“Filled with the Holy Spirit, they spoke the Word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31 NKJ).
Boldness is one of the Apostle Paul’s favorite words. In Greek it is parrhesia (par-rhay-see’-ah) which is defined as “freedom of speech, unreserved utterance, an all outspokenness with confidence and plainness.”
This kind of boldness gives the Christian the ability to express himself freely and graciously in the teeth of secular humanism, radical philosophies, arrogant unbelief, and hostile opponents of Christianity. It was when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit that they had parrhesia, this boldness with words.
It is a sad thing to me to meet from time to time good Christian people who are locked up verbally. Many times such people are victims of some childhood trauma. Some critical, judgmental, legalistic, opinionated, and overbearing relative or friend put fear into them and took away their ability to express themselves freely.
Having experienced this sort of thing in a mild way myself, I can truly empathize with anyone who does not find it easy to express himself with words.
The thing which freed me from this verbal bondage was a gracious visitation from the Lord when I was between the ages of sixteen and seventeen.
I was fulfilled by the Holy Spirit, found a new freedom of expression, and words flowed out of me in praise and adoration to the Lord.
Acts 1:8, 2:4, and 13:52 all promise this same release to anyone who will open himself to the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The result of this glorious and gracious infilling is always the same: boldness and freedom of speech.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.