The disciples had seen the resurrected Jesus Christ. They felt His loving heart. Now He was soon to ascend up into the clouds. His final words recorded in the book of Acts are a revelation of His heart. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me [lit. My witnesses] both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Then Jesus ascended up on high and sent the Spirit (Acts 2:33). Soon “they…went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).
Do we fit this description?
Have we learned to “receive,” that is, literally, to take the power of the Holy Spirit to witness—to talk about Jesus? To be among those Jesus describes as My witnesses? When we learn to trust to obey, as we witness, the Spirit bears witness to the heart of those to whom we lift up Jesus. Peter said, “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” (Acts 5:32). Witnessing Jesus brings hope to the hearers as the Spirit provides the double witness.
Living Jesus is vital or the message of Jesus is hindered. But we must talk about Jesus to be His witnesses. Everyday, opportunities arise to be what Jesus endearingly describes as My witnesses. If we are only focused on our agenda, we will likely miss those opportunities. But if we are in step with the Spirit, we will see and seize those opportunities as they arise. We will talk about Jesus.
This is not a matter of obnoxiously pushing religion on everyone around us. This is a matter of experiencing Jesus daily so that it would be natural to talk about what Jesus is doing for our souls. Not a forced witness out of mere duty, but a natural witness out of sheer delight. When you testify to experiencing salvation in the present tense—what Jesus is presently doing in your life, it makes the gospel witness that follows powerfully relevant.
A friend on mine experienced Jesus specifically regarding victory over a bad habit. He worked in a coffee shop. Conversations there were natural. As he sensed opportunity, he testified to how Jesus freed him from enslavement to that sin. Many were moved by the Spirit to the reality of Jesus. That opened the door for gospel witness. As a result, unbelievers were saved and backslidden believers were revived.
As we go about our daily lives, may we be sensitive to talk about Jesus, and be a part of those who Jesus called My witnesses.
John Van Gelderen
Post Author
I think the need is more than just to witness. There is a sad lack of power today that pervades the church. So many sermons, podcasts, conferences and yet where is “the Lord adding to His church day by day those who are being saved.” The promise in the verse you quoted is for power. This is what we need to talk about, what we are missing. We do not need more of the same “kind” of witnessing, but witnessing in the power of God. As Horatius Bonar aptly said, “Fields plowed and sown, yet yielding no fruit! Machinery constantly… Read more »
Thanks for your input. Agreed! That’s why I mentioned receiving/taking the power to witness.
Thanks John! I’ve been “sharing my faith” to people around me in the world and the church for years. There have been a few genuine responses and I praise God for those, but I’ve felt for years that I’m not effectively reaching people. Your post has me thinking: It’s essential to “share Jesus” (the Person Who is the Truth) out of the motive of genuine love for others who are suffering in sin rather than simply trying to be a good Christian and “share the truth.” Ignorance of the real problems in other people’s lives hinders my ability to share… Read more »
Thanks Caleb, we all need Spirit-led and empowered witness.
Yes so true, when I do my walk in the morning at the mall the Lord has given me many opportunities to share my faith with people, and when I tell them about my own experiences as a believer it’s even more powerful regardless how small or trivial, the Holy Spirit takes that witness and
applies it in a way we often no not of.
Amen!
Sèveral years ago I was reading a book on soul winning. The author mentioned something that struck me, he said that in ordet to be a witness you need to have seen something. Alot of our personal work involves a plan we have memorized in sread of sharing what God had fone for us. Thank you for your emohasis on the evidence of the Spirit’s empowerment coming as we witness. Our personal relationship with Christ gives us the “can’t help its”. We can’t help it but telling what Jesus does for us. Thanks Brother.
Thanks for your thoughts!