Topical Bible: Courage: Personal Bravery: Peter and Other Disciples

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Courage, as demonstrated by Peter and the other disciples, is a recurring theme in the New Testament, showcasing their personal bravery in the face of persecution, fear, and uncertainty. This courage is not merely a natural disposition but is often portrayed as a result of their faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Peter's Courage

Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is a prominent example of personal bravery. Despite his initial moments of fear and denial, Peter's transformation into a bold proclaimer of the Gospel is a testament to the power of faith and the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2, after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter stands up with the eleven and addresses the crowd with boldness, declaring the resurrection of Jesus Christ: "Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know" (Acts 2:22).

Peter's courage is further exemplified in Acts 4, where he and John are brought before the Sanhedrin. Despite the threat of imprisonment, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks boldly: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed, then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed" (Acts 4:8-10).

Other Disciples' Courage

The courage of the other disciples is also noteworthy. In Acts 5, the apostles are arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for preaching in the name of Jesus. Despite being flogged and ordered not to speak in His name, they rejoice for being counted worthy to suffer for the Name and continue to teach and proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Messiah (Acts 5:40-42).

Stephen, though not one of the original twelve, is another example of courage among the early followers of Christ. In Acts 7, Stephen delivers a powerful speech before the Sanhedrin, boldly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel and rebuking the religious leaders for their resistance to the Holy Spirit. His courage in the face of imminent death is evident as he declares, "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56), moments before being stoned.

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit

The courage displayed by Peter and the other disciples is consistently linked to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had promised His followers that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8), and this promise is fulfilled as they speak and act with boldness and conviction. Their bravery is not rooted in human strength but in divine empowerment, enabling them to face persecution and adversity with unwavering faith.

Conclusion

The personal bravery of Peter and the other disciples serves as an enduring example of courage in the Christian faith. Their willingness to stand firm in their beliefs, despite the risks and consequences, highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the profound impact of faith in Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 3:12-26
And when Peter saw it, he answered to the people, You men of Israel, why marvel you at this? or why look you so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
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Acts 4:9-13,19,20,31
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the weak man, by what means he is made whole;
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Library

Peter's Denial and Repentance.
... And if Peter's true bravery and promptitude were to serve ... and yet he has not moral
courage to break ... of Christ, even the existence of a personal God, because by ...
/.../xviii peters denial and repentance.htm

Introduction
... of this book betokens the personal attractiveness of ... to insignificance by this
incomparable courage of Christ. ... in God, such sympathy, such bravery, are surely ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/introduction.htm

Joseph of Arimathea
... If Joseph required bravery on the council, he needed ... on they went, with faith and
courage, and when ... class thinking on the subject of personal responsibility to ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/joseph of arimathea.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... Peter, 1884; Preuschen, Analecta, I, 32 ... Osrhoene and the cities there; and a personal
letter of ... are no bishops, priests, or deacons, other disciples are called. ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The Life of S. Hilarion.
... of victory like a hero who has proved his bravery. ... 4. His courage and tender years
would have been a ... Constantius whose golden hair and personal beauty revealed ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of s hilarion.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... Were they directed by courage, but not by prudence, or ... it is to be associated with
any other of my ... For faith, and not personal importance, is the distinctive ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... treatment, [2584] and shew our bravery by struggling ... me, you men of exceeding courage,
when these ... are distinguished not according to personal character, but by ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... In this he took an active personal part ... is also in my heart that we see each other,
if God ... famous nation of the Goths, esteemed for their real bravery by nearly ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

The Holy War,
... vivid narration of the fall of man, our personal feelings are ... a soul which is not
imbued with courage furnished by ... had appointed, and that for ever (2 Peter 2:4 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... and misgovernment, were the piety and stern morality of the Puritans, Nonconformists,
and the small classes of virtuous citizens of other denominations; and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm