Boldness 1 by Andy Carruthers
Cover image: WSL
There is a difference between being bold (having the willingness to take risks and act innovatively) and being cocky or outright disrespectful. Especially disrespectful to authority. I have seen both displayed at surfing events some surfers are willing to challenge the norms and push the limits they mostly let their surfing do the talking. Occasionally they back up this maverick behavior with words and statements. Then there are those who are full of words and statements but lack boundary-pushing actions that match what they are saying.
Here in Acts, we see the Apostles are beginning to push boundaries and challenge accepted traditions and norms. The authorities don’t like it.
Act 4: 1-7 1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power or by what name did you do this?
The rulers, elders & teachers of the law met. This is mostly the men who sentenced Jesus.
We see that their concerns are all to do with authority, or more rightly their authority being threatened. Vs 7 they ask; “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
1.The question from the Sadducees is based around power and authority. They believe they know and interpret what is and isn’t of God. This usually is decided along the lines of what keeps the status quo and them in power is of God and what doesn’t is definitely not of God.
2.vs 8 we see Peters response. It is definitely worth noting that Peter is again filled with the spirit. God enables him to speak boldly. Jesus had foretold this in Lk 12: 11&12 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
The apostles confess Christ before the men who murdered their master.
They speak 3 basic truths about Jesus:
1 He is alive Acts 4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him, this man is standing before you well.
2. The opposition they now face is expected. Acts 4:11This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.Just because the status quo and rulers are opposing the truth doesn’t mean it's not true and this opposition is to be expected.
3. OnlyJesus can claim exclusive authority. Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
The claims of Jesus are exclusive the gospel is for all, but Jesus is the only way to God. 1 Tim 2:5-6 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
These claims were not baseless but they were boldly backed up in the immediate instance by miraculous healing and in the previous by the life death and resurrection of Jesus.
Boldness doesn't mean rude, obnoxious, loud, or disrespectful. Being bold is being firm, sure, confident, fearless, daring, strong, resilient, and not easily intimidated. It means you're willing to go where you've never been, willing to try what you've never tried, and willing to trust what you've never trusted. Boldness is quiet, not noisy. Mike Yaconelli
The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers. Brian Greene
You and I, the people of God, have permission to come before the throne of Heaven at any time we will, and we are encouraged to come there with great boldness. Charles Spurgeon
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Andy planted the SALT Life Community church, is the Chaplain to the World Longboard Tour and is a well-published Surf Photographer and Writer with articles across multiple magazines and newspapers.