FOOD FOR TEEN: WITNESSES (PROOF PRODUCERS)

The last words of Jesus before He ascended unto heaven can be found in 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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." He asked us to be witnesses of Him, and the early church ran with this mandate and they did exploits even to the ends of the earth, as few as they were, yet their message was heard all over the world, and thousands of years later even without modern technology even with serious persecution they succeeded in spreading the gospel to the four corners of the earth. What was their secret? How did this happen?

If you look at our opening text, you will discover that Jesus told them what to do to be witnesses of Him, before we find out what He asked them to do, let's understand who a witness is. One which furnishes evidence or proof. There are two major ways proofs are provided in the court of law;

(1) By superior knowledge: when a witness comes before a judge one of his main purpose is to prove that he or she experienced an event or could determine the real outcome of an event by superior knowledge. He or she must paint a picture of the event that occurred with a great level of accuracy, which could only be known by someone who was really present during the occurrence of the event in question. They speak with certainty and great knowledge, they answer questions which those who were not part of the event can't answer, they provide context, they fill in the missing link beyond reasonable doubt, which helps the judge to come to the full understanding of what transpired in the event in question. This is how true witnesses are identified, when Philip could give context to the gospel to Ethiopian eunuch and made him understand how what was prophesied by Isaiah thousands of years earlier could directly impart his life, he quickly accepted the gospel. When Paul spoke concerning the last supper, he spoke with great accuracy as one who was present even though he wasn't; 1st Corinthians 11:23, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread" These men spoke from a place of deep knowledge of God's word, as one who has been directly affected by the gospel they preach.

The problem with many people who claim to witness Christ today is that they do it from a place of ignorance, they try to give what they don't have. That is why we are told in 2nd Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." You could be zealous to preach the gospel but if you don't first spend time intensely studying God's word, you won't be very effective. There are questions and thirst in the heart of men that God want to answer and quench but when you go about this work half baked, a lot of people are not going to buy what you are selling because you don't seem to be fully persuaded of the gospel you are preaching because if you truly believe, you would have had clarity to this same questions that will arise. Acts 4:13 says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Mark 3:14, “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,.” Jesus didn't just send His disciples out but first to be with Him and learn of Him.

(2) By corresponding actions or demonstration of power: No one takes a person serious who claims to have certain abilities but can't seem to demonstrate them. If you look closely everytime Jesus would send His disciples out to preach the gospel, the first thing He did was give them power to confirm His Word through them. Luke 10:9, "And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." He told them to wait for the Holy Ghost before they launched out because He knew that they wouldn't have been effective witnesses without His power. The demonstration of His Power confirms His Word. Even Jesus didn't start His earthly ministry without power. Luke 4:14, “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.” Sadly many Christians have neglected this power aspect of evangelism, when you look at the early church, it was an integral part of their soul winning. Just by one miracle done through Peter and John, more than 5000 souls were won, that tells you how effective you could be when you allow God to work miracles through you. There are some who claim to be witnesses but do not manifest his power, even God told us in His Word to turn away from such. 2nd Timothy 3:5, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

James 2:15-16, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, [16] And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Remember Paul told us in 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.” The gospel itself is power. 1st Corinthians 1:17-18, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

Lastly, to be an effective witnesses of Jesus and manifest His wisdom and power, we need the Holy Ghost to work through us by faith by continually yielding ourselves to prayers and the study of His Word so that it can be said of us as it was said of the apostles "these that have turned the world upside down" for Jesus Sake. God bless you and have a splendid month ahead.