FEBRUARY 21, 2024
Topic: BE BOLD TO PREACH THE WORD
Text: Acts 4: 19 – 31
Memory Verse: “ “And when they had prayed, the place where they were
assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” Acts 4: 31
After healing the lame man at the gate of the Temple called Beautiful, Peter and John were arrested by the Jewish leaders and were reprimanded and commanded not to speak to anyone again in the name of Jesus.
In other words, they banned the preaching of the gospel to the poor because of their selfishness and jealousy. However, the Apostle Peter was bold and declared to them that they should judge amongst them whether it was right to obey them (i.e. the leaders) or God.
When they were released, they went back to their company and reported what had been done to them, and then with one accord they lifted up their voices to God asking for boldness to preach the word of God. They asked that the Lord would grant them power to perform signs and miracles as the word of God was preached.
The Lord answered their prayers by filling them afresh with the Holy Spirit, signifying that all the power they needed was available to them as long as the presence of the Lord
was with them in the person of the Holy Spirit.
The place where they met was shaken as the Holy Spirit descended upon them making them realize physically what had happened to them spiritually with the in-filling of the Holy Spirit, that is, the power of God was available to them and they were filled with the boldness to preach the gospel, thus, winning more souls to the Lord.
With the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, the power of God is available to us.
Prayer: Father, fill me afresh with the Holy Spirit that I may be bold to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.