I am not talking about the Scribes or Pharisees. I am talking about the world. He said, "The world .... hates me because I testify that its works are evil." John 7:7. So, if someone reacts badly because you are pointing out their sin, then remember that Jesus did the same, and the world hated Him too.
Jesus said, 'Go and preach the Gospel to all creation". He did not say, "Go and make a connection and then preach the Gospel to all creation."
I go into the parks and share the Gospel to total strangers and it only takes me 1 minute to make that connection so that I can get to a place where I can share the Gospel.
Sadly, too many Christians have made it a doctrine that we need to make a strong connection first. This then limits the amount we can share the Gospel.
Yes. Those of us who are filled with the Holy Spirit already have the green light to preach the Gospel to as many people as possible (Mark 16:15). The Holy Spirit was given not so that we would be quiet, but so that we would speak (Acts 1:8). Many times, in the bible we see time and time again, those who are filled with the Spirit spoke and they did not hold back.
"Often individuals will say, “I am willing to go, should God call me to go, in the meantime, I am going to stay.” What we need to do is go, but be willing to stay if God calls us to stay. God has already called us to go." Mark Spence
I find it strange that believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit keep so quiet about the wonderful sacrifice their saviour has made.
Those are some really good scriptures, and points you made.
Acts 1:8 especially, shows the role of the holy spirit, in preaching urgently, and speaking boldly.
I'm reminded of the situation described for us at Acts 5.
The disciples were on fire with zeal, and 'large numbers of men and women, were being added to
their number (Acts 5:14)'.
This annoyed some... chiefly, the religious leaders.
They grabbled the apostles and imprisoned them (Acts 5:17, 18).
God said, 'Really.' Sent an angel to release them, with these words...
“Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple
area the whole message of this Life.”
At this, the apostles entered into the temple
area about daybreak and
began to teach (Acts 5:19-21).
The religious leaders grabbled them against... this time, a little less forcefully, since they were afraid the people would stone them, and they had them stand before the Council. The high priest interrogated them, saying,
“We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.”
Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:27-29)
Had Gamaliel not intervened... no doubt, by God's spirit, the apostles would be dead men, right there and then (Acts 5:33, 34), because they gave a bold witness to people who were telling them to keep quiet about the things they were teaching.
The account ends with these words...
Acts 5:40-42
40 They followed his [Gamaliel] advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and
then released them.
41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for
His name.
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus
as the Christ.
Not only did the holy spirit infuse in them courage and zeal, but it also protected them from death... which they were willing to face, like Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
God's people need holy spirit to preach... among other things.