The resurrection of Jesus Christ transformed the disciples from fearful to bold.
Les Feldick points to the resurrection as the one thing that changed the total attitude of the eleven disciples. Before it they scattered in fear at the crucifixion, but after it Peter and the others stood boldly before Rome and the Jews. The resurrection power they witnessed made them afraid of nothing.
Acts 2:32 — Peter's post-resurrection sermon declares that God raised Jesus—the event that changed the disciples.
Acts 4:13 — The rulers themselves saw the boldness of Peter and John, showing the transformation after the resurrection.
After the resurrection, Scripture records a dramatic change in the disciples. In Acts 2:32, Peter boldly declares, 'This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.' This is not a frightened man; this is a man publicly testifying to the resurrection before the people of Jerusalem. Acts 4:13 shows that the religious leaders themselves 'saw the boldness of Peter and John' and recognized 'that they had been with Jesus.' The biblical record sets the resurrection as the event after which the disciples' fear was replaced by boldness.
Les Feldick emphasizes repeatedly that the one thing that changed the total attitude of the eleven disciples was the resurrection. At the crucifixion they scattered 'like a bunch of little chicks' or 'a flock of quail,' Peter collapsed and denied the Lord with an oath, and they all ran for their lives. After the resurrection, Peter never kowtowed again; he stood up to Rome and to the Jews, and the eleven apostles faced martyrdom without fear. Les says this change proves the resurrection: the same men who were scared to death became afraid of nothing. He also draws a parallel to believers today—since Christ was raised, nothing can touch our eternal, immortal part.
Les Feldick describes the eleven disciples at the time of Jesus' arrest and crucifixion as scattered 'like a bunch of little chicks' or 'a flock of quail,' running for their lives. Peter collapsed and denied the Lord, swearing with an oath that he never knew Jesus. They were fearful for their own lives.
Les calls the change of attitude in those eleven men one of the greatest proofs of the resurrection. Acts 4:13 records that the rulers 'saw the boldness of Peter and John.' He says that if anything proved the resurrection, it was the change in those men, from scared disciples to witnesses who stood before the Sanhedrin.
Les Feldick teaches that after the resurrection the disciples understood that nothing could touch their eternal part. Because Christ had been raised, they would be raised too. He applies this to believers today: we do not have to worry about what men can do to this body, since the invisible, immortal part will one day be resurrected.
Les insists the resurrection is the bedrock of the Gospel. It is not enough to believe Jesus was a good man or that He died by crucifixion—the resurrection is essential. Romans 1:4 says Jesus was 'declared to be the Son of God with power... by the resurrection from the dead.'
Why the Temple Veil Tore — Matthew 27 Explained
just a plain old wooden floor and wooden student desks. And he said, you know, Les, he said, there's sweeter fellowship in this college classroom than I've ever enjoyed even in my own church. And he said, I love my church, I love my pastor. But he said, we just don't have the fellowship that we have in these classes.
The Resurrection Changed the Disciples' Attitude
Les teaches that the resurrection alone changed the total attitude of the eleven disciples—Peter never again denied Christ but stood up to Rome, and the apostles were martyred without fear.
Resurrection Power Is the Bedrock of the Gospel
Les teaches that after seeing the power of resurrection, Peter feared no one, and this same resurrection power is the essential bedrock of the Gospel—not merely Jesus' goodness or crucifixion.
The Change of Attitude Proves the Resurrection
Les points to Acts 4:13—the boldness of Peter and John—as proof of the resurrection, since these same men had scattered in fear at the crucifixion.
From Denial to Fearless Witness
Les contrasts Peter's three denials out of fear with his post-resurrection readiness to face persecution, because resurrection power was in his future.
Resurrection Removes Fear of Death
Les teaches that after the resurrection the disciples understood that nothing could touch their eternal part, because if Christ was raised, they would be raised too.
Peter Himself Proves the Resurrection
Les calls Peter himself one of the greatest proofs of the resurrection—after the resurrection the disciples had a boldness no one could shake.
Resurrection Power for Salvation and Hope
Les teaches that the power of resurrection gives believers hope, first in salvation—being quickened from deadness in trespasses and sins—and in the resurrection to come.
Acts 2:32: This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Peter's declaration of the resurrection in his Pentecost sermon, after which the disciples show new boldness.
Acts 4:13: Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Luke records the boldness of Peter and John before the rulers, evidence of the transformed disciples.
Romans 1:4: And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Paul describes Jesus as declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ. Les Feldick says the resurrection alone changed the total attitude of the eleven disciples, turning men who scattered in fear into men who stood up to Rome and faced death without fear.
No. After witnessing the power of the resurrection, Peter was no longer afraid of Rome or the Jews. The same man who denied Christ to a young maid later stood boldly before rulers.
Les Feldick says the change of attitude in those eleven men is one of the greatest proofs of the resurrection. The men who were scared to death at the crucifixion became bold witnesses who could not be shaken.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Temple Veil Tore — Matthew 27 Explained