The Boldness of Common Men

Acts 4 begins with Peter and John preaching before the people. As they were doing so, the priests and other leaders of the temple became “greatly annoyed” (v. 2) because they were preaching about Jesus’s resurrection. They were so annoyed that they arrested Peter and John.

The next day the rulers, scribes, and elders came together and asked Peter and John, “By what power or by what name did you do this” (v. 5)? Peter then replied by saying, essentially, it’s by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the name of Jesus Christ. And this is the passage where Peter boldly — which is a key word for today’s blog! — proclaims that Jesus is the only way of salvation in Acts 4:12, “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.”

It’s the next verse that struck me. The leaders noticed how bold Peter and John were, and understood that they were “uneducated, common men” (v. 13).

Friend, God can use anyone to proclaim his message. There is a boldness that comes when we share the Word to the masses, and that comes directly from the Lord. This is why Scripture tells us not to be concerned about lofty speech or our own wisdom (1 Cor. 2:1). Even further, our message stems not from “plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:4).

God doesn’t need to save eloquent speakers or intelligent people. He uses even those considered to be uneducated. This is why we don’t rely on our intellect or wisdom or own thoughts when sharing the good news, but should rely fully on the Holy Spirit to give the words he’d want us to use. We decrease, God increases. We get out of the way. Even if we’re “uneducated, common men” we can still be used by God to share the good news.

So don’t be intimidated, friend. Don’t worry if you feel uneducated or “common.” If you are in the Word, God will give you the words to speak! Rely on the Spirit to give you the right words to say, and proclaim the good news to a lost and dying world. There is a supernatural boldness we receive via the Spirit regardless of how naturally intelligent we appear to be; the boldness to proclaim that sinners need a Savior; the boldness to preach that we need to repent of our sinful ways and believe the gospel; the boldness to share that Christ lived a sinless life, was crucified, and rose again on the third day; the boldness to proclaim that that’s the only way man can be saved.

We just need to be willing to be used by the Lord and let him be sovereign.