Jesus commands His disciples in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples of all nations. Throughout the book of Acts, we see His disciples doing just that! There are a lot of things involved in making disciples, but one of those things is witnessing to the lost. I did a small study on these experiences in the first half of the book of Acts. There is really quite a lot we can learn from this! A quick note; the strategy and things done when witnessing is pointless if you don’t witness. We are called by Christ to go and make disciples. Let us do that, and let us do it with the knowledge of how the disciples of Jesus did it.
Acts 1:1-11
The first instance of a Christian witnessing to someone is actually in Acts 1:1-11. The author is witnessing of Christ and his ascension into heaven. I won’t count this as one because it seems to be cheating a little, but it is a clear instance of Luke witnessing to Theophilus the truth of Jesus’ ascension and promise of return.
Acts 2:22-36
Probably the most famous of instances is Acts 2:22-36. The disciples and others had just received the Holy Spirit. The people accused them of being drunk and Peter returns with the great truth of the gospel. Peter defends the utterances that others are hearing by giving the reason for them. Jesus of Nazareth, a man (vs. 22) and God (vs. 25-28) was sent and affirmed by miracles and other wonders, died (vs. 23), buried (assumed in vs. 24), and resurrected (vs. 24) or raised again. Peter also used the Old Testament to attest to these truths (I would say because of the context he was witnessing in). In the end, this affirms Jesus’ deity (vs. 36).
Acts 3
My personal favorite is in Chapter 3 of Acts. Such a beautiful time of Peter and John healing the beggar at the Beautiful Gate. Everyone began to praise Peter and John (much like they did Jesus whenever He fed the 5,000). Peter replied to their response with, “why praise me?” (vs. 12-23). Peter then gave the gospel message. It is through faith that this man is healed. It is through Jesus, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that this man walks. So, turn and believe (repent from unbelief) in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:8-12
Acts 4:8-12 is the next instance where witnessing takes place. Peter and John had just been arrested by the temples guards, priests, and Sadducees (4:1) for teaching the people of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead (4:2). The next day, the priests, guards and Sadducees questions Peter and John with this; “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” They swung the door wide open for Peter and John to witness about the name of Jesus Christ. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter proclaimed and witnessed with a boldness that is often hard to come by (or at least it seems) (4:7-12). Peter boldly witnesses to the fact that the healing which happened in Chapter 3 was done in the name of Jesus the Nazarene who they crucified (4:10). He is the one which they rejected and there is salvation in Him alone (4:11). Jesus of Nazareth is the only name under heaven which man can be saved (4:12).
Acts 5:29-32
Acts 5:29-32 is a very short instance of men witnessing for Jesus, but a powerful one. Peter and the apostles were arrested in 5:18 for performing signs and miracles and teaching about Jesus of Nazareth and His resurrection from the dead. After the apostles were put in jail, God supernaturally opened the gates and let them out. Whenever the priests found out about this, they brought the apostles back to them and questioned them saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us” (5:28). Peter and the apostles all answered with a very strong answer; “We must obey God rather than men” [emphasis added] (5:29). They quickly follow that statement up with a gospel presentation that is short and to the point; God raised Jesus up, who died on the cross and is now at the right hand of God. This was done for the repentance of men and forgiveness of sins. They are witnesses of this and so is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is big because if the Holy Spirit is witnesses to it, it must be true. God cannot lie.
Acts 8
One that is short and vague is found in Acts 8. Verses 32-38 really captures the heart of the story of Philip and the Eunuch. The Eunuch was part of the Ethiopians court and was traveling back from Jerusalem where he went to worship. God told Philip to approach the Eunuch’s chariot where Philip found him reading Isaiah 53:7. Philip was then given the opportunity to share the fact that Isaiah 53 was talking about Jesus Christ. The Eunuch was then baptized because he believed “…Jesus Christ is the Son of God”. Baptism was something that happened after belief for salvation. The implication here is; believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is necessary for salvation.
Acts 10:34-43
The last of this discussion will be that of Peter, the Apostle sent to the Jews, witnessing to the house of Cornelius, a house of Gentiles. It is an amazing story that rightly points out some important aspects of the gospel (Acts 10:34-43). Peter begins by acknowledging that the gospel is for everyone, not just Israel or the Jews. The gospel is for all nations for God does not create anything that is unclean. After this acknowledgment, Peter points out that which everyone is witness of. These things, the Jews (not Christians) and Gentiles have seen and witnessed. These include:
- Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power (10:38)
- Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (10:38)
- Jesus was put to death by hanging on the cross (10:39)
- Jesus was raised by God on the third day (10:40)
- Jesus appeared to many, physically (10:41)
Peter then testifies to the part people are unaware of. These include:
- Jesus has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead (10:42)
- The prophets testify that belief in the name of Jesus leads to the forgiveness of sins (10:43)
The context of this passage is important. The things known by Peter’s audience is something that the people in that time and in that context knew. They are not things that everyone today knows already. Peter’s audience was alive and aware whenever the death and resurrection of Jesus took place.
Continue the Study! Apply the Results!
I encourage you, continue the study through the book of Acts. There are some really cool events that happen throughout the book which will give some amazing insight on how the early church functioned and strived to fulfill their part in the great commission.
