Before Christianity became a religion, it was a risk. Following Jesus didn’t come with popularity, praise, or protection, it came with opposition. In Acts 4:1–22, we see Peter and John arrested not for doing something wrong, but for doing something right: healing a man and preaching the name of Jesus. Their boldness didn’t start with courage; it started with conviction.
These were the same men who had once run in fear. Peter denied Jesus three times. But after the Holy Spirit came (Acts 2), they were no longer afraid. They had encountered the risen Christ, and that encounter changed everything. They could no longer stay silent. When threatened, they said: “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20 ESV). Opposition didn’t stop them, it clarified them. It revealed where their loyalty truly was. And it showed the world that Jesus wasn’t just a story; He was a Savior who transforms lives.
Jesus had already warned His disciples this would happen: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10 ESV). He didn’t promise ease; He promised presence. He didn’t say everyone would understand; He said He would never leave. That’s the kind of faith that makes people curious and sometimes angry. For young people today, opposition might not come from rulers or councils, but it often comes from classmates, online spaces, or even friends. You might get called “too churchy” or feel pressure to stay quiet about your faith. But following Jesus means walking in truth even when it’s uncomfortable. Not to prove a point, but to live from a place of love and conviction.
You don’t have to fake confidence. Boldness isn’t about being loud, it’s about being grounded in Jesus. The Holy Spirit gave Peter and John courage, and that same Spirit lives in you. He empowers you to speak, stand, and stay faithful, even when it’s hard. The early Church didn’t grow because they blended in; they grew because they believed boldly. They lived like Jesus mattered and people noticed.
So when you face opposition, remember:
You’re not weird — you’re walking the narrow road.
You’re not alone — you’re filled with power.
You’re not failing — you’re being formed.
Jesus never said it would be easy. But He did say it would be worth it. And He promised that those who stand for Him now will shine with Him forever.
“Let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16) even when it’s not popular. Because sometimes, the greatest witness is simply staying faithful in the face of pressure. You were never meant to blend in. You were made to stand out, in love, in truth, in faith.
Acts 4:1–22 (ESV)
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
Matthew 5:10–12 (ESV)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Bible Study Questions
1. Faith Doesn’t Always Make Life Easier, It Makes Us Stronger
When Peter and John were arrested for healing a man and preaching about Jesus, they didn’t panic or water down the message. Instead, they spoke boldly and clearly about Christ. The Holy Spirit gave them strength to keep going, even when it was risky. Sometimes we think following Jesus should make life smoother but in Scripture, faith often leads to pressure. Yet God promises that He is with us in it. Are we willing to stand firm when our faith costs us comfort or reputation?
Acts 4:18–20
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
2. The Spirit Gives Us Courage, Not Just Words
Before Pentecost, Peter was the one who denied Jesus out of fear. But now, filled with the Holy Spirit, he stands before powerful leaders with boldness. This shows us that courage in the Christian life doesn’t come from personality, it comes from the Holy Spirit. God equips us when we lean into Him. Are we asking the Spirit to give us courage when it’s hard to live for Jesus?
Acts 4:8
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…”2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
3. Persecution Is Part of Following Jesus
Jesus never said we’d be popular for following Him. In fact, He said people would insult us, exclude us, or even hate us because of Him. But instead of shrinking back, He tells us to rejoice, not because it’s easy, but because we’re living for something eternal. Are we ready to accept the hard parts of faith, trusting that God sees, rewards, and strengthens us?
Matthew 5:10–12
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake… Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”1 Peter 4:14
“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
4. Boldness Comes from Knowing Jesus Personally
Peter and John were described as “unschooled, ordinary men” but people could tell they had been with Jesus. That closeness with Christ made them different. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more confident and rooted we become. Not because of religion, but relationship. Does your life show that you’ve “been with Jesus”?
Acts 4:13
“...they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from me you can do nothing.”
5. Our Faith Can Point Others to Jesus
Even though Peter and John were threatened, their faith made an impact. The man who was healed stood beside them, and the leaders had nothing to say in response. When we stand firm in love and truth, God uses it to soften hearts and open eyes. You may not always see the results immediately, but faith lived out with conviction can change lives. How might God use your faith to speak to someone else?
Acts 4:14
“Seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.”Philippians 1:27–28
“Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel… not frightened in anything by your opponents.”
Ephesians 3:14–21 (ESV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.