"BORN TO BE BOLD" - APOSTOLIC "BOLDNESS" SOMETHING IS MISSING in all the churches

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ASTRIDE THE LAND, from coast to coast and from north to south of old Scotland, there was for hundreds of years a divinely-powered man. Living, or dead, he was there!

He was bold.

He was called to boldness. It seems he was born for boldness.

Boldness put him on his course. Boldness kept him on course, right to the end of his battle against sin in the very place where sin should have been battled against, the church.

When you look at the facts of history, telling what John Knox did in the interests of God's good causes, you really are not surprised if someone says to you that he believes it would please the devil if we all forgot about Knox. Knox, prayed, Give me Scotland or I die.

Indeed a bold prayer. Knox wanted Scotland for God, even at the price of his life. What a patriot! What a servant of God!

See us very timid and afraid to stay alone in boarding School, My Father often used this phrase, “the Fear of God is the begining of Boldness”

INTRODUCTION:

IN order to live a Christian life in this time one needs a certain amount of boldness. It would be a good thing if every leader and member of the church today possessed the holy boldness that characterized the disciples following Pentecost. In fact, the church today must have this boldness if it is to fulfill its task. To be timid, to be silent, to compromise, is treason to the government of heaven.

Over and over as one reads the book of Acts he is impressed with the courageous witness of the apostles. When Peter and John were brought before Annas, Caiaphas, and the other Temple dignitaries, they spoke out boldly for their faith. Note Peter's fearless testimony in Acts 4:10, 11: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner."

It seems hard to believe that this was the apostle who less than two months before had been cringing in the courtyard, afraid to admit he was Christ's disciple, even denying with cursing that he knew Christ. Now Peter stands and accuses the leaders of having crucified Christ. He doesn't say the Romans did it, thus endeavoring to prevent embarrassment on the part of Annas and Caiaphas. He says they did it.

Would he have been wise to be more tactful? No. This was the only possible way of helping them see their true guilt, to see themselves as murderers. Consciousness of sin must precede repentance.

Introducing the TEXT: Acts 4:13

Acts 4:13 (NKJV)

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

In the Greek for ‘Boldness’ is parresia, used there thirty-one times, and translated in the English Bible boldness, boldly, bold, thirteen times; confidence, six times; plainly and plainness, five times; freely, once; and openly, six times.

The Greek word is a compound of the preposition para, by the side of, in the presence of; and hresis, a speech, a word, speaking; so when this word is used, the primary reference is to the speech of the subject. This is well brought out in Ephesians 3:12: "In whom we have boldness." The word parresia, translated boldness, means freedom of saying anything and everything, with the total absence of restraint and fear. Luke uses "boldness" as one of his key words in explaining the success and attitudes of the early church.

"Now when they saw the boldness"—"steadfastness " (Wycliffe), " confidence " (Haweis), " intrepidity " (Dickinson), " openness " (Young), " unfettered eloquence " (Fenton), " boldness of speech " (Rother- ham), " freedom of speech " (Wakefield), " courageous manner " (Heinfetter), " the readiness and strength " (Pyle) —" of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled ; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4: 13. See also " The Spirit of Prophecy," Vol. III, p. 279, and " Redemption," by Mrs. E. G. White, p. 16, edition of 1878.

In Hebrews 10:19,

Hebrews 10:19 NKJV

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

The reference is not just daring, courage, fearlessness, but all that in freedom of speech, openness of utterance, in prayer. We pray about many things. We pray for love, for meekness, for holiness, and that our influence may gather for the kingdom of God. And all this is good. But how many of us pray for boldness?

What amazed the enemies of the early disciples was their boldness. "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, . . . they marveled." These men were under the control of the Holy Spirit. They were fearless. Their boldness gave them freedom of speech. Their words were not hesitating. There was nothing uncertain about their message.

The learned rabbis who listened to Peter and John could not understand the boldness of such men. They "perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men." That was evident in their dress. They lacked the academic gown and the imposing robe of the scribe. The contrast be- tween them and the rabbis was like the contrast between a fisherman and a Harvard don. And their accent betrayed them. It was not the fruit of culture. Ah, but these men possessed some- thing that mere schooling can never give. There they stood, "with fine spiritual serenity, with an unshaken strength of assurance, with a firm defi- niteness of thought, with an unwonted precision of speech, and a magnificent irresistibleness of life." And their listeners "marveled."

What is the explanation of it all? "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost"—that explains the boldness. It is Peter plus the Infinite. It is as natural for a Spirit-filled man to be bold as it is for others to be craven, as natural for him to be decisive as for others to be limp. Dr. James Has- tings suggests that we pause by the word "filled."

He says : "It was the word that was used when the net was crammed with fishes. It was the word that was used when a substance had been steeped and soaked in the dye, and every strand and thread in the fabric had received the requisite hue. And this word in its fullest meaning is used to describe the infilling of these men with the Spirit of God. Every gap and lack in their being was filled out by the Spirit. And every tissue and fiber in mind and heart and soul was steeped in the Spirit, and dyed into one all-per- vasive and heavenly hue. 'Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost' ! Is it any wonder that he was bold, and that men were startled by his message?"

