Witnesses

One of the most meaningful descriptions of Christianity is they are witnesses of God’s work. This was previously stated in Isiah, “Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, t is true. “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” – Isa. 43:9bff. (ESV). When Jesus came, one of His tasks was to witnesses to what God was doing for humans via the power of the Holy Spirit. Joel says that many people, from many groups, would become witnesses (Joel 2:28-29). When Jesus returned to heaven, His disciples became the primary human witnesses of what God was doing, as they were led by the ultimate witness, the Holy Spirit. Ongoing witness by the apostles was unique in many ways and therefore unrepeatable, but the role of witness was not limited to the apostles. Witness became the charge to the people of the revealed Kingdom, the church. All Christians are empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to continue Jesus’ work and proclaim liberty to those captivated by sin. The Holy Spirit guides and empowers the Christian Mission. This is exactly what Luke noted about the people leaving the inaugural Pentecost feast in, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” – Acts 8:4 (ESV)