Topical Encyclopedia The character trait of boldness is a significant aspect of the life and witness of the saints, as depicted throughout the Scriptures. Boldness, in the biblical sense, is not mere human bravado or recklessness but a divinely inspired courage and confidence that stems from faith in God and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.Biblical Examples of Boldness 1. Peter and John: In the early church, the apostles Peter and John exemplified boldness in their proclamation of the gospel. After healing a lame man and preaching in the temple courts, they were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. Despite the threat of persecution, they declared, "We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). Their boldness was recognized by the religious leaders, who "saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men" (Acts 4:13). 2. Paul: The Apostle Paul is another prominent example of boldness. In his missionary journeys, he faced numerous hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and opposition. Yet, he remained steadfast in his mission. In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul requests prayer "that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains" . 3. Esther: In the Old Testament, Queen Esther displayed boldness by approaching King Xerxes uninvited, risking her life to save her people from annihilation. Her famous words, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16), reflect a profound trust in God's providence and a willingness to act courageously for the sake of others. The Source of Boldness The boldness of the saints is rooted in their relationship with God. It is a product of the Holy Spirit's work in their lives. In Acts 4:31, after the believers prayed, "the place where they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly" . This indicates that boldness is not self-generated but is a result of divine empowerment. Boldness in Prayer and Witness Boldness is also evident in the prayer life of the saints. Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers to "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" . This confidence in prayer is a reflection of the believer's trust in God's faithfulness and willingness to act on their behalf. In witnessing, boldness is essential for effectively sharing the gospel. The early church prayed for boldness in their witness, as seen in Acts 4:29: "And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness" . This prayer highlights the dependence on God for the courage to proclaim the truth in the face of opposition. Boldness and Love True boldness is always accompanied by love. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, emphasizes that love should be the driving force behind all actions, including boldness (1 Corinthians 16:14). Boldness without love can become harsh and unyielding, but when tempered by love, it becomes a powerful tool for building up the body of Christ and reaching the lost. Conclusion The character of boldness in the saints is a testament to their faith and reliance on God. It is a quality that enables them to stand firm in their convictions, proclaim the gospel fearlessly, and approach God with confidence. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of Scripture, believers are encouraged to cultivate boldness in their own lives, trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide and empower them. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 28:1The wicked flee when no man pursues: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Torrey's Topical Textbook Romans 13:3 Library The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed. Prison Meditations Directed to the Heart of Suffering Saints and ... Essential Character of the Work of Jesus. Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem ... False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ... Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ... A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad! The Saint's Heritage and Watchword Chapter xlvii Paul and his Requests for Prayer (Continued) Resources What is virtue ethics? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God change His mind? | GotQuestions.org Is God perfect? | GotQuestions.org Character: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Character of Saints: Attentive to Christ's Voice Character of Saints: Blameless and Harmless Character of Saints: Fearing God Character of Saints: Following Christ Character of Saints: Guileless Character of Saints: Hungering After Righteousness Character of Saints: Hungering for Righteousness Character of Saints: Led by the Spirit Character of Saints: Loathing Themselves Character of Saints: New Creatures Character of Saints: Poor in Spirit Character of Saints: Pure in Heart Character of Saints: Righteous Character of Saints: Steadfast Character of Saints: Taught by God Character of Saints: Taught of God Character of Saints: Undefiled Character of Saints: Zealous of Good Works Character of the Wicked: Abominable Character of the Wicked: Alienated from God Character of the Wicked: Blasphemous Character of the Wicked: Blinded Character of the Wicked: Boastful Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against God's People Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against Saints Character of the Wicked: Corrupt Character of the Wicked: Covetous Character of the Wicked: Deceitful Character of the Wicked: Delighting in the Iniquity of Others Character of the Wicked: Despising Saints Character of the Wicked: Despising the Works of the Faithful Character of the Wicked: Destructive Character of the Wicked: Disobedient Character of the Wicked: Enticing to Evil Character of the Wicked: Envious Character of the Wicked: Evildoers Character of the Wicked: Fearful Character of the Wicked: Fierce Character of the Wicked: Foolish Character of the Wicked: Forgetting God Character of the Wicked: Fraudulent Character of the Wicked: Froward Character of the Wicked: Glorying in Their Shame Character of the Wicked: Hard-Hearted Character of the Wicked: Hating the Light Character of the Wicked: Heady and High-Minded Character of the Wicked: Hostile to God Character of the Wicked: Hypocritical Character of the Wicked: Ignorant of God Character of the Wicked: Impudent Character of the Wicked: Incontinent Character of the Wicked: Infidel Character of the Wicked: Loathsome Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure More than of God Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure, not of God Character of the Wicked: Lying Character of the Wicked: Mischievous Character of the Wicked: Murderous Character of the Wicked: Persecuting Character of the Wicked: Perverse Character of the Wicked: Prayerless Character of the Wicked: Proud Character of the Wicked: Rebellious Character of the Wicked: Rejoicing in the Affliction of Saints Character of the Wicked: Reprobate Character of the Wicked: Selfish Character of the Wicked: Sensual Character of the Wicked: Sold Under Sin Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Hearted Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Necked Character of the Wicked: Uncircumcised in Heart Character of the Wicked: Unclean Character of the Wicked: Ungodly Character of the Wicked: Unholy Character of the Wicked: Unjust Character of the Wicked: Unmerciful Character of the Wicked: Unprofitable Character of the Wicked: Unruly Character of the Wicked: Unthankful Character of the Wicked: Untoward Character of the Wicked: Unwise Character: Defamation of, Punished Character: Firmness: Joseph in Resisting Potiphar's Wife Character: Instability: Israelites Character: Instability: Pharaoh Character: Instability: Reuben Character: Instability: Solomon Character: Revealed in Countenance Physiognomy: (External Aspect)): Character Revealed In Related Terms |
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