Boldness and Power!
We are glad you joined us to study the Word of God today. We pray that you will receive lifechanging knowledge, insight and encouragement from reading our post. It is time for believers to rise up and respond to the directives of the Lord with boldness and power. Eric
After His resurrection, Jesus remained on the earth for 40 days. During that time, He gave proof of His resurrection, prepared His disciples for their mission, for His ascension and for the promised day of Pentecost. All of these events were important and essential in the role the disciples would play in the formation of the church. During this time of instruction , Jesus was deepening the disciples understanding of His mission and what role they would take on once He returned to heaven. He also spoke the Great Commission to them during this time. (Matthew 28:18-20). This commission was that they make disciples of all nations. Can you imagine how formidable that command was for them? During that 40 day period of time in which the resurrected Jesus was with them, He was confirming and strengthening those whom had committed to follow Him so they could achieve what He charged them to do.
We read in Acts 1:8 the promise of empowerment Jesus made to His followers which would enable them to accomplish His commands. The words of Jesus to His followers in Acts 1:8 (BSB) reads, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The phrase 'you will receive' lambano in the Greek, properly means: "to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting what is available (offered) to (accept with initiative) which emphasizes the assertiveness of the receiver or to actively lay hold of, to take or receive." (HELPS Word-studies). 'Power' dunamis is miraculous power or the power to achieve through (by applying) the Lord's inherent abilities. In other words, we achieve His purpose by having His power or inherent abilities working in us! I love the visual I get from this phrase! When we share the gospel with someone and they receive salvation, healing or deliverance - whatever is accomplished is accomplished through the power, ability and strength of the Lord! It is amazing to realize that we can be the vessels through which the Holy Spirit accomplishes His work!
Then Jesus added, "You will be my witnesses." The Greek word for 'witness' is martus meaning a witness or martyr. "A witness is a person who testifies to what he or she has seen or knows. A witness is accountable before God to state the truth and if necessary, to seal that testimony with life itself."(Bible Hub Topical Lexicon). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance adds: "fidelity may demand ultimate sacrifice."
So, when Jesus was preparing to ascend into heaven, He assured the church (His believers) they would be given the ability to spread the gospel. That promise of empowerment was given not just to his disciples who were present with Him then, it is a promise for everyone who comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus. That means, you are given power by the Holy Spirit, if you choose to accept it.
As we read through the book of Acts, we see evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit through the lives of those disciples who 'received' aggressively or actively what was available and offered;’ the miracle working power of the Lord through the Holy Spirit along with the directive to be a witness to the world! In order to be a witness to the world requires boldness. "The empowerment by the Holy Spirit is crucial for bold proclamation; as it provides believers with the courage and strength needed to witness effectively." (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia).
In time, the apostles faced serious opposition from the religious leaders. The priests, captain of the temple and Sadducees had them arrested. After the rulers, elders, scribes and the high priests examined them, they were warned to not speak to or teach anyone in the name of Jesus and were further threatened.
What was the apostle's response? They gathered with their companions to pray. We read that prayer in Acts 4:29-31 and 33 (BSB), "And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness 30 as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly...33 With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all."
The boldness they spoke with was a direct result of the Holy Spirit's empowerment, enabling the apostles to preach despite threats and opposition. In verse 29, the word "'boldness' parrhesia in the Greek means: outspokenness, unreserved utterance, freedom of speech with frankness and candor, cheerful courage and the opposite of cowardness, timidity or fear. It denotes a divine enablement that comes to ordinary and unprofessional people exhibiting spiritual power and authority. It is not a human quality but a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit." (NSFLB, Word Wealth).
We must look at verses 29 and 30 again. Take special note that in verse 29, the request was that "the Lord would enable them to speak boldly. Verse 30 "While You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." God is actively involved when we minister in obedience to His directives.! They were speaking boldly and God was stretching out His hand to heal and perform signs and wonders! "Hand of God' often represents His intervention and might. It is God's power and presence moving through His disciples.
You see, the signs and miracles that occur through His obedient servant's ministry is evidence of the divine authority, power and ability of God working through the Holy Spirit in believers.
I believe this is vital aspect of our Christian life and walk. The Word guarantees we will receive the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ and become a 'believer' or a 'Christian.' However, that alone does not guarantee we will actively participate with the Holy Spirit to achieve all He has for us to do or accomplish.
I believe many in the 'church' have either from fear or because of their lack of knowledge have set aside or ignored the Holy Spirit and the work which He desires to accomplish through every member of the body of Christ.
The signs and wonders we just read about in Acts 4 are to be continued by the moving of the Holy Spirit's power and boldness in the lives of the body of Christ today. In fact, it is revealed in Mark 16 that “these signs will accompany those who believe”: expulsion of demons, new languages, supernatural protection and healing. Note: these signs will accompany those who believe: not just pastors , youth leaders, worship team members, evangelists, but in the lives of all who believe.
In 1 Corinthians 2:4 (NIV) Paul reaffirms that it is God's power that accomplishes work or the signs and wonders the body of Christ is to accomplish, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration the Spirit's power."
1 Thessalonians 1:5a also reveals, "Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction."
Is this your norm? Do the words you speak reveal you are full of the Holy Spirit and a born again believer? The Lord has promised and granted to you His boldness and power - have you aggressively actively accepted what is available and offered? If not, I encourage you to receive the power and boldness that the Holy Spirit gives, so that you will fulfill your part as a member of the body of Christ. How can you do that? Luke 11:13 (ESV) reveals, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" I encourage you to put aside any fear that has held you back from a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He is waiting and eager to respond.
Some closing thoughts for today:
Hebrews 13:6 (ESV), "We can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Proverbs 28:1 (ESV), "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion."
God's boldness is motivated by passion for Christ and His truth.
"The Holy Spirit empowers ordinary believers to share an extraordinary message with boldness." (Chad A. Brodrick).
"Boldness isn't about one big moment, it is about consistent obedience." (Chad A. Brodrick).
"The more time we spend with the Holy Spirit in prayer, worship and the Word, the more our hearts align with His." (Chad A. Brodrick).
Speak boldly the name of Jesus to those you encounter!
Tell of His death and resurrection!
Tell of the glorious change that has come into your life because of Him!
Speak life to them!
Pray for and encourage them!
Scriptures used today are from:
BSB Berean Standard Bible
ESV English Standard Version
NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible