What comes to mind when you hear the word bold? Maybe you think of a specific friend, or perhaps a historical figure known for their bold stance on a topic? Despite our preconceived thoughts about what it means to be bold, every single one of us is called to display a different kind of boldness for the Gospel. It may seem as though there are certain personalities that gravitate towards boldness, but true boldness for Christ is given to all who seek it through the Holy Spirit. Not long before these miracles took place in the book of Acts, Peter had denied his closest friend and savior three times; he withdrew and became filled with fear. Boldness for Jesus wasn’t reliant on Peter’s flesh, he had to ask the Lord to enable him with great boldness despite resistance from the world around him.
These verses show us how much the Lord desires to empower us, and give us good gifts to share his Gospel. When we wholeheartedly seek his help as we proclaim his name boldly, he enables us to do incredible things through the power of the Holy Spirit. Meeting spaces that are incapable of possessing breath on their own shake at the mighty power of Jesus. Signs and wonders occur, miracles take place, and dead things come to life by the power of God. Friends, my prayer for us today is that we would fully submit ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit. His grace is made new every morning; everyday is a fresh start to become bold in our faith. May we wholly become empty vessels that desire to be filled with the boldness of Jesus today.