in personally and found out these men were not trained at the feet of the great teachers of the day - men like Gamaliel (Acts 5:34), as Saul of Tarsus was. The disciples were mere fishermen and tax collectors - just your everyday man in the street. They were also born in Galilee and were not known to be in any sect, or have any seats in the Sanhedrin, or enrolled in any of the colleges. But they spoke the Word of God with great boldness and accuracy! This confounded the council and leaders in authority.
They marveled
Nevertheless, they marveled, because the disciples spoke with such authority and assurance about what they believed concerning the Old Testament. One of their leaders, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who also eventually helped take Jesus off the cross, marveled just as these men did when Jesus told him that he  must be born again (John 3:7). These rulers admired and marveled at the disciples’ boldness and courage, but they were not willing to accept or believe what they had to say.
In Acts 3:1-6 you will read about a man who was lame from his mother's womb. He was over forty years old and every day his friends placed him at the gate of the temple which was called Beautiful, to beg for alms from those who entered the temple (Acts 4:22). When they saw him, boldness rose up in Peter and John and they immediately commanded him in the name of Jesus, to rise up and walk, and he was instantly healed. What made them do this? They had been with Jesus! They simply acted in faith. The religious leaders questioned the man at length about this miracle but they would not believe it because it was performed in the name of Jesus, whom they had crucified.
They had been with Jesus
They realized that they had been with Jesus. This is the key to our text. What amazed the council and the leaders more than anything else was the fact that just a few weeks before, they had Jesus tried and put to death, on a cruel cross for all the world to see. Now these disciples of his were confounding them with the same authority, boldness and assurance that their leader, Jesus of Nazareth preached, taught and did.
Do you know Him?
Wouldn’t you love to be known and remembered for the fragrance of JESUS that radiates from you? Not for your profession, your clothes, your car or your home? That it would be plain for all to see that you have been with Jesus? I have good news for you! The more time you spend with Jesus, the more His love and peace will emanate from you. When you purpose in your heart to get to know Him intimately and experientially, your joy will be full and life will take on new meaning and purpose. You will begin to walk righteously without even trying to, just from being in His presence. And the bible says the righteous are bold as a lion! (Proverbs 28:1)
 We often go about our daily life searching for answers, trying to figure out why things should or shouldn’t have happened instead of turning to the One who delivered us out of deep distress and despair when we were in our deepest need. I encourage you to trust Jesus with your life, throw yourself into His loving arms because He cares for you. He will lead and guide you as you walk with Him daily. Then you can boldly walk in every provision of God, with the authority of Jesus in every area of your life.
“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Bro. Peter Rahme
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