How Can I Be Bold in Witnessing?

Thousands of books have been written, and sermons preached on methods and motivations to share the gospel with non-believers.  None of us need to be convinced of the necessity of doing so. Without the Lord’s saving grace, our non-believing loved ones will go to Hell and spend eternity apart from the Lord and us.  We long for them to join us in our promised hope — a glorious home, eternally with our Saviour. 

So, the desire to preach the gospel is present, but often the self-imposed pressure to do so is a hindrance.  We tend to think that we must have all the perfect words to penetrate the hearts of the lost, and we must have all the answers to their questions.  NOT TRUE.

What we need is to be sure of our calling, and we need to be trusting that the words we need will be given to us by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus has promised that He will teach and guide us all truths of the Lord. 

John 14:26  …the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Now, Let’s Get Equipped to BE BOLD in Witnessing

The Bible equips us, so let’s begin with the Scripture that reminds us that witnessing is a mission Jesus gave us.  In all four Gospels and the first chapter of Acts, Jesus commands His disciples to preach the gospel with our words (Read: Why is “Preach the Gospel and When Necessary Use Words” WRONG?)

Mat 28:19-20  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them [words are necessary] to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Mark 16:15  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel [with words] to every creature.

Luke 24:44-45, 48  Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”  And He opened their understanding [with words], that they might comprehend the Scriptures. “And you are witnesses of these things….” [A witness is to testify, ie. speak, of what he has witnessed].

John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  [God sent Jesus to preach and proclaim with words. Luke 4:18]

Acts 1:8  “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me… [Witnesses use spoken words. A silent witness is no witness at all. And trust that our words come from the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.]

The Great Commission Given to Paul

Jesus gave “marching orders” to Paul that also apply to us. This should motivate us to be confident and bold in witnessing.

Acts 26:17  …I [Jesus] send you [Paul], Acts 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Paul’s Instruction About Witnessing

Paul had great confidence in the gospel of saving grace. From his own experience, he knew the power of forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ.  He knew that in whatever situation he found himself in, he could simply and clearly tell of the power of the resurrection of Jesus to give life eternal.  Paul also wrote about how the manner in which we live can uphold the words that we proclaim and encourage boldness in others. 

Phil 1:12-14  But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;  and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Phil 1:27  … let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…

Peter’s Instruction About Witnessing

1 Pet 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

John the Baptist’s Example of Being a Witness

John 1:6-9 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him [John’s witness] might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.  

Let Your Words Testify and Let the Light in Your Life Shine

You will be bold in witnessing when you trust that the Spirit will help you (John 14:26).  So, speak with confidence, as Paul did, “preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” (Acts 28:31).

Follow Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 6 and put on the whole armor of God — the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit/the word of God.  And remember how Paul concluded his instruction, reminding us of our greatest weapon, prayer, and the purpose of the armor, “to speak boldly the gospel.”

Eph 6:18-20  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints; and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Tell someone today about the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Tell how they can have their sins forgiven, be regenerated into the newness of life in Christ, and receive the promised inheritance of eternal life, starting today!

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Read More:

Why is “Preach the Gospel and When Necessary Use Words” WRONG? 
How Can I Be Bold in Witnessing?
Fear is A Liar – A Witnessing Encounter
How Can I Witness if I Don’t Have the Gift of Evangelism?
How Should I Witness to Mormons?
Be BOLD or Be Gentle When Witnessing? 
So Great A Cloud Of Witnesses
How should I witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Why should I witness? From The Cove
How Can I Effectively Witness?