Witnessing in Spiritual Power

In Acts 1:8, Jesus told the disciples, “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.”  He did not say that we should, but that they shall be.  It is not something they have to try to do, but something that will happen automatically as a result of the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives.  The changed, Spirit filled life becomes a testimony to Christ, even without a conscious effort.  I Peter 3:1-2 tells us, a godly lifestyle can draw people to Christ without saying a word.  “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.”  I Thessalonians provides a valuable insight into What Christ meant. 

The Christians in Thessalonica had seen the power of God in Paul and his associates lives, and had accepted Christ.  As a result, they had dedicated themselves to God, and his power was obvious in their lives so that there was no question about their having been saved.  I Thessalonians 1:2-5 describes their commitment to God as a result of what they had seen in lives.  “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 1th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.   For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”  They were assured that what Paul preached was truth, because they seen and experienced the power of God. 

Because they had seen what the Holy spirit did in Paul and his associates lives, the people followed their example, becoming Christians despite considerable opposition, as described in Acts 17:1-10.  As a result, their testimony spread through all the region, and even to other countries, as I Thessalonians 1:6-10 tells us.  “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.  For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” 

 Though they had not spoken to the people in the areas of Macedonia and Achaia, other people had discussed what had happened there in Thessalonica, and how the Christians had been changed, and the word had spread even to those other cities.  As a result, people were more open to the gospel in those other cities, making life far easier for the Christians there, and also encouraging them, knowing they were not the only Christians who had problems. 

One of the biggest problems in American society today is our lack of patience.  We don’t want to wait for anything.   Sadly, that same attitude has carried over into the church.  We do not want to wait for the Holy Spirit to produce fruit in our lives, or in those of our people.  Instead we try to get them out witnessing before they are even sure of their own salvation or have any idea of how to walk in the Spirit.  Consequently our witnessing has minimal impact, seldom reaching beyond the emotions of the moment.  Even those who make professions often have little or no commitment to Christ, just viewing salvation as a fire escape to avoid hell.  The results can be seen in churches all across America.   If we are to reach the world, we need to Let the Holy Spirit produce his fruit in us.