July 25 | Disciples Are Public Witnesses of Christ

Series | The Life of Discipleship

Scripture | Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Lesson 25 | Disciples Are Public Witnesses of Christ

Some “well intentioned Christians” have said that though all believers are to preach the “message” of Jesus, not everyone is commanded to follow His “method of public witness.”  Meaning, Jesus preached on the streets more than any one place- more than the temple, in homes, or in the market place… the streets and outdoor countrysides were His pulpit and the public was His congregation.  However, many today in the modern church believe they can avoid following Jesus’ example and simply choose whatever way is most comfortable for them.

No one would disagree with the belief that all disciples are to witness and have freedom to choose methods that work best for them- on the job, at lunch meetings, etc.  However, the overwhelming example of Jesus’ method on the streets must be followed and obeyed as the first priority.  The very reason Jesus gave the disciples spiritual power was to be a “public witness” for His Gospel.

Also, notice Luke 14:23 where Jesus describes where the Gospel will go… to the “roads and country lanes,” i.e., “the main streets and alleys/back roads!”  Luke 14:23, “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.”

In turn, when Jesus promised to give power to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth He expected His disciples to get out of the four walls of the church and home bible studies and take the message of the Gospel to the streets just like He did!

I challenge you to be a public witness for Jesus a minimum of once a month. Stand on the street in front of your church and invite people in, go door-to-door in your neighborhood, meet people at the park, go downtown, witness at the mall- whatever you do, “Go!” 

Reflection | Are you a public witness for Jesus?

Action | (1) Repent if you have not followed Jesus’ command to be a public witness for the Gospel. (2) Be filled with the Holy Spirit, trained by your church, and make a day and time to go witnessing in public to tell strangers about Jesus’ good news. (3) Lastly, find others to go with you and start a street witnessing revolution in your community.  Don’t let the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses out witness you!    

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14, Romans 9:1-24, Psalm 19:1-14, & Proverbs 20:1. Click here to read online.