Peter and John upset many people as they preached Christ and did miracles by the Spirit’s power. This is not surprising, of course, given that Jesus promised that His disciples would be persecuted (Matthew 5:11-12). When the leaders saw Peter’s and John’s faith and boldness, they saw something different – these weren’t petty criminals; they were men sent by God.

Though the authorities might have rejected Jesus as their Messiah, they could not accuse Peter and John of any wrongdoing. They instructed Peter and John to stop preaching the Gospel, but this would not sway the disciples. They expected persecution (we should, too!), but they did not allow persecution to derail their mission. In places all over the world today, people suffer cultural pressure and persecution in many ways. Still, they proclaim Jesus! We can take heart; God is with us.

Are you timid in sharing your faith? Why or why not?