Acts 4:13 (NKJV): Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
The word 'boldness' here is 'par-rhesia' in Greek, and it means 'confidence, both in spirit and in demeanor (behavior/conduct)'. This kind of confidence mentioned here is supernatural, and it comes from God. It is birthed forth when one has a deep communion with Jesus (who is the Word of God).
The rulers, elders, scribes and priests of those days saw such boldness in Peter and John, and they marveled. After all, as far as they knew, Peter and John were mere fishermen, 'uneducated and untrained men' in every sense of the word, especially regarding the law and scriptures!
Yet they could not deny that Peter had just recently preached a powerful sermon (Acts 2:14-40), and many who heard him had gladly received his word and were baptized (Acts 2:41). Neither could they deny that a notable miracle had just happened through Peter and John, and this man born lame was instantly healed! (Acts 3:1-10)
Acts 4:14-17 (NKJV) says, 'And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them (Peter and John) to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, "What shall we do to these men? For indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name (i.e. the name of Jesus)."'
So they called Peter and John out and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:18-20)
You see, nothing could stop them from speaking (and keep speaking) the things which they have seen and heard. Not even an arrest, or a severe threat against them. Because they had a conviction that could not be shaken. This conviction came from the revelation of who Jesus is in their lives. Remember in Matthew 16:13-16, Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" They answered, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus then responded, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19)
The names Peter and John here are very prophetic of our times today. 'Peter' simply means 'a piece of rock', and 'John' can mean 'the grace of God' or 'the favor of God'. Also, John was that very person who leaned on Jesus' bosom, one who was very close to Jesus, and one whom Jesus loved (John 13:23). Indeed, you too are 'a piece of rock', founded in Him who is 'the solid rock', 'the mass of rock'. And you too are 'the beloved of God', and the grace and favor of God is with you.
So now you can see why the rulers, elders, scribes and priests of those days marveled at Peter and John. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. They had a boldness that came from the revelation of who Jesus is, and what He had spoken for them to be (and to do)!
People of God, the same it is for you and I (the believers) today. This boldness is birthed forth from a time of deep communion with Jesus (who is the Word of God). That's why it is so important to have an exclusive time with the Word of God each day. And when the Lord has spoken specifically for you to do a certain thing, you will know, and He will also give you the boldness to do it. Mind you, it is not a 'blind boldness' or a 'dare-devil boldness'. It is not something you conjure up. But it is an ability and supply from on high. You know it isn't you (or of your own doing). It is supernatural. There will be a deep conviction ('you know that you know') and there will be faith arising in you.
Ephesians 3:11-12 (NKJV) says, '...according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness (same word 'par-rhesia' as in Acts 4:13) and access with confidence through faith in Him'.
I heard and then released these words to the congregation last Sunday:
"This is a time to receive the boldness to look ahead and to look forward! The boldness to walk in My will, no matter what! The boldness to be who I have called you to be, and the boldness to do what I have called you to do! This boldness is birthed forth from a deep communion with Me!"
I pray that you too shall receive the boldness from on high to look ahead and to look forward! The boldness to continue to walk in His will, no matter what, and no matter what people say against you! The boldness to be who God has called you to be, and to do what God has called you to do! His grace (ability, supply) is more than enough for you, and if God is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31)
