Ep. 272. Acts 3-4 | The Boldness of Peter

EPISODE 272

THE BOLDNESS OF PETER: ACTS 3-4a

Remember when Peter denied three times that he knew Jesus? That was just fifty days before this chapter. Remember when Peter ran to the tomb and found it empty but wasn't sure what that meant? That was about 47 days before this moment. Remember when Peter decided to go fishing with his buddies, talked with Jesus on the beach, and admitted that he only loved Jesus like a close friend or a brother? That was about 40 days, give or take, prior to this. Remember when the disciples stood staring up into the sky, wondering where Jesus had gone? That was about ten days before this moment.

What changed?

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit now. That's the difference. It grieves me when I see "Christians" compare themselves to Peter's worst moments and then justify themselves by saying, "Even Peter denied Jesus." No! Christian Peter DID NOT deny Jesus. Pre Holy Spirit, Peter denied Jesus.

Maybe our lives aren't lived boldly for Christ because we aren't actually saved; we don't actually have the Holy Spirit. Maybe someone finds it possible, or in some cases easy, to deny Christ because they never knew him in the first place. We've got to quit pretending that the Spirit doesn't have a dynamic impact on those whom he indwells.

The Peter after receiving the Holy Spirit is markedly different from the Peter before receiving the Spirit. How is it possible that we can come to "know" Jesus and not be changed? Short answer: It isn't possible. Even the threat of arrest or beatings can't deter Peter now from boldly proclaiming Jesus. The Spirit in Peter has made him a new man; the old things have passed away.

ADDITIONAL READING: Deuteronomy 18:15; Genesis 12:3; Psalm 118:22