The Apostles: Warned Against a Timid Profession of Christ
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In the New Testament, the apostles are repeatedly admonished against making a timid profession of their faith in Jesus Christ. This warning is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Himself, who emphasized the importance of boldness and courage in proclaiming the Gospel. The apostles, as the primary messengers of Christ's teachings, were expected to demonstrate unwavering commitment and fearlessness in their mission.

Biblical Foundation

The call to avoid a timid profession is explicitly stated in the Gospels. In Matthew 10:32-33 , Jesus declares, "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven." This passage underscores the necessity for the apostles to openly and courageously acknowledge their allegiance to Christ, regardless of the potential consequences.

Similarly, in Luke 9:26 , Jesus warns, "If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." This admonition serves as a stark reminder to the apostles of the eternal implications of their earthly testimony.

The Apostolic Example

The apostles, despite facing severe persecution and opposition, exemplified the boldness required in their profession of faith. The Book of Acts provides numerous accounts of their fearless proclamation of the Gospel. In Acts 4:13 , it is noted, "When they 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." This boldness was not a natural trait but a result of their deep conviction and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Peter and John, when commanded by the Sanhedrin to cease speaking in the name of Jesus, responded with unwavering resolve in Acts 4:19-20 : "But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.'" Their response highlights the apostles' commitment to prioritizing divine authority over human authority.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The apostles' ability to avoid a timid profession was significantly bolstered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus had promised them in John 14:26 , "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." The Holy Spirit provided the apostles with the courage, wisdom, and words necessary to boldly proclaim the Gospel.

In Acts 1:8 , Jesus further assures them, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This empowerment was crucial for the apostles to fulfill their mission without fear or hesitation.

Implications for Believers

The apostles' example serves as a model for all believers, emphasizing the importance of a bold and unashamed profession of faith. The warnings against a timid profession are not limited to the apostles but extend to all followers of Christ. The call to be unashamed of the Gospel is echoed by the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:16 : "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek."

Believers are encouraged to draw strength from the Holy Spirit, as the apostles did, to stand firm in their faith and to proclaim the message of Christ with confidence and courage, regardless of societal pressures or personal trials.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 10:27-33
What I tell you in darkness, that speak you in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach you on the housetops.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Acts X
... remember the prejudice of the Jews against uncircumcised Gentiles. ... the fact that
Cornelius had been "warned from God ... have this effect; for the apostles were in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts x.htm

John Calvin. His Life and Character.
... Cop was warned, and fled to Basle; Calvin"as ... others, he was far more severe against
himself, and ... pupil, and esteemed him the greatest man after the Apostles. ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 56 john calvin his.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... men urged it; and Christ defended the Apostles, who had ... And this you may do by
inveighing against the laws ... and so many be defiled, as Paul warned the Hebrews ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/concerning christian liberty.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... men urged it; and Christ defended the Apostles, who had ... And this you may do by
inveighing against the laws ... and so many be defiled, as Paul warned the Hebrews ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning christian liberty.htm

Confessio Augustana.
... and the dead, according as he Apostles' Creed declareth ... showed in no other thing
than against the marriage ... great comfort it bringeth to timid consciences; that ...
/.../the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/confessio augustana.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... had been refreshed, comforted, and supported against the temptations ... that they were
addressed to the apostles, who had ... from the promises, with a timid hope of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... the Old Testament with that of the apostles in the ... find in Manich??us an irrational
fancy against having children. ... with honor, because he had been warned by God ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... and listened while the good man warned them from his ... whatever might be said for or
against the propriety ... themselves by practising the ordinary profession of a ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

Resources
What are false apostles? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the twelve (12) disciples / apostles of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Apostles' Creed? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Apostles

Apostles: A Title Distinguishing the Twelve Disciples

Apostles: Authority of Commission of, Above

Apostles: Commission of

Apostles: Duties of Commission of, Above,

Apostles: Fail to Comprehend the Nature and Mission of Jesus

Apostles: False

Apostles: Forsake Jesus

Apostles: Inspiration of

Apostles: Miraculous Power Given To

Apostles: Moral State of, Before Pentecost

Apostles: Names of

Apostles: Selection of

Apostles: Slow to Receive Jesus, As Messiah

Apostles: Unlearned

The Apostles were Hated by the World

The Apostles were not of the World

The Apostles were Unlearned Men

The Apostles: Called by Christ

The Apostles: Called by God

The Apostles: Called by The Holy Spirit

The Apostles: Christ Always Present With

The Apostles: Christ Pre-Eminently Called "The Apostle"

The Apostles: Empowered to Work Miracles

The Apostles: Equal Authority Given to Each of

The Apostles: Guided by the Spirit Into all Truth

The Apostles: Humility Urged Upon

The Apostles: Instructed by the Spirit to Answer Adversaries

The Apostles: Mutual Love Urged Upon

The Apostles: Ordained by Christ

The Apostles: Persecutions and Sufferings of

The Apostles: Received Their Title from Christ

The Apostles: Saw Christ in the Flesh

The Apostles: Selected from Obscure Stations

The Apostles: Self-Denial Urged Upon

The Apostles: Sent First to the House of Israel

The Apostles: Sent to Preach the Gospel to all Nations

The Apostles: Specially Devoted to the office of the Ministry

The Apostles: The Holy Spirit Given To

The Apostles: Warned Against a Timid Profession of Christ

The Apostles: Witnesses of the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

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The Apostles: The Holy Spirit Given To
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