Acts 4:13 says - "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John..."
Acts 4:29 says - "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word."
Acts 4:31 says - "...and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
Acts 9:27 says - "...how he had seen the Lord in the way... and how he had preached boldly..."
Acts 9:29 says - "And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus..."
2 Corinthians 3:12 says - "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech."
Philippians 1:20 says - "...that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness...so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body..."
What the Church needs more than ever is boldness - boldness to speak "as they ought to speak" (Ephesians 6:20).
What we - as individual believers - need is the boldness that -
...is evident to all
...is given by the Lord in answer to earnest prayer
...comes as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit
...results from having a revelation of Jesus in one's life
...causes us to use "great plainness of speech"
...and brings honor to Christ.
We must not allow anything to stand in our way of speaking the Truth for God.
The sinner is bolder than ever in his blatant sin - and getting bolder every minute.
The Church cannot and must not cower or hide.
We must not allow any form of criticism or confrontation to stop us. Instead, we should allow the Holy Spirit to turn it all into more fuel for our fiery zeal.
Matthew Henry said it in this way - "Suffering in a good cause should rather sharpen than blunt the edge of holy resolution."
Oh Saints of God! It's time like never before to sharpen the edge of our sword!
Let's be determined to speak the truth and stand for righteousness against the floodgates of Hell - no matter who likes it or is offended!
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary had this to say on this issue - "Even a simple criticism or a disgusting look can pour cold water on our witnessing. May God help us to tell the good news of God in Christ in spite of the persecution we encounter."
Acts 13:46 tells us - "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold..."
The verse before this one relates how the Jews - seeing the multitudes receiving the word of God - "were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming."
How did Paul and Barnabas react? Did they run off in fear...use wisdom and try another method...apologize for upsetting the Jews...or quit the ministry?
No! The Scripture tells us that they "waxed bold..." In other words, they spoke out boldly...resorted to open, fearless preaching...and used great liberty of speech - strong persuasive and overpowering words. They were neither terrified by the Jews' strife nor moved by their resistance.
In Acts 14:3, we read - "Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord..."
The preceding verses related how "...a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren" (Acts 14:1-2).
Did Satan's opposition run Paul and Barnabas off? Absolutely not! In spite of it all, God was moving mightily - souls were being saved and the saints were being edified. Consequently, they continued there a "long time."
What animated them to press through in spite of the strife? What kept them from withdrawing? What - or should we say - Who enabled them to be so aggressive?
Acts 14:3 gives the answer - "...they speaking boldly in the Lord..."
By His Name and authority, these two "Warriors for Christ" were able to move onward in their assignment from Heaven.
How is it that Paul could be so bold for the Lord?
Ephesians 6:18-20 offers one explanation - "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit...And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
He was fully aware of his need for boldness. Therefore, he asked the saints to pray for him that he would be able to express himself in a suitable manner - to deliver the whole counsel of God without fear, shame, or partiality. Here he was an "ambassador" sent to proclaim a message for the Lord - yet he was "in bonds" - his hands and feet were bound together. In spite of these conditions, he did not keep silent nor turn away from his calling to preach. Instead, he asked for prayer that he would be able to speak out openly, plainly, and "boldly" "as he ought" - even while in prison.
Another reason why he was so bold can be found in 1 Thessalonians 2:2 - "But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention."
Do you recall what happened at Philippi? It was here where Paul and Silas were beaten with many stripes, "cast...into prison" - "the inner prison" - with their "feet fast in the stocks" (Acts 16:23-24).
What was their response to such abuse or cruelty?
"...we were bold in our God..." - The ground of their boldness was the fact that God was their God. Their confidence was not rooted in their own strength. He and He alone was the source of their courage and the initiator of their mission and message. He was the energizing power behind their work.
That explains why it did not stop or could not be deterred in any way, shape, or form due to mistreatment or brutality.
These two servants of the Lord were constantly surrounded by enemies. They were continuously faced with opposition and even great danger at times - "we suffered... were shamefully entreated..." Yet they remained resolute in their cause - "...we were bold in our God..."
Lastly, in 1 Thessalonians 2:3, we find an explicit cause for Paul's boldness (even in spite of the contention and great agony which he suffered while laboring for the Lord) which says - "For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile."
Paul's boldness came as a result of his holy walk with the Lord. This was manifested in his preaching which was without "deceit," "uncleanness," and "guile." In his delivery, he demonstrated no sinister motives, false pretences, or insincere purposes.
The Gentile or pagan philosophers of his day advocated a teaching which led its followers into a life of licentiousness and corruption. The very gods which they exalted were celebrated for their adulteries, fornications, uncleannesses, etc. Paul preached the pure and unadulterated Word of the One and Only Holy God - which produces holiness in the hearts and lives of its followers.
"...When the adversaries of Christ's cause begin to be daring, it is not for its advocates to be timid...The impudence of the enemies of the gospel, instead of frightening should rather embolden its friends..."
Are you becoming more daring or timid? Is the impudence of the sinner frightening or emboldening you? Do you cower at the first sign of opposition to the preaching of the Gospel or to a strong stand for Truth?
God wants to fill you with Boldness.
He wants the "edge" of holy resolution to be sharpened in your life.
What must you do?
Pray - and ask others to pray.
Realize Who your Source of strength is - none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
And last but not least - be sure that your life is free from "deceit," "uncleanness," and "guile." Sin will weaken you and make you tremble at the first sign of strife; whereas, righteousness will make you "bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1).
O Saint of God! "...Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might!" (Ephesians 6:10)
Speak for God! Don't hold back!
Strive in your preaching against the evil of your day.
Press in against every and all forms of rebuttal to the Truth.
Don't allow anything to discourage you in your work or drive you away from it.
BE BOLD! - for the Lord your God is with you!
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved