is the Christ?” The boldness of Jesus is demonstrated here in His “open” preaching in the face of danger to His life.
The Book of Acts uses the same root word translat- ed “openly” in reference to Jesus’ preaching in John 7 regarding the bold gospel proclamation of His fol- lowers. In Acts 4:13, it is Peter and John whose bold preaching is noted by members of the Jewish ruling council, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” At the end of chapter 4, when a prayer meeting is held by the church after the report of the threats issued to Peter and John, these Christians don’t pray for the end to threats or danger. They pray for God to grant them boldness to continue preaching in the face of such threats; and the Lord responded to this request! “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they the word of God with boldness.” During the course of his ministry, Paul called for prayers on his behalf, that he might preach with boldness. Interestingly, some English translations use “courage” instead of “boldness” in expressing Paul’s dependence upon prayer, that he may not be “ashamed” in the course of his ministry in Philippi- ans 1:18-20: “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Je- sus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” The book of Acts ends with verses dem- onstrating the Lord’s faithfulness in answering this prayer for Paul while under house arrest in Rome: “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” While boldness repeatedly is commended regard- ing gospel proclamation, the New Testament has a few other applications for the use of the root word we have considered thus far. In Ephesians 3, Paul describes boldness in access to God through the me- diation of Christ as the source of the strength of his
January/February 2023
preaching ministry, “This was according to the eter- nal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in Whom we have boldness and access with The author of Hebrews, in 10:9-22, likewise urges for the same root, in directing his readers to assur- ance before God, “Therefore, brothers, since we have con- new and living way that he opened for us through the cur- priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” - ness in 1 John 4:17 in light of the coming day of judg- ment, “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may also are we in this world.”
Returning to questions posed earlier, I would ask again, who is the boldest person you know? Would you describe yourself as bold? A worldly boldness with an emphasis on self-exaltation might be easy to maybe even in people that we know well or deal with on a daily basis. Would you describe yourself as bold in that sense? Or, with a biblical view of boldness in mind, which has nothing to do with self-exaltation, but everything to do with the open exaltation of Jesus Christ in our words and actions, do you immediately think of some who show godly boldness in proclaim- ing Christ, and the beauty and power of the gospel openly? Hopefully, many examples that come into your minds, whether they are friends, fellow church members, teachers, or pastors.
What about boldness in your life? Does your faith
and prayer to our God? Are you sure of your access to His throne of grace? Does this engender boldness of speech regarding Jesus Christ? Again, the Greek word most often translated boldness means, “out- spokenness,” “frankness,” or “plainness of speech.” Do you speak openly, frankly, and plainly of Jesus to others? This requires boldness that has nothing to do with holding a high opinion of oneself. Rather it is a high regard for Christ, trust in power of the Holy Spirit, and certainty of God’s sovereign purpose that leads to faithful, bold communication as we seek the advance of the gospel. Such speech is exempli-
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