09.08 | Witnesses
Acts 10:23b-48
‘“So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” So Peter opened his mouth and said…’
Acts 10:3-34a
Have you ever been asked to give a speech with no notice whatsoever?
‘Now, Chris is going to share a few words…’
Peter has one of these moments today. The buildup has been significant. Angelic visitation, invitation to come to Cornelius’ house, friends and family member have been invited. Expectations are high.
And so, when he arrives, they ask him to speak.
If this was me, I think I’d start worrying about how well my message was crafted. I’d be thinking about the right touch of humour, and moments where I spoke to the heart. I’d be thinking about the length, the academic credibility of making sure I’d considered various theological opinions. I’d be thinking about the different perspectives and life stories in the room, and how to ensure these situations felt heard and able to engage with the message.
Maybe not bad things. But there is something beautifully simple about how Peter responds.
He just says what happened.
He doesn’t focus on polished rhetoric or convoluted theology. He doesn’t balance two competing ideas, or argue for precise orthodoxy in the face of possible heresy. He doesn’t worry himself with creating an emotional journey for his listeners. He just tells them what happened.
Jesus was anointed with the Spirit. Jesus healed the sick. Jesus drove out the demons. Jesus was crucified. Jesus was raised. Jesus sent us. And the whole Scriptures tell us that simply believing in Jesus leads to the dismissal of our brokenness and our shame.
And as he is speaking this simple, factual, recounting of the events, the Spirit falls. Salvation comes to the house. And a new move of God is launched into the nations of the earth.
So often, when we think about how to share our faith with others, we worry about what we should say. We worry about their difficult questions, and getting our theology wrong. We worry about their disagreement, or their offence, or us seeming to be too opinionated or direct.
Theological orthodoxy is important. Being attentive to your listeners is important. Good communication is a great skill to have. But they also don’t seem to be the things that worry Peter.
Peter’s greater concern is simply to tell them what he has seen Jesus do.
As we worry how to testify to the truth of Jesus in an age that we assume doesn’t want to hear, I wonder if we spent less time assuming people’s responses for them, or worrying that starting speaking might taking us into territory beyond our knowledge base, and spent more time just plainly telling what Jesus does, if we might just find a world more hungry for this message than we realise.
Jesus helped me in my depression. Jesus answered my prayer for work. Jesus provided when I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough. Jesus gave me courage. Jesus brought words of love and grace to my heart of shame and fear. Jesus gives me wisdom. Jesus set me free.
When you find somebody who is an effective evangelist, often it’s not their remarkable eloquence or theological ability that strikes you; it’s their simple readiness to speak plainly of the living and active Jesus. To speak with confidence and to speak with clarity. They just say what has happened.
There is a word that is given to those early apostles and evangelists:
Witnesses.
They simply witness to what they have seen. Truthfully, plainly, clearly, confidently. To stand before a watching world, not hiding the realities that they have seen, not pulling back in fear and reticence to cause offence, but simply saying what happened.
Because, at the end of the day, that is all a witness is required to do.
And, just maybe, it is upon such clear declaration of the works of God that the Spirit who does the transforming is so very pleased to fall.
Reflect:
When did I last speak to somebody about my faith?
What stops me?
What work has Jesus done in my life that I could witness to?
Pray:
Lord Jesus,
I’ve lived as a worshiper;
I’ve lived as a person of prayer;
I’ve lived as a comforter to believers;
I have used my gifts;
I have read your Scriptures;
I have given my money;
I have visited the sick,
Stood up for justice,
And sat in many meetings about church;
And yet,
How infrequently have I been a witness.
My visible life for you
Has so often been invisible to those who need you most;
My activity for you
Has so often been only with other believers;
My bold words about you
Have so often been only heard in the church.
Lord, forgive me;
Lord, encourage me;
Lord, empower me—
That I may learn to speak truthfully of your work
In the midst of a world that needs its Messiah.
And Lord, as I do so,
May your Spirit fall,
Taking me off guard
With the magnitude of what can happen
When your people
Find their voice.
Lord Jesus, for your fame,
And in Your Name,
Amen
Old Testament:
For those also reading the Old Testament this year, your additional readings are here:
Jeremiah 43-45 | Proverbs 21:1-8
Amen