He continues: "Why are we not bold? Be- cause the filling is only partial. Sometimes the conscience is God-filled, but not the affections. Sometimes the emotions are consecrated, but not the reason and judgment. It is the partial filling that is the peril of the Christian life. It is the unhallowed relationship that makes the entire being limp and faint. We must be enveloped in the Holy Spirit; we must allow every faculty and every relationship to be bathed in His gracious flood."

I want to introduce the boldness of John the Baptist and Jesus

Boldness of John the Baptist

John the Baptist proclaimed truth with holy boldness.

When Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized, John exclaimed, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).* That bold declaration was the theme of John’s ministry. He recognized Jesus because of his personal encounter with God: “I saw the Spirit descend- ing from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God” (John 1:32–34).

Like John, the Lord also calls us, in our particular ministry context, to proclaim truth with holy boldness as we prepare the way for His coming. That proclamation is only possible as a result of a personal, supernatural encounter with God. Have you ever met a follower of Jesus who walked in the presence of God? Perhaps when that person prayed with you or, by the way she showed the love of God to others, you recognized a direct connection with heaven. That’s how people felt when they were around John the Baptist. They sensed God’s presence and that John had a living connection with God.

John the Baptist boldly pro- claimed a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. His message was a call to revival and reformation. Why did people listen to his exhorta- tions? Why didn’t they just brush him off as another fanatic? Because they saw holiness in his life; they saw a living connection with God. There was supernatural confirmation that his testimony was true.

According to Josephus, John had great influence over the masses. He could easily have promoted his personal agenda for his own benefit. Instead, John maintained a humble spirit. On one occasion, some of John’s disciples came to him and said, “ ‘Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!’ John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, “I am not the Christ,” but, “I have been sent before Him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease’ ” (John 3:26–30). What an example for us in these closing days of earth’s history! What a bold and compelling vision: Jesus must become greater, and we must become less.

Boldness of Jesus

THE natural meekness and humility of Jesus was not an evidence of cowardice. The boldest, bravest man who ever lived was Jesus. On many occasions He manifested great courage and boldness. He was unafraid in the presence of men, and did not hesitate to declare the truth of God in uncompromising terms when He felt it was necessary to do so.

In the early days of His ministry we find Him in the Temple court. As He stands apart from the throng He observes the noisy buying and selling in the sacred areas. He notes the frauds and extortion perpetrated in the name of religion. He sees the greedy, hypocritical priests going in and out amid the multitude, watching the transactions, from which they reap unrighteous gain. A feeling of holy indignation rises within the heart of Jesus. His searching eyes begin to flash with the majesty of heaven. Unconsciously the attention of the traffickers is drawn toward Him. They begin to realize that some- thing startling is about to happen. And they do not have long to wait. Suddenly, like the voice of doom, they hear this stranger cry, "Take these things hence; make not My Father's house an house of merchandise." The response is like the rush of men before a storm. Soon the confusion is hushed, and there is silence in the courts of God.

Jesus had come to do a work of reform. We see Him again during the latter days of His work on earth, when He faced a group of scribes and Pharisees who had joined the multitude to listen to His teaching in the Temple courts. These insincere leaders of the people had been drawing Him out with questions, to see whether they could trap Him, and thus have greater reason to condemn Him as a traitor to His people. For a long time the priests had tried to press Him into a corner, where they might attack Him and nullify His work.

Not for Himself did He cry out against their hypocrisy and evil deeds that day, but to expose them before the people who crowded about Him. Never has anyone uttered more scathing denunciations against a religious hierarchy still able to wield the power of life or death. But this mattered not to Jesus. He feared not to denounce their illicit traffic in souls, their oppression of the poor, their unholy pride, their blind conformity to tradition. That day was a high point in His earthly ministry. And it brought Him grief, as He knew it would.

This was a task that He did not enjoy. Much rather would He gather the little children about Him and bless them, comfort a brokenhearted mother, or teach things that pertained to eternal life. We are told that when He denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, "tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes."—Steps to Christ, p. 13.

There will be times when the Christian must exercise holy boldness as Jesus did. A Christian is not timid. He is not a coward. He may have to speak out against wrongdoing. He may have to tell his dearest friend that he is in error. He may have to stand before church councils and defend principle.

But in doing this he must emulate his Lord, who though compelled to denounce sin still loved the sinner. Zeal for the cause of God must never take the form of personal battle. Whether we personally win or lose in an argument is of little moment. The great thing that matters is whether or not we are advancing the cause of truth and righteousness. All thought of self must be laid aside when we rise to defend our faith or to begin some needed reform in the church. We must be sure that it is holy boldness that we are manifesting rather than an unholy rashness born of self-righteous pride. The im- portant thing is not that we do a good work but how we do it. An intemperate, prideful spirit has wrecked many a good cause. It was this that Jesus avoided in all His ministry, His thought being, "Not I, but the Father." Today in all our labor we too should say and feel, "Not I, but Christ."

