Topical Encyclopedia The early Christian apostles exemplified remarkable courage and personal bravery in the face of intense persecution. Their steadfastness in proclaiming the Gospel, despite threats to their lives, serves as a profound testament to their faith and commitment to Christ.Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin In the Book of Acts, Peter and John are arrested for preaching about Jesus and healing in His name. Brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, they are questioned about their authority. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declares, "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). Despite being threatened and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, Peter and John respond with unwavering courage, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). Stephen, the First Martyr Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early church, displayed extraordinary bravery as he faced persecution. Accused of blasphemy, Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin. In his defense, he delivers a powerful speech recounting Israel's history and accusing the Jewish leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit. His words provoke the council, and they drag him out of the city to stone him. As he is being stoned, Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazes into heaven and sees the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He cries out, "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). Even in his final moments, Stephen prays for his persecutors, saying, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). Paul's Perseverance The Apostle Paul, formerly a persecutor of Christians, became one of the most courageous proponents of the faith. Throughout his ministry, Paul faced numerous hardships, including beatings, imprisonment, and shipwrecks. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he recounts his sufferings: "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea" (2 Corinthians 11:24-25). Despite these trials, Paul remained resolute in his mission to spread the Gospel. In his letter to the Philippians, he writes, "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness, so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death" (Philippians 1:20). The Apostles' Unyielding Faith The apostles' courage under persecution was rooted in their unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. They understood that their earthly sufferings were temporary and that their ultimate reward was eternal. In Acts 5, after being flogged for preaching in Jesus' name, the apostles left the Sanhedrin "rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41). Their bravery inspired the early church and continues to serve as a powerful example for believers facing persecution today. Nave's Topical Index Acts 5:21,29-32And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. Nave's Topical Index Library Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ... Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ... The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, Resources What does the Bible say about assertiveness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the doctrine of the mean? | GotQuestions.org Who was Annas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Courage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Courage: Enjoined by Jehoshaphat Upon the Judicial and Executive officers be Appointed Courage: Ezra, in Undertaking the Perilous Journey from Babylon to Palestine Without a Guard Courage: Personal Bravery in Entering Into the Tent of Saul, and Carrying Away Saul's Spear Courage: Personal Bravery: Agag, in the Indifference With Which he Faced Death Courage: Personal Bravery: David, in Killing Goliath Courage: Personal Bravery: David's Captains Courage: Personal Bravery: Deborah, in Leading Israel's Armies Courage: Personal Bravery: Esther, in Going to the King to Save Her People Courage: Personal Bravery: Jael, in Killing Sisera Courage: Personal Bravery: Joab, in Reproving King David Courage: Personal Bravery: Joseph of Arimathaea, in Caring for the Body of Jesus Courage: Personal Bravery: Joshua and Caleb, in Advising That Israel Go at Once and Possess the Land Courage: Personal Bravery: Nehemiah, in Refusing to Take Refuge in the Temple Courage: Personal Bravery: Othniel, in Striking Kirjath-Sepher Courage: Personal Bravery: Peter and Other Disciples Courage: Personal Bravery: The Apostles, Under Persecution Courage: Personal Bravery: Thomas, in Being Willing to Die With Jesus Courage: Scriptures Relating To Courage: The Courage of Conviction in offering Isaac Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Abraham, in Leaving his Fatherland Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Gideon, in Destroying the Altar of Baal Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Peter and John, in Refusing to Obey Men, Rather than God Courage: The Courage of Conviction: The Jews, in Returning Answer to Tatnai Related Terms |