AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES

Just before Jesus was ascended to His Father, He told His disciples to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they were filled with power by the Holy Ghost.  The purpose of this outpouring of the Spirit, among other things, was that they might have power to become His witnesses. 

 

On the day of Pentecost, the Jewish feast that marked the completion of the wheat harvest, as the Apostles and other disciples were gathered together in one place, there was suddenly the sound of a rushing, mighty wind.   It filled the place, and tongues of fire lit on everyone’s head as they all began speaking in languages that they did not know as the Spirit filled them.  Thus was fulfilled the words of Jesus that they would take His Words to the world.  Starting at that moment, and continuing until this very day, the Word was spread by His disciples.  Beginning in Jerusalem, and spreading to the uttermost parts of the earth, they took the gospel message to those who would hear it.  That upper room in Jerusalem was like ground zero of a nuclear explosion, the shockwaves of which spread out to the world.  Like the epicenter of an earthquake that shook the world to its foundations, it changed the world forever.

 

This commission of God to be witnesses to the world of the faith that we have received was not just intended for those who are ministers, or evangelists, or Bible theologians.  It is intended for everyone who names the name of Christ and claims Him as his Lord and Savior.  This is not, however, a task that we can accomplish on our own.  No, this is a job that we must be empowered to do by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said, “For John [the Baptist] truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 2:38).  This was not a special occurrence that was just for the 120 souls who were gathered on the day of Pentecost.  That very day Peter stood up and spoke to the crowd of unbelieving Jews who were drawn to the spot by what they saw and heard happening.  He said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38).  The number of souls who accepted Christ at this invitation was about 3,000.  These were consequently filled with the Spirit, and they then became empowered to be witnesses also.

 

The scripture tells us that the Spirit gave them utterance.  We must understand that all of our evangelistic programs, and special meetings, and door to door campaigns are totally useless unless the Spirit is leading and anointing the work.  Unless the Spirit gives you and me utterance, then we have nothing to tell the lost that will produce a lasting change.  “The wind bloweth where it listeth (wants to), and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).  It is necessary for us to learn to be sensitive to how the Spirit of God is moving.  We cannot command the wind or the direction that it blows, but we can be aware when it begins to breathe upon us, and get our sails up!  It is the Lord Who calls the unbeliever to Himself.  Jesus said, “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.”  Therefore evangelism is a work that He must orchestrate from beginning to the end; and it is you and I who are to be His instruments, His witnesses. 

 

Three young men that I know had recently gathered to study the Bible.  As they were leaving the place where they had met, they encountered a man on a motorcycle.  They greeted him, and he opened his heart to them and told them that if he had a Bible, he would try to get his life straightened around.  One of the young men, who was holding his Bible in his hands said, “Here you can have mine.”  That motorcyclist, who was a perfect stranger, called out to God right then and there!

 

The word “witness” implies a verbal testimony, but it is much more than that.  It is also our example: the day-to-day life that we live out before the world.  People are much more interested, initially, in what we do than they are in what we say.  For example, if we profess to serve the Prince of Peace but cannot control our own temper, then this contradiction is going to hurt our witness.  If folks are convinced by what they see in the witness of our life, though, they will come to us and listen to what we have to say.  I know of a couple whose neighbor said to them one day, “You’re going to think I’m a peeping Tom, but I see your family through our windows, and you are always laughing, and happy, and enjoying one another.  My life isn’t like that.  What do you have that I don’t?”  They shared the gospel with their neighbor that day because of what she saw in their lives; and they never even knew they were being watched!  This is why we must be empowered as Christians by the Holy Spirit.  It is not just to give us utterance, but to give us power to live a life that is above reproach. 

 

If you have truly repented, not just said “I’m sorry” to God, but truly turned away from your sins, and have been baptized into Christ, then you will receive the power of the Holy Ghost.  You will be a witness.  He will give you the boldness, and He will give you the power!  Have you known this power in your life?  If not, then ask Christ to fill you today.  Will you accept His call to be a witness?

 

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23).

 

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:14-17).