Can we be witnesses of Christ in the same way that the first disciples and apostles were? I believe we can—and we must if we want to have the authority behind what we say and the power to impact the world in the way that needs to happen.
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Show Notes:
According to the Hebrew Scriptures, to be a witness meant that you saw and heard firsthand what you were testifying about. Otherwise your testimony was not legal. The disciples and apostles of Yeshua (Jesus) therefore were true witnesses of Christ. They saw and heard firsthand everything that Christ did and taught. But the term witness in today’s Christianity does not meet that definition. Being a witness now means telling others what you believe about Christ, not what you witnessed Him do firsthand.
I believe that not being witnesses according to this scriptural definition leaves us without the level of authority and power we need to break through the wickedness of this age and open people’s hearts to the Lord. That of course brings up the question: How can we be firsthand witnesses of Yeshua two thousand years later? One answer to that is in the ministry of the apostle Paul. After Yeshua’s ascension, Paul became a witness of all Christ said and did through the appearings and visions of Christ to him.
That means that the same experience is available to us by the Holy Spirit. After Christ’s resurrection the disciples themselves had to have a spiritual impartation because they did not understand what they saw take place. When the Lord appeared to Job, he confessed, “I have spoken that which I did not know.” Instead of speaking that which we do not know, we should contend to see Him face to face and be witnesses of that which we know as we are fully known. This is a promise that we reach into with all our hearts.
Key Verses:
- 1 Corinthians 15:1–8. “As to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
- Acts 22:6–16. “You will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:1–4. “Such a man was caught up … and heard inexpressible words.”
- Job 42:1–6. “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:8–13. “Now I know in part, but then I will know fully.”
- John 3:3–11. “We speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen.”
- Matthew 24:3–14. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached … as a testimony [witness].”
Quotes:
- “Can the gospel of the Kingdom be preached as a witness if there are no witnesses?”
- “The Lord told Paul he would be a witness, and He imparted to him that which he needed to see and hear firsthand in order to be a witness.”
- “I do believe that it is a potential to reach in and truly become a witness in any generation.”
Takeaways:
- Currently our level of witnessing is to tell others about our faith in Christ. We should contend to become true witnesses of Christ like the first disciples and apostles were—like Paul was.
- When the Lord appeared to Job, Job had to repent because he was speaking that which he did not know. How much do we as Christians speak that which we do not know?
- We know in part and prophecy in part. But the promise is that we will see Him face to face and know as we are fully known.
- When we talk about being witnesses, we understand that there is a great deal of impartation from Christ by the Spirit that was given to the apostles, as well as to the other disciples and to Paul. By the Spirit we can contend for the same experience.