HIS WITNESSES TO OUR PEOPLE

4/25/2023

April 25-Start Your Day Right Devotion

Acts 13:31 And for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

HIS WITNESSES TO OUR PEOPLE

A witness (Greek martus) is “one who testifies by actions or words to the truth.” Christian witnesses are those who confirm and testify to the spiritually saving work of Jesus Christ by word, actions, lifestyle and, if necessary, even death. Witnessing involves seven principles:

Christian witnessing is the responsibility of all followers of Christ (Acts 1:8; Matthew 4:19; Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20).
Christian witnesses must be missionary-minded (Acts 13:2; Acts 2:3), determined to communicate the massage of Christ to all people of all cultures in all nations – to the ends of the earth (Acts 11:18; Acts 13:2; Acts 2:3; Acts 2:4; Acts 26:18; Matthew 28:19; Matthew 19:20; Luke 24:47).
Christian witnesses speak mainly about the meaning of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, saving power and promised gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:32, Acts 2:38; Acts 2:39; Acts 3:15; Acts 10:39-41, 43: Acts 18:5; Acts 26:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
Christian witnesses must allow the Holy Spirit to work through them to bring conviction (to expose and convince people of their spiritual need). This concerns their guilt in regard to sin against God, their need for a right relationship with Him through Christ and their ultimate accountability to God (Acts 2:37: Acts 2:38; Acts 2:39; Acts 2:40; Acts 7:51; Acts 7:53-54; 24:24-25; John 16:8). This kind of God-inspired witness will challenge people to respond to God with faith and to accept a personal relationship with Him (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:33; Acts 6:7; Acts 11:21).
Christian witnesses at times will suffer (Acts 7:57-60; Acts 22:20; 2 Corinthians 11:23-29). The word “martyr” (one who dies for a cause of belief) comes from the Greek word for witness. Discipleship involves commitment, no matter what the cost.
Christian witnessing must involve separation from the ungodly practices of the world (Acts 2:40). It must stem from a life that follows God’s standards of right and wrong (Romans 14:17) and relies totally on the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29; Acts 4:30; Acts 4:31; Acts 4:33). As a result, God’s presence and power will be obvious in the life of the witness (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Christian witnessing is prophetic in that it involves using one’s voice to honor God through the power (Acts1:8) and inspiration (Acts 2:4; Acts 4:8) of the Holy Spirit.

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