Here’s a little bit of information about myself. I am absolutely horrible when it comes to reading through the Bible in a year. It’s the truth. In my daily reading, if I discover a spiritual nugget, I park my attention there. Forget about a reading plan. I gladly forfeit gaining the Bible Reading Certificate at the end of the year.

Here’s my Bible modus operandi. When I see a powerful truth, I will begin to look at that verse or passage from different translations. I’ve learned over the years that each translation sheds a little different light on a word or phrase which adds to its richness. Next, I might spend time with word studies for keywords. Finally, I’ll add these insights to the margins of my Bible and also my computer Bible software. Needless to say, each and every day, I fall further and further behind in my Bible reading calendar. 

I’m sharing this “What Makes Billy Tick” insight so that I can pass along a few riches that I recently discovered. While reading through Acts again, I made note of the times that Luke recorded the boldness that comes from being Spirit baptized. Here are a few snippets from my margins. First, you will see the scripture from the King James Version, and then afterward the nuggets gained from other translations. Enjoy!

Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John…”
(New Century Version) “The leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak…”
(The Voice Bible) “…with extraordinary confidence.”

Acts 4:31 “…and they spake the word of God with boldness”
(Amplified Bible Classic) “…and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage.”
(Clarence Jordan Translation) “…And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and were telling God’s word like it is.”
(The Message Bible) “…They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence.”
(The Passion Translation) “…Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness.”

Acts 13:46 “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold…”
(Amplified Bible Classic)And Paul and Barnabas spoke out plainly and boldly…”
(English Heritage Version) “Then Paul and Barnabas responded fearlessly…”
(The Message Bible) “But Paul and Barnabas didn’t back down. Standing their ground they said…”
(Weymouth New Testament) “Then, throwing off all reserve, Paul and Barnabas said…”

Acts 14:3 “Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord…”
(Amplified Bible Classic) “…speaking freely and fearlessly and boldly in the Lord…”
(The Voice Bible) “…speaking with great confidence for the Lord.”