Paul and Barnabas Waxed Bold – Acts 13
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” — Acts 13:46
A key ingredient to the gospel spreading around the world was bold preaching that came from the power of the Holy Spirit. We see boldness in the ministry of the Old Testament prophets, of John the Baptist, of Christ, and of the Apostles such as Paul and Barnabas.
In Acts 13, the gospel message is being contradicted and blasphemed by the Jews. In response, Paul and Barnabas “wax bold” and speak a hard truth to them, that because they rejected the gospel, they are going to the Gentiles.
Boldness here means that they spake freely, honestly, straightforwardly, and without fear. They did not allow themselves to be intimidated or to hold back from what was true and what needed to be said.
Disciples of Christ desperately need a good dose of boldness (not to be rude or to get involved in foolish arguments) but to give people the Word of God and the gospel of Christ. Too often, we hold back the truth, we allow ourselves to be intimidated, and we are actually dishonest.
We need a holy boldness that comes from the Holy Spirit. We need to be so filled with the truth of God’s Word and a desire to please the Lord, that we cannot help but say what God’s Word says to people.
Where is our boldness? Where is our courage? Where is our passion for the Lord and for truth? Where is our love that tells people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear? May God help us to “wax bold” as we go forth into the world with the gospel message.