Notes of Faith February 9, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
October 22, 2000
“YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES”
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit 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.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus told the disciples what would happen when the Holy Spirit came upon them. He told them that they would be witnesses for Him. Note He didn’t say you shall witness - rather you shall be witnesses. To witness is not necessarily what we say. More comprehensively to witness is what we are. “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” Matt. 5:16.
If our lives are as they should be, that is controlled by God the Holy Spirit, we will have great opportunity to explain the reason for the difference in our lifestyle from that of the world in general. A silent witness never won anyone to the Lord. Somewhere along the way we have to speak out and explain our lives. This is precisely what the apostles did. Peter said, “Be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks for the reason for the hope that is in you.” I Peter 3:15. Paul was always explaining why he no longer persecuted Christians. Essentially he said, “The One whom I once hated I now serve as my Lord and Savior.”
On the other hand, we can talk to people about Jesus Christ until we’re blue in the face, but if our lives show no change - what good is it? I’m talking about people we know and who know us. They have watched us live a certain way for a long time. They know our lifestyle. Then we start talking to them without demonstrating a change in our attitudes and the way we live - our priorities. Can we expect them to trust someone whom we say we love and serve but who has really made no apparent difference in the way we view or live life? Hardly. People are looking for answers and for someone or something to make a difference in their lives. That is why Jesus told His disciples that before they would or could be witnesses for Him, the Holy Spirit would be necessary to affect that witness.
In Acts 1:8 the word “witness” is MARTURO from which we get the work MARTYR. A martyr was one who died for what he or she believed. So a witness was a die-er not a talker. Every one of the disciples there that day, except one, died for his faith in Jesus Christ. So the ultimate aspect of the Christian witness is to be ready to die for our faith if necessary. Sobering, is it not?
Remember beloved - if we live what we believe, people will believe what we live!
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Those who call themselves believers in and followers of Jesus will show proof by the lives that they live. Some will prove fruitful, leading others to the throne of grace by their actions, good deeds, compassion, care, and love. Others will be a poor witness through their unrighteous actions, evil deeds, their lack of compassion, care and love. How would your life define your relationship with Jesus? Are you a good witness? Being a true witness for Jesus is more about how we live than what we say… yet we need to
1 Peter 3:15
always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence
Know whom you believe in and why!
Know what you believe and why!
You (Christian) are being watched by both revilers and seekers! You are a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ in one way or another! Seek to be a blessed fruitful one!
Pastor Dale