Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 (ESV)
When the rulers, elders and teachers of the law saw the courage of Peter and John and realised they were unschooled ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note they had been with Jesus.
I often wonder how we should be praying at this critical time in the Church of England and what we should ask our friends in GSFA and the Anglican Communion to pray for.
The amazing story of the man being healed in Acts 4 so disturbed the authorities, that they arrested and imprisoned Peter and John. After being questioned the next day, the two Apostles declared that there was no other name than that of Jesus by which a person must be saved (Acts 4.12). Eventually they were freed, told not speak in the name of Jesus, but Peter and John said: we cannot help but speak of what we’ve seen and heard.
Please note one word that comes three times in Luke’s account of this event in the whole chapter. It’s the word courage or boldness, the same word in the Greek original. The need of the hour in England is for courage.
1. The apostles astonished the authorities by their courage 4.13
It wasn’t just that they were non professionals, lacking theological training, but they spoke with such clarity, conviction, and intent, that their courage was seen by their opponents who were astonished. I ask myself what sort of courage do others see in me, if at all? More than that it was noted remarkably that they had been with Jesus. They spoke as He had done and were willing to take the consequences. This was the Jesus way. Their manner and their message revealed their connection to Jesus and in particular His courage to face the cross. I ask myself again: do others see anything of Jesus in me and conclude I have been with Him?
It is all too easy in England for fear to grip our hearts even among those of us who want to hold to the traditional, historic, Anglican and biblical teaching around relationships, sexual intimacy and marriage. Many followers of Jesus around the world face considerably greater opposition than here in the UK and demonstrate real courage. They are an inspiration.
When we feel weak, inadequate and fearful, see the courage of others and read the witness of a Daniel, a Jeremiah, a Stephen, the 4th century Martin of Tours, a Cranmer, Latimer or Ridley in 16th century or a Ryle in 19th century or many today, we should be motivated by their witness to greater courage and willingness to suffer for the Gospel.
How can we grow in courage? The Apostles give us the answer.
2. The Apostles prayed for courage 4.29
They knew they needed it and didn’t have it in their own resources.
So they asked for courage.
It was that fresh courage after the day of Pentecost earlier in Acts that transformed the motley band of early disciples into men and women of extraordinary courage. Many references to their boldness are linked to the gift and filling of the Holy Spirit. We all need that Holy Spirit courage whatever our context.
3. The Apostles continued to speak with courage
Acts 4.31: The opposition failed to silence them and after they prayed, they continued to proclaim, preach and evangelise boldly, with courage, that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father but by Him. There is no other name.
We must resist the temptation to soften the message, tone down the call of the Gospel or compromise. The need of the day is for courageous speaking out as well as visible, noticeable action.
And we pray that as in Acts 4.13 others will see our courage and note we have been with Jesus.
Please pray for CEEC and the Alliance here in England to grow in courage.
Right Revd Julian Henderson
President
Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC)
This devotional was first published by the GSFA which can be viewed here.
