The Confidence That Comes From Jesus

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Boldness When It Matters – Acts 4:13-21

Dear Friends, Peter and John have just healed a man who had been lame from birth. The crowds are amazed, but the religious leaders are furious. They arrest the two apostles and bring them before the Sanhedrin — the same council that had condemned Jesus.

The rulers, elders, and teachers of the law are astonished. They see the courage of these ordinary, uneducated fishermen and realise they have been with Jesus. The healed man is standing right there with them — undeniable proof of what God has done.

They command Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus.

Peter’s reply is fearless and crystal clear:

“Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (vv.19-20)

The leaders threaten them, but they find no way to punish them because the people are praising God for the miracle. So they warn them again and let them go.

What stands out is the boldness of these ordinary men. They were not trained rabbis. They had no official status. Yet when it mattered most, they spoke with courage and clarity. Their boldness came from one simple fact — they had been with Jesus and were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Today, pause in the quiet.

We may not face a Sanhedrin, but we all face moments when we’re tempted to stay silent about our faith — at work, with friends, or even in our own families. Peter and John remind us that true boldness doesn’t come from having all the answers or being naturally confident. It comes from spending time with Jesus and being filled with the Spirit.

When we know Him personally, when we’ve seen what He has done in our lives, we find we “cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”


Point to Ponder: Boldness is not loudness — it is the quiet confidence that comes from knowing Jesus and refusing to deny what He has done.

Verse to Remember: “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20 NIV)

Question to Consider: This week, is there a situation where you feel tempted to stay silent about Jesus? Ask the Lord to give you the same boldness Peter and John had — not because you’re clever or brave, but because you have been with Him.

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church

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