Boldness

For the next few weeks, I am studying Acts. This morning I was in chapters 3 & 4. I was struck by the boldness of the early church and the complete indifference of the Pharisees. One day Peter and John heal a crippled beggar. The Pharisees admit that they know a miracle has been performed and yet the best defense they could come up with was to tell Peter and John to stop talking about Jesus. Like if they would just shut up, this would all go away! Then, in chapter 4 verse 29, the people of the early church were led to pray for boldness, because of the Pharisees threats! Get threatened, speak louder! Man, I want that kind of heart. I think of martyrs and persecuted Christians all over the world. China, Burma, the Philippines, North Korea; persecution makes them stronger!!!! Why do we work so hard to avoid something that will make us stronger? I am tired of hiding.