A WITNESS FOR JESUS
As Christians, the Bible tells us we are to give an answer to every man who asks us:
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense/answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
That phrase “give an answer/defense” is from the Greek word apologia, from which we get our English word apologetics–It means a legal defense, as in a court of law.
But we are to keep in mind that as we make our case in the courtroom of public opinion with those we are speaking with, we are not there as prosecuting attorneys, but as witnesses.
**And witnesses simply testify to what they have seen.
In 2 Timothy 2:24–25 we are reminded that “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition.”
Chapters 1 through 6 of the book of Acts describe one of the most glorious works of God in history.
It is an amazing sequence of action-filled events: powerful preaching, mass conversions, miraculous healings.
All were the fulfillment of a divine promise foretold by Jesus.
Before Jesus resurrection, Christ instructed the disciples to wait in Jerusalem to receive the “promise of the Father.”
“I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49, ESV).
We should want the Holy Spirit to fill our sanctuaries, to bring joy and comfort to God’s people.
***But when God’s glory comes, it will not be for our benefit alone.
Jesus did not say, “When you receive power from on high, you shall be My churchgoers, My Bible studiers, My prayer meeting attenders.”
Jesus said, “You will be My witnesses to the ends of the earth.”
God’s power is meant to go beyond the walls of the church to the very farthest reaches of the world. That is what we see unfolding in the book of Acts.
*When Peter got up to preach to the crowd that had gathered, three
thousand were saved.
*Later, as Peter and John testified throughout Jerusalem, signs and wonders followed in miraculous healings and deliverances.
Yet that was only the beginning! If the work of the Spirit had stopped in Acts 6, all the power of God would have remained in the hands of twelve apostles.
Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Instead, a big shift took place. God said, “My Spirit will no longer
move through just a select few. I am going to empower every man, woman and child who calls on My name.”
AMEN