What we have seen and heard

Read Acts 4, Luke 24:44-49

Acts 4:20

"for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

In this passage, Peter declares that they cannot cease speaking about what they have seen and heard—not because they are not willing to be silent, or are trying to be in disobedience to the priests, but because God commanded them to testify to what they have experienced. This command to testify echoes throughout the New Testament, where believers are also commanded to share their faith boldly.

Peter's statement recalls another section in Luke's gospel, specifically Luke 24:44-49. Here, Jesus opens the disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures and commissions them to be witnesses of His suffering, death, and resurrection, as well as bearers of the message of repentance and forgiveness.

Luke 24:44-49

44 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."

45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

46 and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,

47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

48 "You are witnesses of these things.

49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then He opened their minds to the Scriptures, and not many days later they were "clothed with power from on high" - Acts 4:8.  We too are filled with this same spirit, which is perfectly righteous and with power inside each Christian who believes in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We can proclaim that good news to everyone we come in contact with.

Witness - what we have seen and heard

Consider this question: regarding the person Jesus of Nazareth—the Messiah, the Lamb of God, our Redeemer, your personal Lord and Savior—what are you witnesses of?

Imagine yourself in a courtroom, called to testify about your belief in Jesus as your Redeemer and Lord. What personal experiences can you testify to regarding Him? (The way things are going this may not be too far off - see my next blog post)

Ask yourself, "What am I a witness of?" What recent encounters have you had with God? Take some time to reflect on how God has revealed Himself to you lately—whether it be in the past year, six months, or even this month.

Begin with Prayer

• Ask God to reveal Himself to you today
• Ask Him for opportunities to share your faith
• Ask Him for discernment to reveal the schemes of Satan

Action items

• Write down what He has revealed to you today
• Praise Him for it, share it with others
• And always, get into His Word so He can speak to you, and train you up to discern good and evil (Heb 5:32)

Final Note

If you find yourself struggling with whether God is using you or if you are a Christian... 

Well then... 

You are.

 Trust God, if you have those types of questions then you are, you can take that to the bank, literally take it to the bank or the store or your neighbor.  Boldly declare I am a Christian, a child of God.  Do you want to know who He is?

2 Corinthians 10:7

7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.

Consider the words of the hymn "I Know Whom I Have Believed":

"I know not why God's wondrous grace

To me He hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

Redeemed me for His own.

But "I know whom I have believed

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I've committed

Unto Him against that day."