Holy Spirit Boldness: Overcoming Fear to Witness for Christ

Summary

Bold Christian witness comes from the Holy Spirit, not personality or education. Early believers, empowered by the Spirit, proclaimed Jesus fearlessly, as seen in the Book of Acts. Fear is overcome through God’s power, which produces self-control and courage. When believers surrender control and step out in faith, the Holy Spirit fills them afresh and enables effective, Christ-centered witness despite opposition.

Spirit-Empowered Boldness in the Early Church

The early Christians spoke freely, even recklessly, about Jesus, without worrying about what might happen to them. The Holy Spirit, who controlled them, supplied their boldness. Peter’s Holy Spirit-empowered bold preaching in Acts 2–3 brought thousands into the Kingdom of God.

The Holy Spirit as Fear’s Antidote

The Spirit’s power still makes a difference. The Timothy Initiative teaches new believers to boldly share their faith with others in the power of the Spirit.

From the beginning of 2020 through September 2021, God used this organization and those they won to Christ to plant 16,787 new churches in India and Nepal.

Holy Spirit Boldness

Does fear prevent you from bearing spiritual fruit? God’s power is fear’s antidote. The Holy Spirit gives you boldness and power to walk through the restraining walls of fear.

The Holy Spirit’s control produces self-control (Galatians 5:23). Those with self-control do not surrender to fear’s dominion.

It is ironic. Those who control their own lives usually lack the self-control that those the Holy Spirit controls possess.

Opposition to the Name of Jesus

Witnessing is not just for outgoing or aggressive personalities. It is a mark of the Holy Spirit’s control. Expect opposition, however, when you mention Jesus’ name.

The first-century religious leaders opposed the preaching of Peter and John and imprisoned them. The same people who sentenced Peter and John’s Master to death asked Peter and John to defend their actions.

These leaders decided Peter and John could speak, teach, and be as religious as they liked as long as they did not mention Jesus’ name (Acts 4:18).

The Holy Spirit brings glory to Jesus and testifies of Him (John 15:26, 16:14). In contrast, the enemy tolerates no mention of Jesus’ name in a positive light.

Opposition to bringing glory to Jesus and testifying about Him often comes from those inside the church fighting for personal power, position, and glory.

It happens when fights rage in churches, and people forget the real battle (Ephesians 6:10-12). It is often a tussle over who is in charge.

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Power

The good news is you do not need a formal education to bear bold witness to Christ. Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men. Their only qualification was having been with Jesus.

They were not superhuman. When threatened, the early Christians prayed for boldness and received it with a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31).

Yielding Control to the Holy Spirit

You must be willing to do God’s will for the Holy Spirit to fill you. You must vacate the driver’s seat of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to take it.

Then step out in faith, even though you do not feel an emotional buzz or whatever you think you should feel to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Expect the Holy Spirit to empower you. He will.

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