Bible Reading: Isaiah 35-36; Philippians 3
“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”. – Acts 1:8 (KJV)
Jesus Christ commands us to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. We are to proclaim his Good News to all people, everywhere and at all times. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven He told His disciples what they were to do when they received the Holy Spirit. They were to be witnesses of all they have seen. They were commanded by their Master Jesus to go into the entire world and proclaim the glorious gospel of the Kingdom of God that reconciliation of man with God was available through Jesus Christ. “And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:48-49 (KJV)
By implication, the church receives the same mandate from the Son of God and leading of the Holy Spirit, the church brings the same message as the apostles of old did to witnessing Christ to all the world. When the Holy Spirit of God convinces a person that God has opened the way of reconciliation to Himself (God) through His Son, that person automatically becomes a witness for Christ because of the experience of new birth and regeneration of his spirit from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God.
The fellowship we have with the Spirit through faith convict and convince us of the truth of the gospel and the saving grace at work in Christ, thereby turning our hearts and mind to God. Knowing the facts surrounding the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Son of God to be true, we believe in Him, and we are empowered to tell others about Him.
Our witnessing has to become a very personal thing to release the power of God unto salvation. Witnessing to others is not talking about religion, or about church, or even talking about some of the doctrines of the church. Witnessing to others is bringing them to an understanding of how much they need Jesus as their Savior. That means making them aware of the fact that they have sinned against a most holy God and they need to be reconciled to Him. “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20 (KJV)
When you witness for Christ, you are not on your own. Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” Acts 1:8 (KJV). The power to witness comes from the Power of the Holy Spirit, which convicts a sinner for repentance and reconcile them to God.
Prayer: Father, endue me with the Power of the Holy Spirit to witness Christ to my world in Jesus Name.
Pastor Alfred Samuel