When it comes to witnessing to other people, what may come to mind is street preaching, mission trips and crusades. Some might assume that this is the work of seasoned evangelists, local ministry leaders or extroverted Christians. However, this kind of thought process can unintentionally create a bystander effect and doesn’t encourage active involvement.
The truth is, every person who has made the decision to follow Jesus Christ is called to be a witness. A witness is an individual who was present, and is willing to give an account of what they have seen or heard. Being a witness may sound daunting, especially if we don’t know how to go about it. What can we learn from the disciples so that we can be effective witnesses?
1. Holy Spirit.
After Jesus’ resurrection, he spent 40 days with his disciples and taught them about the kingdom of God. He reminded them of what was to take place – the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). This was not their first time hearing about this. Towards the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he reassured them that they would not be like orphans (John 14:18). The Holy Spirit who is ‘the Helper’ will be with them. He will teach them and remind them of what they have learnt (John 14:26). Just before he ascended into heaven, these were his following words,
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
All of this sounded great but there was only one problem. They did not know the estimated time of arrival. Like all promises God has made, it requires patience (which does not come easy to us). Some might see this as a road bump or a “delay” especially when the Lord has already commissioned them. It would have been tempting to rush ahead as we sometimes do. What was so special about waiting on the Holy Spirit, that they couldn’t just run with the vision?
The word ‘power’ in the original Greek language is dynamis which means ‘strength, ability, influence and resources in numbers’ (Strong’s Lexicon, 2026). This meant the power they would receive was beyond human capabilities. It was not by their might but by His spirit. If the disciples wanted to be effective in ministry, they needed to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
It was for this reason that they were able to speak with authority, teach biblical truths that were beyond their intellect (or educational background). They performed signs and wonders that could not be explained. People were in awe and gave resources to advance their ministry (Acts 2:42-44), they grew in numbers and had the attention of leaders in high positions.
From the outpouring of the spirit, the disciples received spiritual gifts which were avenues to preach the gospel. The miracles, healing, deliverance, prophecies, word of knowledge, wisdom and speaking in tongues was not to glorify themselves but to glorify Jesus Christ (Acts 2:1-12; Acts 3:6-10; Acts 6:8; Acts 8:4-13 etc). This was how they could reach unsaved people, who were just as enticed by supernatural encounters as our generation is today. The beautiful thing is, the outcome remained the same. It led to joy, people praising God and repentance unto salvation.
The disciples could not have been effective witnesses of Christ without the help of the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit who led the disciples in their ministry, where to go and who to talk to. The same Holy Spirit in the New Testament is still with us today. If He led the disciple Philip, to meet an Ethiopian eunuch at just the right time (Acts 8:26-34), then He can also lead us in our interactions with others. The most important thing is that we are continually filled with the Holy Spirit, so that we can be sensitive to the opportunities that may arise.
2. Boldness.
When Jesus used the word witness, it also had another meaning beyond the legal sense. The word witness in Greek is martys. This is where we get the word martyr from in our English dictionary. A martyr is one who remains steadfast to their faith, even unto death. What makes Christianity different is a martyr was not practiced – it was the outcome of persecution. Jesus had already prepared his disciples beforehand on what would occur for the sake of His name (Luke 21:12-17).
If the disciples were going to be witnesses, boldness was necessary. When the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples, they were no longer the same men who followed Jesus for 3.5 years. The same Peter that denied Jesus three times before his crucifixion (Luke 22:54-62), was the same Peter who preached a message before many in Jerusalem and three thousand people called upon the name of the Lord and were saved (Acts 2:14-41).
This was not beginner’s luck, neither did the disciples enrol in a course on ‘how to be bold’. They were bold because of the Holy Spirit at work in them, and this was visible to all who were familiar with them. After the healing of the lame beggar, both Peter and John were taken into court for questioning. When they gave an answer, even the scribes could not deny that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognised that they had been with Jesus.
They were no longer intimidated by men because they were intimate with God, and knew that He was with them. Jesus had promised them that He would be with them until the end. Sometimes fear can be one of the reasons why we are afraid to witness to people. But, we must remember that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (1 Timothy 1:7).
Whatever our fear may be, we can ask the Lord in prayer for boldness. The early church had genuine fears, for they were on the frontlines for their faith. However, they acknowledged who was in control. Their attention shifted from earthly rulers to the Sovereign Lord (Acts 4:24-26). When they heard about how the officials threatened Peter and John not to preach or teach about Jesus, they gathered together in prayer.
Acts 4:29-31
And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
3. Testimony & Truth.
If you have ever watched a law movie or TV series, you might have noticed that when a witness comes forward, they testify about what they have seen and/or heard. Similarly, the disciples were witnesses who testified of Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension. It was because of their intimacy with Jesus and being discipled by him, that they were able to teach and disciple, so that others may have fellowship with God.
1 John 1:3
that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Although we were not around when Jesus walked the earth, we have seen (in the spiritual sense) what He has done in our personal lives and those around us. People can argue about the bible, but they cannot dispute a testimony, especially a life that is radically transformed. Our testimony is the evidence or report that we share with others, not to convince but to point them to Christ. When was the last time that we have shared our testimony with someone?
The disciples were faithful witnesses because regardless of what they faced, they did not waiver or compromise in their convictions. In their letters to the churches, they encouraged their fellow brethren to walk in the fear of the Lord amongst unbelievers, regardless of how they respond to their faith (1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 3:13-16). Sometimes, the reason why people are repelled by the gospel is because there is a disconnect between our words and our walk with Christ. How we live communicates to others who we truly serve.
Along with our testimony, we must also preach [proclaim] the gospel truth. Witnesses did more than share their testimony. They spoke the truth even if it offends their hearers. The disciples did not alter their message because of their audience. It did not matter if they were standing before their fellow Jews, Gentiles or governmental leaders. Their approach may have differed but the core message was still the same.
Acts 4:11-12
This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The disciples went from town to town, country to country proclaiming what Jesus Christ had done. When people mocked them, this did not discourage them. Whether people accepted or rejected the truth, that was beyond their control. They dusted their feet and kept moving because they had a mission. Jesus commanded them to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).
It’s easy to think the whole world is another country away, but the ‘whole world’ means the inhabitants of the earth. This includes the cashier at the local grocery store, our neighbour down the street, the homeless person in the park and the stranger we walk past every day. There is not one person whom Jesus Christ did not die for. Our job is to plant the seed, pray for them and trust that the next person will be obedient to water the seed. We may not get to see the end result, but God does.
God bless,
Susan.