Holy Spirit Gives Boldness

After Peter and John had been released, they met with the other believers and prayed: "Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word" (verse 29). They knew that further attempts would be made to silence them. They knew too, that the natural disposition of the heart is to choose the path of least resistance. ("Why not tone down our witness? Why offend these leaders by exposing their wicked course? Why not soft-pedal certain of our teachings?")

God answered their prayer, for "the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness" (verse 31).

When the Holy Spirit filled them, they were bold for right and truth. And the Spirit will do the same for us today. It is when we are without the Spirit that we cower and endeavor to conceal our faith.

Why did the disciples pray for boldness? Because they knew "that they would meet the same determined opposi- tion that Christ had encountered when upon the earth." —The Acts of the Apostles, p. 68. Christ could have avoided this opposition merely by compromising. So could the disciples. So can we. But truth was more im- portant to them than life itself. It must also be to us.

The type of boldness not to have

A Sunday church that my family regularly drives past displays banners with pithy sayings. One day, my seven-year- old daughter, perched in our car’s back seat, sat up and noticed the newest sign recently erected. Carefully pronouncing each word, Jess read aloud, “Say... it...boldly.” As the church disap- peared into our rearview mirror, she repeated it again, mulling the words over, tasting the meaning of their message. Then, with a flash of realization, Jess declared, “If they are really going to ‘say it boldly’ they need to go to church on Sabbath and not Sunday!” While my daughter is correct, boldness can be abused when we don’t “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). I’ve met a few recklessly bold church members through the years. At a church social where a number of people from other faiths were present, I overheard a sincere member lec- turing our guests in stern tones on the right day for worship and damning them if they didn’t show up at church the next Sabbath. This is not the type of boldness that I aspire to.

In what ways would boldness help the church today?

First, it would greatly hasten completion of the gospel commission. For every member would let his light shine.

He would speak up whenever there was opportunity to tell others of his faith. Reinforced by a consistent Christian life, such witnessing would soon reach every "kindred, and tongue, and people."

Second, boldness would help purify the church, pre- paring the way for God's power to be manifested. For sin would be rebuked. God's servant writes: "When will be heard once more in the church the voice of faithful re- buke, 'Thou art the man'? If these words were not so rare, we should see more of the power of God."—Gospel Workers, p. 150.

Too many church members do not want to be told about their sins. They do not want to have specific sins pointed out. If they had lived in the days of John the Baptist, they would have condemned him for telling Herod that it was unlawful for him to live with his brother's wife. "So men have argued, till policy has taken the place of faithfulness. Sin is allowed to go un- rebuked."—Ibid. God's ministers need boldness to call sin by its right name on whatever level it may be found.

They need boldness also to preach the message that the world needs just now. "The last message of warning to the world is to lead men to see the importance that God attaches to his law. So plainly is the truth to be presented that no transgressor, hearing it, shall be excusable in failing to discern the importance of obedience to God's commands."—Ibid., p. 148. Although no one is saved by commandment keeping, certainly God will punish those who repudiate His law and teach men that they do not need to obey it. Pointed messages are needed to show the immutability of the divine standard. Men must see that the Almighty will not overlook the rejection of His authority represented by the substitution of the first day of the week for His holy Sabbath.

For all of these things, and for many more, the church needs boldness. Would it not be appropriate for us to pray today, as did the disciples, "Grant unto thy serv- ants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word"?

Conclusion

Apostolic boldness is certainly needed today. The times demand the militant attitude in the Christian soul. The character of Christ's dis- ciples today must be marked with fearlessness, strength, and decisiveness. We need have no fear of our foes, but we should fear a soft, and limp, and flaccid spiritual condition. We should display boldness of assurance before the world. All about us are men and women adrift because of their un- certainty regarding their future and their des- tiny. God has set us in the world to show men and women the way of life. We are here "in Christ's stead." Let them see His calm, fearless spirit controlling us, His pure, sincere life being lived over again in our lives ; then they will take knowledge of us and yield to His divine influence.

With the apostle Paul, we are to sense anew our indebtedness to the world, to men and women of every class. And, like Paul, we are to stand forth

"in season, out of season," always ready to speak the words of truth with certainty and assurance. Men and women will listen to the earnest, cou- rageous messenger of God whether the messenger is on the public platform or calling at the door with literature. The latter form of service may require even more apostolic boldness today than the former.

May the boldness and the power of the early church soon characterize the rank and file of God's people as they rapidly approach the final days of man's history.

So may it be with us. May their rich experience stimulate our faith to ask and receive. We need that Spirit. Without it we are powerless ; but nothing is impossible to those who receive it. Then fear will give place to holy boldness, power will succeed to weakness, divine wisdom will be manifested in human flesh, and the gospel of the kingdom in its saving power will go forth as a lamp that burneth, refining and purifying those who receive it, ripening the har- vest, and gathering the sheaves in the garner of the Lord. Then will God's glory be seen upon his people as in former days, and a great work, cut short in righteousness, will close earth's his- tory, and Christ will come to end the long con- troversy and to redeem his saints.