Turn to Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
What is a witness? The word defined is
1. Somebody who gives evidence after seeing or hearing something
2. A person who gives testimony in court
3. Testimony or evidence to bear witness to the truth
That reminds me of a statement Paul made in
2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
How can we be a witness for truth, for Christ knowing that we were not there when Christ lived on this earth?
The early disciples were eye witnesses, because they walked with Him as a man
Revelation 1:5 says Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
Turn to 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
1 John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
I just wondered how many believed the disciples by these verses?
We can’t be a eye witness for Christ,
But yet we can be a witness that can prove He was real and is the only Saviour of the world
Gods word is a witness that reveals many statements about the reality of God,
But the bible cannot speak for itself!
Can we look at this book and say “book speak to me?
No! but yes!!!
Lets look at 2 Corinthians 3:1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
2 Corinthians 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Without His Spirit, the word will kill us spiritually.
God Almighty speaks to us not with a literal voice, but buy His Spirit
Jesus tells us in John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
When the revelation of truth is come an individual then the bible speaks not by the actual book, but by the Spirit of God
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
Gods people may be the only bible that they read!
Ye shall be witnesses
Like the song that I love that says
“If my life’s an open book for everyone to read,
Each page another day to show along the way,
All you’ve done for me, fill each chapter with Your love,
And guide me from up above, if my life’s an open book,
Lord when they take a look, I hope it’s You they see.
Let us ask ourselves this question!
Are we the only Bible that a person can read to prove it’s power and it’s Authority?
Turn to 2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
What are the main points revealed or stated in the Bible that proves us to be witnesses?
Does the working of miracles in mighty signs and wonders prove that we are a witness for Christ? as described in Mark 16;17 which says; “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Just look at the condition of the average so called religious healer in the land today, they claim to manifest the power of God in signs and wonders
Turn to
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
What does these blind leaders have to says about living a holy life which means, walking perfect in the sight of God?
Isaiah 8:20 says if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Simply put!! they have no truth, the Spirit of the living God is not in them
The book of Revelations has something to say about these false prophets.
Look at
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Just why did Christ come to this earth and revealed himself as a man, and die on a cross?
The bible says in Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
He came to give us life because!!, we are born into this world
“DEAD IN TRESSPASSES AND SIN
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
WE can be a true living witness of the life that Christ give to the believer,
But what does this life consist of?
We can prove we are a true witness and that we are a peculiar people; show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
We are a true light by the way we live our lives?
By the things we do, By the words we speak.
Remember what Isaiah 8:20 says “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
If we are to be a true witness and a light for Christ, then we must walk in the light as He is in the light, right?
WE are proven to be victorious over comers by the word of our testimony
Turn to
Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Revelation 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
See by the word of our testimony It’s not stated here by miracles however, it is a miracle life. Few there be that find it!
But how about those that will not believe our testimony?
God’s not gonna give us the ability to perform miricles to cause people to believe His word!
There will be no sign given as stated in Mark 8:12 saying “Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. The same is true in this generation.
Is a christian life always a struggle striving to convince others of scriptural salvation?
Of what God’s word has to says concerning a true wirness
Yes we are to be concerned about other’s, we keep the faith but we are to share it with other’s
But to what degree?
We know that Jesus and His disciples performed many miracles which in return caused many to believe on Him. But it did not save them.
They were like as we are, just to believe on Christ will not save us
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
WE must believe the Gospel to be saved which is what a true believing witness is.
Does miracle working ministies prove that they are preaching the Gospel?
Yes and no
The greatest miracle is a changed life, and only the preaching of the gospel can
“Make A True Witness For Jesus” Now that’s a miracle
And that is exactly what Jesus meant by what He said in LOOK AT
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Again, yes a Christian’s life I believe will always struggle striving to convince others of the hope that is within us
I like what Jesus said in
John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. Are we a living example of Christ?
How can we bring someone to the Light if we are walking in darkness
That makes us a false witness does it not?
Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. Proverbs 21:28 A false witness shall perish:
In Conclusion:
Turn to
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Hebrews 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Now that’s “A TRUE WITNESS FOR JESUS”
Song:
Lord let me be a witness for your name,
Let me ever watch the way I live, and every word I say,
Let my life, my faith and my attitude, be pleasing unto you,
Lord each and every day a pray, I’ll be a witness for Your name.