Speaking the Word Without Fear

The believers who first told the Greeks in Antioch about Jesus were ordinary people. But they were not alone. “The hand of the Lord was with them” (Acts 11:21).

Brave people get afraid too. Even Paul, the man once called Saul, needed courage. Some years after Antioch, he was teaching in a city called Corinth, and some people there were against him (Acts 18:6).

A word at night. “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent’” (Acts 18:9).

The reason. The Lord said, “for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (18:10). Paul could be brave because the Lord was with him.

Corinth. Corinth was a busy city in Greece. Some people there argued with Paul, but others listened. “Many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8).

Many people. God knew there were many people in Corinth who would believe. Paul’s job was to keep telling them about Jesus.

He stayed. “And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (18:11).

Trust and obey. Paul listened to the Lord. He did not leave the city. He stayed and kept teaching, just as the Lord had told him.

Again and again. Later, Paul was in trouble in Jerusalem. One night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul” (Acts 23:11).

The same promise. Jesus promised all His followers, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

Brave does not mean never afraid. Brave believers still feel afraid sometimes. But they trust that the Lord is with them, and they speak anyway.

What we tell. We tell the best news there is. We have all sinned, but Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.

God does the saving. Our job is to tell. Only God can change a heart, just as many in Antioch “believed and turned to the Lord” (11:21).

Brave and safe. Being brave never means keeping a secret when someone hurts you. If anyone threatens or hurts you, tell a grown-up you trust.

What we learn. The Lord is with His people when they speak about Him.

What to do. Think of one friend who does not know Jesus. Ask God to help you not be afraid to tell that friend about Him.

The believers who had been chased out of Jerusalem kept speaking about Jesus, all the way to Antioch (Acts 11:19-20). Hard times did not make them quiet. Years later, Paul saw the same thing happen.

In chains. Paul wrote a letter while he was a prisoner. He said, “the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12). Furtherance means moving forward.

The guards heard. Even the soldiers who guarded Paul learned that he was in prison because of Christ (1:13).

Braver. Then Paul wrote, “most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (1:14).

Courage spreads. When the other believers saw Paul trust God in prison, they became brave too. One person’s faith can help others be bold.

Without fear. Speaking without fear does not mean being rude or loud. It means telling the truth about Jesus kindly, even when it is hard.

Paul’s hope. Paul hoped “that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body” (1:20). Magnified means made to look great.

Not ashamed. Paul did not want to be ashamed of Jesus. He wanted people to see how great Jesus is.

Where courage comes from. The first believers prayed for boldness, and God filled them with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29-31). We can pray for courage too.

The news we share. Everyone has sinned. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead. That is news worth telling!

Antioch again. The believers who spoke to the Greeks in Antioch had already been through hard times. God used their courage to start a whole new church.

Little steps. Being bold can start small. You can pray with a friend before lunch, invite someone to church or tell a friend that Jesus loves them.

When others laugh. Some people may laugh when you talk about Jesus. Jesus understands. Keep being kind, and keep trusting Him.

Your turn. You do not have to be in chains to be brave. You can speak up for Jesus at school, at home or with a friend.

What we learn. God can use hard times to make His people braver, and He can use your courage to help others.

What to do. Ask God to make you bold. Then look for one chance this week to say something true and kind about Jesus.