Acts 4:29 – “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”

Extended Explanation

This verse is part of a prayer from the early church after Peter and John had been released from questioning by the Sanhedrin. Instead of praying for safety, they asked God for boldness to continue preaching the gospel.

The phrase “consider their threats” shows that the believers were aware of the dangers they faced. The religious leaders had warned them not to speak about Jesus anymore (Acts 4:18), and they knew that worse persecution could come. Yet, they didn’t ask God to remove the threats—they simply asked Him to help them remain bold despite the danger.

By saying, “enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness,” they were asking God to fill them with courage so they wouldn’t be intimidated. This prayer shows their commitment to the mission of Jesus—they were willing to obey Him no matter the cost.

Historical Context

At this time, the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council) was becoming increasingly hostile toward the followers of Jesus. Peter and John had been arrested for healing a crippled man and preaching about Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 3:1-10).

The religious leaders could not deny the miracle, but they wanted to silence the apostles. Since they feared public backlash, they released Peter and John with a strict warning—but they also made it clear that future disobedience could lead to severe punishment or even death.

Instead of giving in to fear, the early church gathered together to pray. They recognized that the threats against them were real, but they also knew that God was greater than any opposition they faced.

Theological Implications

1. God’s people are called to boldness. The early church understood that fear should never silence the gospel. Instead of praying for protection, they prayed for courage to keep speaking the truth.
2. Prayer is our first response to opposition. When faced with threats, they didn’t rely on political strategies or personal strength—they turned to God.
3. God is the source of true boldness. They didn’t try to be brave in their own strength. Instead, they asked God to empower them to keep sharing His word.
4. Faithfulness to Jesus is more important than personal safety. The early Christians knew that following Jesus could cost them everything, but they still chose obedience over comfort.
5. God responds to prayers for boldness. Immediately after this prayer, God filled them with His Spirit, and they continued preaching boldly (Acts 4:31).

Literary Analysis

This verse is structured as a direct and urgent request to God.

• “Now, Lord” – This phrase expresses urgency. They were not just making a general prayer—they were crying out for immediate help.
• “Consider their threats” – They acknowledged the real danger they faced, but they didn’t let fear control them.
• “Enable your servants” – This shows their humility. They saw themselves as God’s servants, fully dependent on Him.
• “To speak your word with great boldness” – This is the central request of the prayer: they wanted to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Luke, the author of Acts, presents this prayer as a model for all believers—it teaches that we should pray for boldness instead of comfort.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 1:8 – Jesus told the disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses.” Their prayer in Acts 4:29 was a request for this power.
• Ephesians 6:19-20 – Paul also prayed for boldness to proclaim the gospel, even while in prison.
• Matthew 10:28 – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” The early church lived by this principle.
• 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
• Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This truth gave the early Christians confidence.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse challenges us to ask: Do we pray for boldness, or do we pray for comfort and safety?

Many Christians today live in cultures where sharing the gospel is unpopular—and in some places, it can even be dangerous. This verse reminds us that fear should not stop us from speaking about Jesus.

It also teaches us that boldness is not something we generate on our own—it comes from God. Just as the early believers prayed for courage, we too should ask God to fill us with His power so that we can stand firm in our faith, no matter the opposition.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in how He gives strength to His people when they need it most. The early church did not have to face persecution alone—God was with them, empowering them, and answering their prayers.

This verse also shows God’s desire for His Word to be spread. He is not silent—He wants the gospel to go out to all people, despite any resistance. Because of His great love for the world, He equips His servants to speak the truth boldly.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus set the example of boldness. He stood firm before Pilate, the Pharisees, and the crowds, never backing down from the truth.
• Jesus promised His followers that they would face persecution. In John 15:18-20, He said, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”
• Jesus gives His followers the Holy Spirit. The early church was praying for boldness, and Jesus had already promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower them (John 14:16-17).
• Jesus is worth any cost. The believers in Acts understood that following Jesus was more important than their personal safety. This is the same mindset that Jesus calls us to have today (Luke 9:23).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Do you pray for boldness, or do you pray for an easier life?
2. How can you grow in courage when it comes to sharing your faith?
3. What are some situations where you have felt hesitant to speak about Jesus? How can this verse encourage you?
4. How can we support and pray for believers around the world who face persecution?
5. What does this verse teach us about how we should respond when people oppose our faith?

Conclusion

Acts 4:29 is a powerful reminder that boldness in sharing the gospel is something we should pray for. The early church didn’t ask for the persecution to stop—they asked for the strength to remain faithful despite the persecution.

This is the kind of faith we are called to have today. No matter what opposition we face, we should pray that God would give us boldness to speak His word without fear. When we rely on His power, we can trust that He will equip us to do His will—just as He did for the early church.

May we have the same courage to proclaim Jesus boldly, no matter the cost!