First, we must attend to the ordinary means of grace (Word, sacraments, prayer). Our understanding of the love of God for us and our corresponding love for Him will grow as we continually exercise these Spirit-ordained means. Second, we must gather with the saints regularly to stir one another up to love and good works (Heb. 10:24). It is only as the whole body works together that we are built up in love (Eph. 4:15–16). Third, we should regularly ask the Lord for opportunities to speak about Christ to unbelievers and for boldness to seize these opportunities when given (Col. 4:3–4).
Have you found yourself sitting across the table from an unbelieving friend, feeling nervous about how to speak about Jesus? I have. I am not sure how to begin the conversation. I fear his rejection. I fear my inability to speak helpfully. I want to be bold, but I often find myself overcome with timidity. In those moments, I seem to lose clarity in my speech. I pull my punches. I become mealymouthed. I am standing between the hearer and the gospel, and I feel unable to get myself out of the way. How do I overcome these fears and become bold in gospel proclamation?
I want to provide three answers to that question. First, I want to consider the nature of boldness in evangelism. Second, I want to look at how the Apostles became bold. Third, I want to commend a few practices to encourage each of us in bold evangelism.
What is the nature of boldness in evangelism? The evangelistic preaching of the Apostles is frequently described by Luke as “bold” (Acts 4:13, 29, 31; 9:27–28; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 26:26; 28:31). They proclaimed the historical facts of Christ’s work and the saving implications of His work. They were not so overcome by fear that they avoided open declaration of the gospel. They let the truth fall on the ears of their hearers without any apology, even as they were confronted with threats and persecution. As Alan J. Thompson wrote:
“Boldness” is a freedom to proclaim the truth of God’s saving purposes in the Lord Jesus along with the accompanying warnings and promises even in contexts of opposition, threats of personal harm, persecution or derision. It is the willingness “to be clear in the face of fear.”
How did the Apostles become bold? Before His ascension, Jesus commanded the Apostles to stay in Jerusalem, withholding their evangelistic ministry, until He sent the Holy Spirit upon them (Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit was then poured out at Pentecost, and the ministry of the Apostles began (Acts 2). Their boldness in gospel proclamation was Spirit-empowered. One of the most instructive scenes in the book of Acts follows the arrest of Peter and John for their proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus (4:1–3).