The term "publickly" is an archaic form of the word "publicly," which refers to actions or events that occur in the open, visible to others, or in a manner accessible to the general populace. In the context of the Bible, public acts often carry significant weight, as they can serve as a testimony to one's faith, a demonstration of God's power, or a means of communal worship and instruction.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Public Ministry of Jesus: Jesus Christ's ministry was largely conducted in public settings. He taught in synagogues, on mountainsides, and in the streets, making His message accessible to all. In John 18:20 , Jesus states, "I have spoken openly to the world... I always taught in synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret." This public ministry was essential for spreading the Gospel and fulfilling His mission.

2. Public Miracles: Many of Jesus' miracles were performed publicly, serving as signs of His divine authority and compassion. For instance, the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21) and the healing of the blind man (John 9:1-7) were witnessed by large crowds, reinforcing His identity as the Messiah and drawing people to faith.

3. Public Confession and Baptism: Public confession of faith and baptism are significant aspects of Christian practice. In Acts 2:38-41 , Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost, calling them to "repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." The public nature of baptism serves as a declaration of faith and commitment to the Christian community.

4. Public Worship and Prayer: The early church gathered publicly for worship, prayer, and teaching. Acts 2:46-47 describes the believers meeting "every day in the temple courts" and "breaking bread in their homes," highlighting the communal and public aspects of early Christian worship. Public prayer, as seen in the example of Daniel (Daniel 6:10), demonstrates faithfulness and reliance on God, even in the face of opposition.

5. Public Rebuke and Correction: Scripture also addresses the need for public correction within the church. In 1 Timothy 5:20 , Paul instructs, "But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear." This public accountability serves to maintain the integrity and holiness of the church body.

6. Public Proclamation of the Gospel: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) calls believers to make disciples of all nations, a task that inherently involves public proclamation. The apostles, as recorded in the book of Acts, boldly preached the Gospel in public spaces, despite persecution, exemplifying the call to share the message of Christ openly.

Theological Implications

Public acts in the Bible often serve as a witness to God's truth and power. They provide opportunities for believers to demonstrate their faith, for the community to engage in worship, and for the Gospel to be proclaimed to all. The public nature of these acts underscores the communal aspect of faith and the call to live out one's beliefs in a visible and impactful manner.1219. demosios -- public
... common, open, public. From demos; public; (feminine singular dative case as adverb)
in public -- common, openly, publickly. see GREEK demos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1219.htm - 6k

Luke xxiii. 42, 43
... as this, profess to the World that He doth, on any account, or in Mercy to any Person,
depart from those Measures which He hath, as publickly, fixed, and ...
/.../sermon xvi luke xxiii 42.htm

Particulars
... It was dishonourable to pay any respect to Jesus. There were few or none of
Jairus's character who publickly owned. him for the Christ. ...
/.../section ii particulars.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
... inconsistence. Jairus might believe in Jesus and come to him to heal his daughter,
and yet not publickly confess him to be the Christ. ...
/.../section vi answer to mr.htm

Of the Distribution of the Keys, and their Power, or of the ...
... which we heare of (to our griefe) to be practised in some places, that private
Christians ordinarily take upon them to preach the Gospel publickly, and to ...
/.../chap ii of the distribution.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Third Objection.
... Indeed the widow of Naim's son was in some sense chosen but since he was publickly
carried forth to burial, and the meeting of the corpse was perfectly casual ...
/.../section iii answer to mr.htm

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... done by any one, who also taught the same spiritual heavenly doctrine that Jesus
did, and nothing else; and who converted and taught as publickly as Jesus did ...
/.../answer to the jewish rabbys.htm

Confessio Fidei Scotican?? ii.
... the Confession of our Faith, stablished, and publickly confirmed by sundrie Actis
of Parliaments, and now of a lang tyme hath been openlie professed by the ...
/.../confessio fidei scoticanae ii.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Fourth Objection.
... miracle. A fraud is as easy to happen in a person who has been dead and buried
many weeks, as in one publickly carried out to burial. ...
/.../section iv answer to mr.htm

Articuli xxxix. Ecclesi?? Anglican??. AD 1562.
... Head or Master of a College, or any other person respectively in either of them,
shall affix any new sense to any Article, or shall publickly read, determine ...
/.../articuli xxxix ecclesiae anglicanae a d.htm

Of the Subject to whom to the Key of Church Priviledge, Power, or ...
... the offender and his offence, and the proofes thereof, to prepare the matter and
ripen it for the Churches cognizance: but doe also publickly revise the heads ...
/.../chap iiii of the subject.htm

Publickly (2 Occurrences)
...Publickly (2 Occurrences). Acts 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that
publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (KJV). ...
/p/publickly.htm - 6k

Publicly (31 Occurrences)

/p/publicly.htm - 16k

Mightily (36 Occurrences)
... Mightily (36 Occurrences). Acts 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that
publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (KJV WBS). ...
/m/mightily.htm - 18k

Publick (1 Occurrence)

/p/publick.htm - 6k

Convinced (26 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing
by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/c/convinced.htm - 13k

Shewed (105 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but
have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, (KJV). ...
/s/shewed.htm - 36k

Shewing (23 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY YLT). Acts 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly,
shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (KJV DBY YLT). ...
/s/shewing.htm - 13k

Taught (134 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed
you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, (KJV WBS NIV). ...
/t/taught.htm - 36k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus