Bold Witnesses

“BOLD WITNESSES”

(Isaiah 60:8)

“Who are these who fly like a cloud And like the doves to their lattices?”

“Who are these that fly as a cloud?”  The cloud, you know, flies so that everybody can see it.  So do these converts fly openly before the world.  It is a matter of admiration with this church and with God’s church whenever it is increased, that the converts become so bold and fly so publicly. In the first days of the church, Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night; he was

somewhat ashamed lest he should be put out of the synagogue.  Joseph of Arimathea, the rich man was afraid to protest his Lord, and therefore loved Jesus “secretly, for fear of the Jews.” But you do not read that any of them were afraid, when God poured out the Holy Ghost on the day that Peter preached; but “they broke their bread from house to house, and did eat it in singleness of heart, praising God.” They went up to the beautiful gate of the temple, and in the very teeth of all the people, Peter and John healed the lame man. They worked their miracles openly before all men. They were not ashamed. So when there is a glorious ingathering of souls, you will always notice how bold the people become.

[Spurgeon, MTP, Vol. 1, p. 125]