Confidence in Christ

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 NASB

For many Christians the idea of sharing their faith is an intimidating experience. Over the years it has become increasingly confrontational in our political and cancel culture environment. Most likely the most controversial experiences occur when quoting Jesus’s own words found in the gospel of John when He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Jn.14:6 nasb) Jesus is stating as a matter of fact that He is the only way of salvation and eternal life with God the Father. He said it in confidence because it is true.

Peter and John, in the book of Acts, made a similar statement about Jesus. They were brought before the Jewish ruling body, the Sanhedrin, to answer by what power and name a cripple man had been healed. Peter and John wasted no time in claiming it was in Jesus’s power and name that the healing took place. Then added, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 nasb) Peter and John told the Jewish rulers that the Jesus they rejected is the only way to God and they spoke it in confidence.

The cultural climate in the days of the early church although different than ours, did possess some similarities. Many nations around them had other gods, and the Jewish leaders were stuck in their traditions.  All claimed they had the way to eternal life. Peter and John’s remarks went against the religious culture of their day, but it did not stop them from proclaiming Christ as the only way.

Christians today need to be encouraged by the confidence Peter and John had through the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Jesus promised us the helper, the Holy Spirit, would come. Every born-again Christian possesses the Holy Spirit to help us in the confidence needed in sharing our faith. Let us find our confidence in Christ and boldly speak the word.

Read: Acts 4:1-22 NASB – Peter and John Arrested – As they were – Bible Gateway