Supporting witnesses

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27)

We are called to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8). Yet sometimes we may feel outnumbered and alone in giving our witness. Our witness is our testimony of how and why we have come to trust the Lord Jesus. It's telling about what we know to be true and our experience of it. 

We may feel opposition from our hostile culture and be intimidated. Yet we need to remember our testimony, our witness, is one among many that confront and weigh upon unbelievers. 

Who are these fellow witnesses? There are seven "testimonies" to the reality of God, his power, and his grace given to us in Jesus Christ.

1)  The witness of creation (Psalm 19:1-2; Acts 14:7; Romans 1:20). People may suppress this knowledge, but there is a sensus divinitatis (intuitive sense of God's reality) which remains, and so there's no legitimate excuse for unbelief. This includes God's acts of providence in showing his goodness to mankind. 

2) The witness of God's moral law in our conscience (Romans 2:15). Deep inside of us we know there is a moral law, and hence, a supreme moral Lawgiver. C. S. Lewis wrote about this in Mere Christianity.  

3) The witness of the Word of God (Isaiah 55:11; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). We should share God's word (Scripture) unashamedly, for God himself makes his word effective in the hearers, whether people seem to receive it or not. 

4) The witness of historical evidence (Luke 1:1-4; John 20:27; 1 John 1:1-3). This includes the historical accuracy of biblical events, many fulfilled prophecies, and confirmations from archaeological research.

5) The witness of reason (Isaiah 1:18; Acts 19:8, 9). There are reasonable arguments for the existence of God, and sound reasoning helps promote truth, as well as unmasking lies. Our minds were created to think God's thoughts after him.  

6) The witness of the church (including you) (Matthew 24:14). Church history, confessions of faith, the lives and testimonies of other Christians, and your own story, along with caring, praying, listening, and showing love to others, is a powerful testimony.

7) The witness of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26-27; 16:8-10; Acts 16:14). The Spirit of Truth bears witness to Christ along with us. He opens hearts and convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. 

What a privilege to be able to add our voice to his!  We can have confidence that the Holy Spirit will give power when we speak to others about Christ. 


[Image above: Augustine of Hippo in his study, source unknown.]


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Romans commentaries

Image
At a weekly lunchtime study a few of us are going through Paul's epistle to the Romans. Though we should build upon our own reading and study of Romans, we will also find some commentaries helpful.   In choosing and keeping commentaries for each book of the Bible, I like to have at least one commentary in each of these categories: 1) exegetical, that is, focusing on the text in its original language; 2) expositional , which is a running commentary on the verses, both in meaning and application; and 3) devotional , relating more to the personal application of the biblical truths in that book of the Bible. Of course, some commentaries overlap these categories.  In the process of downsizing my own personal library (i.e., the physical books) over the last couple of years, I've been faced with choosing which commentaries to keep. On Romans, I have kept (and use) the following volumes:  Romans (Exegetical Commentary), by Thomas R. Schreiner (Baker Academic, 1998). Schrein...
Read more

Angels, and the way back to the garden

Image
"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'" (Luke 2:10) “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay." (Matthew 28:5-6) Angels figure prominently in the Christmas story. I believe angels actually exist and are active in this world. Most of the time they are behind the scenes, unseen by human eyes, but sometimes they make their appearance. Angels were prevalent in the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, and then again at his resurrection and ascension, but not so much in between. So, when they show up in the biblical record we should take note. In a recent advent sermon, we heard references to "going back to the Garden" (that is, Eden) and to not being able to "find our way home." I'm not sure it was intended, but (as a child of the '60s) these two phrases...
Read more

Teaching children

Image
"Anyone who wants to live with children must first of all recognize his own incapacity for justice in the deepest sense. How difficult educating children is for us human beings, who are not free of sin, and what a responsibility! Only wise men and saints are fit to be educators. Our lips are unclean. Our dedication is not without reservation. Our truthfulness is broken. Our love is not perfect. Our kindness is not disinterested. We are not free of lovelessness, possessiveness, and selfishness. We are unjust. "So it is the child who leads us to the gospel. If we look at our task with the children, it is quite clear that in view of the holiness of the task, we are too sinful to bring up even one child. This recognition leads us to grace. Without the atmosphere of grace, no one can work with children. Only one who stands like a child before God can educate children, can live with children. "'You must become like children.' Like children, you must live in the presenc...
Read more