Sharing the Gospel with BOLDNESS

Dear Christians,

Do you share the Apostle Paul’s sentiment about preaching the GOSPEL with boldness, or in confidence as some translate the Hebrew word “parrēsia”? [Confidence (Noun, or Verb with "have"), Confident (-ly): often rendered "confidence" in the AV, is in all such instances rendered "boldness" –Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words—blb.org]

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

“Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”—Acts 28:31 [KLV]

If so, it is a fine and commendable blessing. It is a testimony to the depth of your faith and conviction in GOD’s Word together with being born again in the HOLY Spirit. Confidence or boldness does not bow to anyone except as a Christian, then the only one to whom confidence will bow is to GOD as GOD edifies and fine tunes our conviction all the more with instruction by the Holy Spirit.

If you lack confidence or boldness, especially in the current cultures the world over, it is surely a worthwhile effort to pray that GOD gives you the confidence you need to carry out your Christian Commission as expressed in Matt 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

To be clear, boldness and confidence have similar meanings and overlap in the level of commitment one has to the subject of their bold and confident stand. There are times when being confident is sufficient while being bold may be more demonstrative. For instance, you may be confident when you see a building in flames that destruction, at the very least to the building, is inevitable if left to consume its fuel. However, boldly announcing a FIRE is essential especially if life is at peril. You then are moved to do everything you can to alert anyone necessary that can stop the fire and preserve life and property where possible.

In the Christian life, sharing the Gospel with confidence naturally will attract those who are drawn to the message of the Gospel. There are times, however, when boldness is required together with your confidence to stress the importance of the message. You may live somewhere the Gospel message is not freely allowed to be spoken of by authorities. In that case boldness takes on a vastly different meaning as you stand your ground and share it. Other times, it may be merely that boldness is perceived by the hearer which may or may not change the mind of the hearer. In any case, Christians should be as confident and bold as all the Apostles and disciples in all circumstances.

Do you know of Stephen’s martyred life? His final testimony leading up to his death was a confident and bold accounting of the Gospel message. Immediately upon completing his bold affirmation of his faith he witnessed the glory of Jesus at the right hand of GOD. They stoned him forthwith whereupon his final words? A request to his Lord: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” After saying that he died. – Acts 7:60

Not only did it take absolute confidence for Stephen to submit to his punishment for preaching it took BOLDNESS to preach the Gospel to those who stood ready to stone him. Not all of us have that spirit of confidence and boldness when we ponder our own mortality if we may be judged guilty of sharing the Gospel. If we do not, then we must make it a matter of incessant prayer.

Ultimately always remember:

“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel;”—Col 1:5

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”—John 15:11

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”—1 Peter 1:8-9

Be BOLD! Be Confident! Know sharing the Gospel brings Joy and Hope for all who know it and all that share it! 

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

^“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send ^[c]Jesus Christ, who was ^[d]preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since ^[e]the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

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DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

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