What does Acts 9:28 teach about boldness in proclaiming Jesus' name? Setting the Scene • Saul has just encountered the risen Christ (Acts 9:3–6), been baptized (9:18), and begun preaching in Damascus (9:20). • After threats on his life, he travels to Jerusalem, is received by the apostles through Barnabas’ advocacy (9:26–27), and immediately begins public ministry. The Verse “So Saul stayed with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 9:28) What Boldness Looks Like in Acts 9:28 • Public and vocal: Saul “moved about freely,” deliberately placing himself where conversation and conflict would occur. • Christ-centered: His message is “in the name of the Lord,” not personal opinion. • Continuous action: The Greek tense suggests ongoing speech, not a one-time outburst. • Fearless despite danger: Jerusalem housed the very leaders who authorized earlier persecutions (Acts 8:1–3). Boldness is measured against real threat. Roots of Saul’s Boldness • Clear conversion: Meeting Jesus left no room for doubt (Acts 9:4–6). Certainty fuels courage. • Filling of the Spirit: Ananias prayed and Saul “was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17). Compare Acts 4:31—“they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” • Supportive fellowship: Acceptance by the apostles provided spiritual covering and accountability (Acts 9:27). • Scriptural grounding: Saul, trained in the Law, now saw every text fulfilled in Christ, equipping him to reason persuasively (Acts 9:22). Biblical Pattern of Bold Proclamation • Peter and John: “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). • Early church prayer: “Enable Your servants to speak Your word with all boldness” (Acts 4:29). • Paul later: “Pray… that I may proclaim it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19–20). • Timothy exhorted: “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power” (2 Timothy 1:7). Fruits of Boldness Observed • Rapid gospel spread: Bold preaching in hostile territory accelerates witness. • Opposition and refinement: Boldness invites persecution, which purifies motives and showcases God’s sustaining grace (Acts 9:29–30). • Courage for others: Saul’s example emboldened believers who saw the gospel’s transforming power (cf. Philippians 1:14). Take-Home Encouragement • Boldness is not personality-driven; it flows from certainty about Jesus’ lordship and the Spirit’s filling. • The same Lord who met Saul empowers believers today to speak His name without shrinking back. • Engage openly, focus on Christ, trust the Spirit, and let the results rest in God’s sovereign hands. |
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