The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode: Day 325 – Boldness in Faith (2025)
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Scripture Readings:
- Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 4
- Romans, Chapters 6 & 7
- Proverbs 27:4-6
Overview of the Episode
This episode centers on the theme of boldness in faith, especially as demonstrated by the apostles in the early Church. Fr. Mike walks listeners through Acts 4—where Peter and John stand courageously before the Jewish council—and explores the deep struggles and spiritual realities described in Romans 6 and 7, culminating in reflections about the ongoing battle between good and evil within the Christian heart. The episode concludes with encouragement to rely on God's grace, embrace boldness, and live as transformed people.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Acts 4: Boldness Before Opposition
(05:40 – 18:30)
- Setting: Peter and John heal a crippled man in Jesus’ name and are arrested for preaching the resurrection, which annoys the Sadducees—who reject the resurrection of the dead.
- Key Event: Standing before the Sanhedrin (Jewish council), Peter and John boldly proclaim Jesus as the risen Messiah and source of salvation.
- “By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well... There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12, discussed at 10:30)
- Transformation: Peter, once fearful and denying Jesus during the Lord’s trial, now testifies with boldness—highlighting the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
- Public Perception: The council is astonished by Peter and John’s confidence, recognizing them as “uneducated, common men” changed because they had “been with Jesus.”
- “If we’ve been with Jesus, we should look different… we should look like him.” (Fr. Mike, 13:00)
- Unstoppable Faith: Even when threatened, the apostles refuse to stop speaking about Jesus.
- “You can’t stop someone who’s already dead... Peter and John have already died to themselves out of love for Jesus Christ.” (Fr. Mike, 16:30)
- Community Prayer: Rather than asking for safety, the Christian community prays for boldness and the continuation of God’s miraculous works.
- “Do not pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength to face life… Pray for boldness.” (Fr. Mike, 18:05)
2. Romans 6 & 7: Dying to Sin, Living in Grace, Struggling Within
(18:35 – 34:10)
- Dying and Rising with Christ: Paul explains that Christians, through baptism, die to sin and rise to new life in Christ.
- “Our former man was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.” (Romans 6:6, discussed at 22:40)
- Fr. Mike reflects on the need to truly “let the old man die”—not just to battle sin, but to allow total transformation.
- “Sometimes we would rather just torture the old man… than actually let him die.” (Fr. Mike, 24:20)
- Freedom from Sin, Not Freedom to Sin: Paul anticipates misunderstandings about grace—clarifying that being set free from the law is not permission to keep sinning; instead, believers are called to be slaves of righteousness.
- “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!” (Romans 6:1, discussed at 21:55)
- The Interior Battle: Romans 7 powerfully describes the experience of wanting to do good but struggling with ongoing sin—the genuine war within every Christian.
- “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate... Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:15, 24-25, discussed at 30:25)
- Understanding “the Flesh”: Paul’s reference to “the flesh” means our fallen human nature, not our physical bodies.
- “When St. Paul says ‘the flesh,’ he means fallen human nature—not that bodies are bad, but that part of us resisting good.” (Fr. Mike, 28:50)
- Recognition and Hope: Paul’s honesty resonates deeply; even amidst messiness, he models gratitude for God’s rescue.
- “In the middle of the mess, praise God for his presence and for what he’s doing.” (Fr. Mike, 32:30)
3. Proverbs 27:4-6: True Friendship
(34:15 – 35:10)
- Short reflection on Proverbs, focusing on the value of honest correction from real friends:
- “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:5-6, discussed at 34:50)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Boldness and Transformation:
- “The key word in Acts 4 is boldness… and that boldness isn’t their own; it’s because they’ve been with Jesus.” (Fr. Mike, 12:35)
- On Living the Resurrection:
- “If we’ve been with Jesus, we should look different… that’s the key, that’s the core.” (Fr. Mike, 13:00)
- On Christian Prayer in Crisis:
- “They don’t pray for safety, but for boldness in the face of danger—this is the secret of the saints.” (Fr. Mike, 18:05)
- On Grace and Sin:
- “Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more… but don’t go looking for sin just to get more grace.” (Fr. Mike, 22:15)
- On Inner Conflict:
- “I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand… at least you understand me, God. So does St. Paul.” (Fr. Mike, 29:45)
- “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord… that’s the key—in the middle of the mess, praise God.” (Fr. Mike, 32:30)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 05:40 – Beginning of Acts 4 reflection: Peter and John’s boldness, council’s annoyance
- 10:30 – Peter’s declaration: No other name by which we are saved
- 13:00 – On being recognized as those “who have been with Jesus”
- 16:30 – On dying to self: “You can’t threaten someone who’s already dead”
- 18:05 – The community prays for boldness, not safety
- 21:55 – Romans 6: “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”
- 24:20 – The metaphor of “torturing” vs. letting the old self die
- 28:50 – Meaning of “the flesh” in Paul’s writings
- 30:25 – The authenticity of spiritual struggle; “wretched man that I am”
- 32:30 – Praising God in the midst of internal messiness
- 34:50 – Proverbs on honest friendship and correction
Conclusion
Fr. Mike encourages listeners to embrace the same boldness as the apostles—not by praying for an easy life, but by seeking the strength and courage that come from God’s presence. He reminds us that transformation comes through being “with Jesus,” trusting in God’s grace even when we fail, and living out our faith with courage and authenticity.
Host’s Sign-off:
“I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (35:10)