Witnesses unto Christ.
Witnesses unto Christ.
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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Christ summarizes the major essence of receiving the Holy Spirit’s power, which is clearly for witnessing. Many attribute the Holy Spirit to many unscriptural purposes and seem to use Him for their selfish desires. Of a truth, there’s no using of the Holy Spirit for self-centered purposes, rather, these people are merely operating and empowered by the flesh and the results do show eventually. The Holy Ghost is a game-changer in evangelism and discipleship, and He has the ultimate role of enabling mortal men who consecrate and dedicate themselves to the kingdom work. His enablement and empowerment far outweigh anything we can accomplish with the strength of our mortal flesh. A good example is Apollos from Acts 18:24-28 who was naturally gifted and bold, sincerely zealous to God even with the little he knew. Some brethren found him and brought him into the light of Christ’s gospel, which turned his life around and ultimately made his ministry more fruitful and expansive.
Many generations have passed since the Apostles walked the earth, and some other vessels have emerged over the centuries as mighty witnesses of the way of Christ and the cross. Various documentation of revival episodes are there for us to peruse to stock the fire in us and drive our desire to plunge into this fullness. I called them episodes, not because that’s what God intended them to be, but men allowed the fire to die off over time. God desires a continuum of the fire of revival for all generations (Leviticus 6:9 because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.) but we truncate and extinguish the fire with ungodly and fleshly tendencies. He still desires to light this fire again but we have too many distractions today- John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. If we must get to the desired zenith, we must do all within our capacity, and employ the grace of God in prayers to dispel every besetting distraction and diversions. At the same time, we focus on the glorified Christ to bring us the fullness of the Spirit for His mission.
We are called to be witnesses, not as a choice, but as a command- Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. And it behooves us to do the work assigned to us in the most effective way possible to the praise and glory of the Father. This can only be possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, brethren, arise and wait for Him- Luke 24:49 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.
