Spread the Gospel Boldly, not Reticently! {Part 1}

Posted By on Jun 16, 2014 |


We are going to post an 8 part series of “Spread the Gospel Boldly, not Reticently”. Please check each Friday for the next part.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a merciful life-saving proclamation which no other message distributed among human beings is as vitally important, nor life-giving. The Gospel is heralding the exclusivity of Jesus Christ; His death, burial, and Resurrection. And that all who believe unto Him in their heart, will be forgiven of their sins and inherit eternal life (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Mark 15:24-25, 1 Cor. 15:4, Rom. 10:9-10, 13, Luke 5:24, Acts 10:43, 13:38).

It is only the gospel message that is instrumental in leading people to the glorious supernatural phenomenon of salvation. And unbelievably, God grants Christians, mere finite creatures, the honor and privilege of participating in this miraculous process. How magnificent it is, to know the Divine Creator allows His children to plant and water (evangelism) the seed (the word of God), which God employs to perform the miracle of growth on who He chooses (salvation–1 Cor. 3:6). It’s through man’s sowing of the seed, that God reaps His crop. In essence, the gospel message is God’s chosen means to bring about salvation. (Rom. 10:15). Incidentally, God does not need man’s assistance in the salvation process, but amazingly grants mankind an important role to perform in His glorious plan of redemption. But, just so you do not think I’m promoting heretical doctrine, I’ll say it again; God does not require man’s help to bring about salvation, but, has chosen to use human instruments to herald the life-saving gospel to the lost. In fact, evangelism is not just a privilege of Christians, it’s a mandate.

Moments before His ascension, Jesus commanded that the gospel be declared to all nations. And Paul requisitioned it to be proclaimed “boldly” and frequently (Matt. 28:19, Acts 10:42, 2 Tim. 4:2). The Father gives the Son love-gifts; those chosen for eternal life, in whom the Son guarantees to raise up on the last day (John 6:39, 49, 44, 10:29, 17:24). Therefore, it is for this very reason that all Christians should dutifully, zealously, and boldly engage in the spreading of the gospel.

The word “boldly” according to the “Random House Dictionary”, is defined; “not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring”. Or, The Collins English Dictionary definition is: 1 “Courageous, confident and fearless; ready to take risks”. 2 “Showing or requiring courage”. 3 “Standing out distinctly; conspicuously”. The word “boldly” in the original Greek language (parraiazamai) is defined; “To speak freely or confidently”; as in Acts 13:46, 14:3, 18:26, 19:8, Rom. 15:15, Eph. 6:20. The word “boldness” (parrasia), is defined; “Freedom of speech, confidence”; as in Acts 4:29-31, 2 Cor. 3:12, 7:4, Eph. 6:19, 1 Thess. 2:2.” In both the English and Greek languages, the definition is similar. So in essence, to exhibit boldness when proclaiming the gospel, is to exercise confidence, fearlessness, and courageousness, despite the consequences, even if doing so, might lead to physical harm or death.

I ashamedly admit that my own evangelism is languid and needs bolstering. It is my hope and prayer that God empowers me with abundant grace to proclaim the gospel boldly; to aggressively seize every opportunity to exercise this God-given privilege and mandate. The mission field is everywhere and literally right outside our back door. I spend ample time studying the Bible, Bible commentaries, and various theological literatures written by past and present saints, but I am diffident and reserved when it comes to declaring the truths revealed in them.

A true paradigm for bold gospel declaration can be observed by examining the missionary endeavors of the apostles throughout the book of Acts. You will see how ardently they labored to proclaim the gospel, amidst persecution. Not only did they behave courageously, but displayed unshakable faith in the process. Incidentally, their gallantry and fervor was not innate characteristics which they all inimitably possessed. Boldness was infused into them by the Holy Spirit; He was the impetus behind their diligence and fortitude, and is given to any believer of Jesus Christ.

Just peruse through the book of Acts and observe numerous instances that the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the gospel boldly (Acts 4:8, 4:13, 4:31, 4:33, 9:27, 9:29, 13:52, 14:3, 18:26, 19:8). Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ stated to His disciples, that when the time came for His departure back to heaven, He would send in His place, the Helper or Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will teach them all things and empower them to courageously proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ (John 14:16, 26, 15:26, Acts 4:8, 4:31).

Read how the apostles prayed for boldness of speech, to proclaim the gospel, especially in the midst of incredible hostility from their antagonist’s. Notice how quickly God granted their supplications. “So when they (the apostles) heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, “who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.’ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, “by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:24-31-parenthesis and underlining added). It’s amazing how quickly God answered their prayer, by making His presence known in such a magnificent way, and filling them with the Holy Spirit to speak boldly.

As a result, many who believed were of one accord, and were charitable toward one another, because they witnessed a supernatural event that could only have come down from above. (Acts 4:32-33). What makes this account even more incredible is that the apostles prayed for boldness to proclaim Jesus Christ, to the very culprits responsible for His crucifixion (v.27)! The apostles knew imminent danger would result from heralding Jesus Christ, yet unwaveringly, they obeyed God and preached the gospel message (Acts 4:29, 5:29). It’s hard to imagine a more hostile environment to evangelize in. O’ how faithful God is to his praying servants; to those who ardently seek His intervention.

Incidentally, because “all” Christians are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, they can therefore receive by grace, the faith to perform many tasks in the Lord. A way for this to be accomplished is by fervently praying to be “filled” with the Holy Spirit, to grant them boldness similar to that of the apostles. (Eph. 5:18, 1 Thess. 5:17). One final observation; it is my belief, that some of the converts to the early church, were the very people who yelled; “crucify Him!” regarding the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 23:21). By the fourth chapter of Acts, the church had already grown to 5,000 men in size (not counting women) (Acts 4:4). This demonstrates the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation, and how incredibly forgiving and merciful He is towards sinners; virtually every sin of man is forgiven when they contritely repent and believe unto Christ. To redeem some of the very people responsible for reviling and crucifying His Son, proves God’s ways are not our ways. (Is. 55:8-9). {Part 2 will be posted next Friday}