YOU ARE A WITNESS
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses... Acts 1:8
DEVOTIONAL
The Greek word translated "witnesses" in Acts 1:8 carries the idea of someone who testifies about what they have seen, heard, or know to be true. It is the picture of someone called to the witness stand to provide evidence.
A witness is not responsible for knowing everything. A witness is responsible for telling what they know.
That truth removes some of the pressure we often associate with evangelism. You do not need to possess a theology degree. You do not have to answer every difficult question, explain every passage in the Bible, or win every argument. You need to know the heart of the gospel: Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and offers salvation to everyone who places their faith in Him.
You also have your testimony. You can tell someone what Jesus has done in your life. You can say, "This is who I was. This is how I encountered Jesus. This is what He is doing within me."
Your testimony does not have to be dramatic to be powerful. Some people can identify one sudden moment when everything changed. Others grew up around faith and gradually recognized their need to personally follow Jesus. Both stories reveal the grace of God.
Notice that Jesus didn't merely tell His followers to occasionally engage in witnessing. He said they would be His witnesses. Witnessing is not simply an activity added to a Christian schedule. It is part of our identity as Spirit-filled followers of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit was not given merely so we could feel God's presence during a worship service. He empowers us to carry the presence and message of Jesus beyond the service. He gives us courage when we feel nervous, words when we feel unprepared, and compassion for people we might otherwise overlook.
We are not attorneys called to win every argument. We are witnesses called to tell the truth about Jesus.
REFLECT
What has Jesus done in my life that I could share with someone else?
What fears keep me from speaking about my faith?
How does the meaning of "witness" change the way I think about evangelism?
TODAY'S STEP
Write your testimony in three parts: who you were, how you encountered Jesus, and what He has done in your life. Practice sharing it in two or three minutes.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, empower me to be a witness for Jesus. Give me courage to speak, wisdom to know when to speak, and compassion for the person listening. Help me stop focusing upon everything I do not know and faithfully share what I do know: Jesus has saved me and changed my life. Amen.
DEVOTIONAL
The Greek word translated "witnesses" in Acts 1:8 carries the idea of someone who testifies about what they have seen, heard, or know to be true. It is the picture of someone called to the witness stand to provide evidence.
A witness is not responsible for knowing everything. A witness is responsible for telling what they know.
That truth removes some of the pressure we often associate with evangelism. You do not need to possess a theology degree. You do not have to answer every difficult question, explain every passage in the Bible, or win every argument. You need to know the heart of the gospel: Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and offers salvation to everyone who places their faith in Him.
You also have your testimony. You can tell someone what Jesus has done in your life. You can say, "This is who I was. This is how I encountered Jesus. This is what He is doing within me."
Your testimony does not have to be dramatic to be powerful. Some people can identify one sudden moment when everything changed. Others grew up around faith and gradually recognized their need to personally follow Jesus. Both stories reveal the grace of God.
Notice that Jesus didn't merely tell His followers to occasionally engage in witnessing. He said they would be His witnesses. Witnessing is not simply an activity added to a Christian schedule. It is part of our identity as Spirit-filled followers of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit was not given merely so we could feel God's presence during a worship service. He empowers us to carry the presence and message of Jesus beyond the service. He gives us courage when we feel nervous, words when we feel unprepared, and compassion for people we might otherwise overlook.
We are not attorneys called to win every argument. We are witnesses called to tell the truth about Jesus.
REFLECT
What has Jesus done in my life that I could share with someone else?
What fears keep me from speaking about my faith?
How does the meaning of "witness" change the way I think about evangelism?
TODAY'S STEP
Write your testimony in three parts: who you were, how you encountered Jesus, and what He has done in your life. Practice sharing it in two or three minutes.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, empower me to be a witness for Jesus. Give me courage to speak, wisdom to know when to speak, and compassion for the person listening. Help me stop focusing upon everything I do not know and faithfully share what I do know: Jesus has saved me and changed my life. Amen.
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