"With All Boldness"

“Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:31 ESV)

What is the meaning of boldness? Well, the AI defines being bold as having the courage to take risks, face fears, and speak up without being reckless or aggressive. It involves confidence, daring, and a willingness to act despite potential dangers, and can also refer to something conspicuous, imaginative, or immodest. It also means a willingness to take risks, to be imaginative, stepping outside the box in problem-solving or moving an idea forward.

Today’s verse describes what Paul did in Rome. To boldly proclaim the gospel. I think the AI definition accurately portrays Paul perfectly.

Many Christians go about their lives with a hedge row planted around them. Sheltered from the “real world,” many are content with worshiping, discussing scripture, sharing ideas on Christ and His sacrifice with those at worship and studies, without worrying about anything. But outside the church, for them, there is no effort to share the gospel at all, except church related outreach, if they even participate in that activity.

But are we not called to do more? Can you be bold? After all, scripture tells us that we are to be bold. Luke wrote in Acts 4:29, “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” After all, is it not Christ who makes us bold? Paul wrote, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” (Ephesians 3:12). We who are in Christ have passed from death to life. We have been transformed, not added to, by Christ. Think of your life before Christ and how He has transformed you. How can you remain quiet about this free gift of faith?

We can never fulfill the great commission if we remain behind the hedge row of comfort, behind the locked doors of fear, hiding from the idea of being bold and speaking the gospel.

Real life for those outside and inside Christ is hard. There are many perils and trials. One word of the gospel can open a door for them to be changed forever, or, in the case of a believer, receive the assurances they may be lacking, strengthening them in fellowship.

How can anyone come to faith without hearing the Word of God, the gospel? In Romans 10, Paul said, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”(v 17). It is not easy for some to be bold in Christ; it is indeed against human nature to speak words that can evoke anger and disdain. But is that not what Jesus did? Was He not bold in speaking on sin and the Kingdom of God, on repentance, and salvation? Did he not participate in confrontation with the unrighteous?

Let me ask you this question: in your salvation, did you not die with Christ, were you not resurrected as a new creature in Him? When this corpse we wear, stinking of sin, dies, what do you think will happen to you? Do you believe you will go to heaven? If so, then why the fear of being bold? Why not speak the gospel to someone you do not know? Remember, even if you face rejection, you are planting a seed that God can use to bring that person to faith.

There is a lovely older lady next door. She is a widow, and you speak to her at the mailbox all the time or when she sees you working in the yard. Did you know she does not know the gospel? But you say to yourself, well, she is a little old lady, she must know the gospel. However, she does not know Christ and sits in sin, alone in her house every day, not knowing Christ or what awaits believers.

Her husband knew Christ, but she never really understood what that meant. She never asked, and he assumed she knew, just like you. Every time you see her, a chance to speak the gospel to her is wasted. She sits alone in her sin without any clue of what her eternity might be or could be. Will you not step out from behind that curtain of quiet safety and give her the gospel, or at least invite her to worship where she will hear the gospel? Is that being a Christian, denying her the gospel? You can start by sharing a Bible verse with her, inviting her to a church event, or simply having a conversation about your faith.

Be bold in Christ. In the real world, providing the gospel may change someone's life. I can tell you that if you have never done this, it will change your life as well. Who knows what God may call on you to do? Will you be like Isaiah and say, “Here am I, send me?” (Isaiah 6:8) or run to the security of your hedge row. I pray you will make yourself available to the Lord; you may like the sound of the gospel rolling off your tongue. Help those who need to come to Christ and have not heard the Word. How will they know if they never hear it? Will you do that?

Salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as the incarnate Son of God. He died on the cross bearing your sins, a propitiation appeasing the wrath of God against your sins. He was buried and rose again in bodily form just as the Scriptures said He would. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father, where He acts as our mediator and the judge of all who will stand before the white throne of judgment.

Will you not speak it? Will you not step out in boldness and share the gospel with those around you? Let this be a call to action for all of us to be bold in our faith and to share the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone we meet.

Grace and Peace.