Let the redeemed of the Lord say so

When cornered, how do we react? 

Attack?

Retreat?

Run?

Hide (in plain sight)?

Lie?

The list could go on.

What if we're asked,

"Hey, what's your religion?"

"Are you a spiritual person?"

"You into God or what?"

Wouldn't many of us be embarrassed to be trapped by these questions?

Some would confess openly their church or religious affiliation, to wear it proudly like a medal.

But what if pressed further?

"Oh really? I had no idea. Tell me more."

We may not know what to say unless it's to repeat some "talking points" that we've heard.

Are believers to proclaim boldly what or who they have faith in?

Are believers NOT to care if they're perceived in negative ways? 

Should we at LEAST care that the name of God isn't insulted by non-believers because of us? Romans 2:21-24

A BELIEVER'S RESPONSE

WHAT should we say?

HOW should we say it?

WHEN should we say it?

To WHOM should we say it?

Let's see some possible answers to these questions.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples:

"Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

"But what about you?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:13-16

Jesus said,

"I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it.

And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say." John 12:49-50

Should today's followers of Jesus say what He said, which would be what the Father commanded?

Then Jesus came to them [disciples] and said, 

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

Yes, believers should teach others to obey what Jesus commanded.

But in your hearts sanctify [set apart as number one in our lives] Christ as Lord.

Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you.

But respond with gentleness and respect,

keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15-16

Be ready to be a witness to the Lord Jesus Christ Acts 1:8 and His saving ability. Romans 10:13; Hebrews 7:25

And be controlled and motivated by His gentleness, humility, Matthew 11:28-30 and respect for everyone. Matthew 5:44-45; Luke 6:35

When Paul was cornered, in fact, on trial for his faith, Acts 26:6 he said,

"But I have had God's help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike.

I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen:

that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people [Jews] and to the Gentiles." [non-Jews] Acts 26:22-23

In the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament, there are words used to describe HOW believers shared Jesus.

For examples,

Disputing. Acts 6:9

Reasoned. Acts 17:2

Disputed. Acts 17:17

Reasoned and persuaded. Acts 18:4

Reasoned. Acts 18:19

Disputing and persuading. Acts 19:8-9

Reasoned. Acts 24:25

The pattern seems to be to reason and dispute with people logically, and to persuade them about Jesus.

As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead.

"This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he declared. Acts 17:2-3

Apollos helped believers. Acts 18:27

How?

For he powerfully refuted [defeated] the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 18:28

IF believers are governed by the love of Christ, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 2 Corinthians 5:14 disputing, reasoning, persuading, and debating can be done in the innocent demeanor of doves. Matthew 10:16

It takes practice and the Lord's patience to do this. Ephesians 4:1-2; 2 Peter 3:9

And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.

He must gently reprove [correct] those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26

WHAT ABOUT BOLDNESS?

When they [Jewish leaders] saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness. Acts 4:29

After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31

Boldness was part of the character and ministry style of the first believers.

Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia.

They began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by Whom he spoke. Acts 6:8-10

This continued with Paul.

Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.

Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 28:30-31

Paul wrote,

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19

I [Paul] eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20

What about now?

Don't believers have the SAME Holy Spirit that Peter, Paul, and others had? Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:1-4, 38-39; 9:17; 10:41-48; 11:15-17; 19:1-7

WHAT IS DIVINE BOLDNESS?

Is it to be as bold as a lion because we've been made righteous because of the Lord Jesus Christ? Proverbs 28:1; Romans 5:17-21; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

YES.

Is it to NOT fear people? Proverbs 29:25

YES.

Is it to be able to communicate effectively our beliefs in Him when we share all of the good things He has provided? Philemon verse 6

YES.

Is it to be clothed with His humility and gentleness Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 5:5-6 so that He is seen and His words and tone heard as most important, Colossians 1:18 NOT ours? John 3:30; 2 Corinthians 2:17

YES.

Is divine boldness to have the fruit of His Holy Spirit growing large Galatians 5:22-23 so that others may rest under the shadow of this fruit tree? Mark 4:30-32; John 15:5

YES.

Is it to depend on the Holy Spirit Mark 13:11; John 16:13-15; Romans 8:14 to know when to give a good confession John 18:33-37; 19:10-11; 1 Timothy 6:13 and when to be silent? Matthew 27:12-14; Luke 23:8-9

YES.

Is it to speak as spokespersons for the Lord 2 Corinthians 5:20 and serve with the abilities that He gives? Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:11

YES.

Is it to talk about the Lord Jesus Christ to others because we know that He will confess us before the Father? Matthew 10:32

YES.

Is it to be among people as those who serve as the Lord Jesus Christ did? Mark 10:45; Luke 22:24-27; John 13:4-5, 12-15; 21:9-14

YES.

Let's go and do likewise.

NO SHAME

Let's NOT be ashamed of the Savior nor His words. Luke 9:26

Let's NOT be ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it's the power of God the Father to save everyone and anyone who believes. Romans 1:16

Let's not be ashamed. Period.

Why?

Because those who put their trust in Him will never be ashamed. Romans 9:33; 10:11; 1 Peter 2:6

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy. Psalm 107:2

Your thoughts?

R. Jason