Be Bold!

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

— Acts 2:38-39 (ESV)

“Behold! what a change divine grace will work in a man, and in how short a time. That same Peter, who so lately followed his master afar off, and with oaths and curses denied that he knew his name, is now to be found side by side with the loving John, boldly declaring that there is salvation in none other name save that of Jesus Christ… Their boldness could not therefore spring from the self-sufficiency of knowledge, but from the Spirit of the living God.”  — Charles Spurgeon

How did Peter go from a coward who denied Jesus three times to a bold proclaimer of the Gospel in the face of opposition? 

He was empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Just one chapter earlier, Jesus had promised: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, everything changed. Peter stood up and preached fearlessly, leading to thousands coming to Christ.

I’ve seen this same transformation in my own life. When I first got saved, I was on fire for Jesus. Nothing else mattered. I boldly shared the Gospel in the workplace and on college campuses. But over time, I realized something: I leak. The boldness and passion fade if I don’t stay filled with the Holy Spirit.

That’s why I’ve learned to come back to the Lord daily—especially before I have to speak in front of people. I get nervous every single time… until I sit quietly before Him and ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and His boldness. He never disappoints.

We need the power of the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses for Christ. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 ends with this promise: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus is with us, but He also wants to fill us with His Spirit so we can represent Him well.

So here’s my encouragement to you today: Get filled with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him for fresh power and boldness. Then go out into your workplace, your campus, your neighborhood—wherever God has placed you—and be a bold witness for Jesus.

Have a great day! 

Go be bold!