The Great Sending, Chapter 27

Reverand Dr. David Benke

What is the basis for us to discover how to be bold, forthright, and confident in our witnessing?

When one looks at the record of the early church, one must be impressed with the boldness of the apostles. When Peter and John were on trial for healing a paralyzed man, they testified, "We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). Upon their release, they prayed for God to "grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness" (v. 29).

The opening section of Paul's letter to the Philippians offers a basis for our boldness in witnessing to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

In Philippians 1:12-14, we see the results of Paul's forthrightness. The whole imperial guard knows Paul is not a lawbreaker; his imprisonment is for Christ. But how can Paul not bemoan his adverse circumstances? This is far different than the
plans he had for the Roman church to send him on his way to Spain, that he might do missionary work there. (Romans 15:23) Now his freedom to travel is restricted. How can Paul boldly say this has "served to advance the gospel?"

I wonder, too, if Paul did not recall the Old Testament story of Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Years after his service, unjust imprisonment, and release, Joseph said to his brothers, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20) Paul himself had testified in a similar vein: "We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) Such knowledge leads him to cope with his difficulties and to witness boldly!

The ultimate basis for his boldness, though, is more than that. Paul plainly wrote, "It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage [boldness, or parrhesia in Greek] now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:20). Paul is confident because he truly understands who Jesus is and what He has done for him and for all people. As the Christ hymn states so clearly (2:5-11), Christ Jesus did not cling to His glory as the Son of God but submitted to what must have been the most adverse of circumstances imaginable – humble service throughout his life with an obedience ending in the most degrading of deaths, execution as a criminal on the cross. Paul knew Jesus had suffered as he did or him. He, Paul, had been ransomed from his fears and his desire to be in control with the costly price of his Lord's life.

And he knew that because of Jesus' perfect, total obedience,
God had exalted Jesus to the place of supreme authority, with absolutely everything subject to Him. He alone was the Lord. Caesar was not in control, nor were the authorities who had accused Paul. Even though Paul did not know if his trial would lead to his acquittal or execution, he was confident, because Jesus was his Lord. Paul would be neither frightened nor intimidated. He could forthrightly point to Jesus because Jesus was the basis of his boldness.

The delightful side effect was that Paul's boldness inspired many Roman Christians to boldly speak the Word of Christ without fear (1:14). The reality of having the mind of Christ (2:5) means that we are grafted into His body; we are one with Him. As a result, Paul urged the Philippian Christians to "[stand] firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents" (1:27-28).

Our fellowship with one another in Christ strengthens our resolve to be bold.

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