What is a Witness?

What is a Witness?

Act 2:32-36 NIV - God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." ' "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Luk 24:46-49 NIV - He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

What does it mean to be a witness of Christ? The word has unfortunately lost most of its original connotation. When most people think of a witness, they think of “witnessing.” It is an act; a proclamation of the Gospel to the lost. It is that terrifying and burdensome act which they feel they cannot possibly accomplish. There is, however, much more to be witnesses of Christ than a mere action. The word witness exists for a very good reason—we are witnesses of Christ’s death and resurrection. The origin of this word came from the early Christians in the New Testament. Jesus is the first to address the apostles as “witnesses” when He says that the apostles “are witnesses of [Christ’s death and resurrection].” The apostles were literally witnesses—they saw Christ die and then rise again. That was why they were so motivated to share the Good News. That is why they were willing to be beaten, stoned, crucified, and martyred for their witness. In Peter’s great address at Pentacost, he proclaims to his audience that “God has raised this Jesus to life, and [they] are all witnesses of the fact.” The Gospel to these people was not merely some religious doctrine. To Peter it was not merely some checklist stating he “witnessed” to someone. It was not a contract he fulfilled. It was real and authentic—he was proclaiming his literal witness of seeing Christ raised from the dead.

Oh, how I wish that we too would realize we have a witness. You see, beloved, we are witnesses of Christ’s resurrection as well. While we never literally saw Christ rise from the dead, we saw Him rise in our hearts. We see Him transforming us and those around us day after day. We see Him miraculously healing the sick, turning the drunken man into a saint, the abusive husband into a loving man, the brawler into a healer, the adultress into a faithful wife, the crippled into a dancer. We see the transforming and living power of the Gospel. It lives in us and all around us. Jesus is alive! We are witnesses to these things. We must proclaim these things!

There are many Christians who believe they are not “witnesses.” They are not too terribly good at speaking with others, let alone tell them the Gospel. We must remember, however, that the Gospel can be spread in more ways than one. My own deficiency in conversation is made up for with writing. The shy young girl’s witness is in her voice. The recluse artist spreads the Gospel through his art. The psychiatrist proclaims it through his therapy. There are so many ways in which we are witnesses to the glory of God. Just because you aren’t skilled verbally, don’t believe the lie that you have no message to spread. God can use you to spread the Good News. Will you be a witness for Him today? Amen.

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich