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Reality of Purpose or the Frustration of Achievement Part 2-Boldness

Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John,
and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled;
and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:29
And now, Lord, behold their threatening: and grant unto thy servants,
that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together;
and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,
and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 28:30-31
Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired house,
and was receiving all those coming in unto him,
preaching the reign of God,
and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ
with all boldness.

In the above scriptures from the Bible it is clear that in the early church boldness was a key element of the followers of Jesus. You see that on the morning of Pentecost the believers changed from the closed door of the upper room to the street. Public silence turned to public boldness. Now with the fire of the Holy Spirit they openly proclaimed the life and message of Jesus to strangers.

This openness and boldness was the mark of the early church.

The modern church of the 21st Century must be careful not to become so focused on ‘style’ and ‘conformity’ and ‘lifestyle evangelism’ that we miss the power of God delivered with boldness that has marked every awaking in history.

Boldness is the mark of Jesus. He was bold and so are His followers to be.

Boldness does not mean: insensitive, brash, rude or aggressive.

Boldness does mean: Speaking up, giving hope, caring, loving and action.

Some people become so hyper sensitive that they and not effective in sharing Jesus with others. They become paralyzed with fear and doubt about themselves. The focus becomes ones self and not others.

Are you focused on yourself or others when it comes to sharing Jesus.

Let’s look at this more carefully.

The call of Jesus requires boldness.
We are to Go.
We are to share the good news of Jesus with others.
We are to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the mission.
We are to be lead by the Spirit in our witness and sharing.
We are to expect result.

Our example foremost is Jesus. He started conversations and he responded to other people’s questions or statements.

Look at the early church and see their approach:
They went everywhere and they started conversations and responded to other people’s questions or statements.

What is the definition of boldness in the Bible?

BOLD, BOLDNESS, BOLDLY
parrhesia ^3954^, from pas, “all,” rhesis, “speech” (see A, No. 2), denotes (a), primarily, “freedom of speech, unreservedness of utterance,” ; or “to speak without ambiguity, plainly,” ; or “without figures of speech,” ; (b) “the absence of fear in speaking boldly; hence, confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, without any connection necessarily with speech”; the RV has “boldness” in the following; ; (c) the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous, , acts openly, or secures publicity, . (from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)
(Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

????????, parrh?sia, par-rhay-see’-ah
From G3956 and a derivative of G4483 ; all out spokenness, that is, frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication assurance:—bold , confidence, freely, openly, plainly
Strong’s Greek New Testament

Stop and look again at the definition of boldness.

Does this look like you?

Know that this is not the mark of a preacher or missionary but of the people in the early church.

Does your pastor and church encourage ‘bold’ witness?

Your Bible sure does. Jesus sure encouraged it. The early church sure had it.

How did we loose such a mark of true discipleship?
How strange that so many are more ‘sensitive’ to seeking not to offend ‘anyone’ than seeking not to ‘quince’ or ‘grieve’ the Holy Spirit.

I encourage you to be ‘sensitive’ to the Holy Spirit and be bold in your witness.

A person that is saved and knows Jesus as Savior and Lord and loves God with all their heart and is filled with the Holy Spirit ‘is’ bold. This should be your nature. Just as it is the natural instinct of a newborn baby to breath and suck and move and cry out. So the newborn follower of Jesus desires to share Jesus and cares for others.
Now that is the nature of a believer.
So often due to the religious culture and influence of others in church fear becomes established in the new converts heart. They are influenced to become silent and careful not to offend or be to excited.

It is sad but true that many churches instead of being the place of empowerment for witness and evangelism is often the place that most suppresses the fire of the Spirit in sharing Jesus with others.

As a matter of fact many pastors, ministers and church leaders outside of the pulpit or church building are often not actively sharing Jesus in a bold and direct way with the people they meet.

New Testament leaders were bold in sharing Jesus.

Timid leaders will not produce bold witnesses.

2 Corinthians 3:12
Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech–

Ephesians 6:19
that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly
to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Philippians 1:20-21
according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed,
but with all boldness,
as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Acts 13:45-46
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming,
they opposed the things spoken by Paul.
Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Philippians 1:14
Most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains,
are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

1Thessalonians 2:2
even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know,
we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

A person needs boldness to break out and attempt what Jesus has called you to do no matter how difficult or challenging the call.

Should you focus on yourself or on the power of Jesus?

I will share next on how you can take the steps necessary to move in the direction of what Jesus has laid on your heart.

I pray for you to be filled with boldness in the power of the Holy Spirit and to move out into the world sharing Jesus.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt

Luke 18:1