Be Bold For The Lord

Look at Peter's response when they throw him in jail because the masses were hearing the Gospel and giving their life to Jesus. They cross examine him about the man that was healed:

Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
11 This is the 'STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.'
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Jesus made this clear in John 14:6
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Why is the Gospel so offensive? Because it speaks of absolute Truth, not relative truth. It is NOT all inclusive like the universalist would have you believe. If it was, why are people imprisoned and killed for preaching The Gospel?

How should we respond when we are told to shut up about it?

Acts 4:17-20 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name."
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Also....

What do we need to be praying for? BOLDNESS!

Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

Look how God honored that prayer:
Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

The place shook!

They were filled with the Holy Spirit! (another indicator of the receiving and filling of the Holy Spirit being 2 separate events)

They spoke boldly!