Acts 2 and 3:
Elements of Effective Witness
Introduction
Remind of Acts' mandate (1:8). The early Christians were effective
in carrying out this mandate. In fact, several thousand people came
to Christ through their witness in the first few days! This is a testimony
not only to the power of the Holy Spirit, but also to their effectiveness
in being his witness.
Therefore, we should examine how they communicated about Christ.
In Acts 2 and 3, Luke records two successful examples. Although each
example has some unique elements (as we will see), they embody the key
elements of effective witness. Let's keep a finger in both of
these passages and discover these elements.
A demonstration of God's power
In both cases, it began with a demonstration of God's power. In chapter
2, as we saw last week, he enabled them to speak in foreign languages
to Jewish pilgrims. In chapter 3, he enables Peter to heal a paralytic
(read 3:1-11). Both events draw a crowd, and then Peter capitalizes
on this to share a message.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could begin meetings like this with bona
fide miracles? I'm not completely sure why God doesn't do this more
often, although we have some explanation of why this is not the case.
Even in Acts, it isn't the norm. We obviously can't tell God what he
has to do in this area, and we certainly don't want to fake miracles
(like so many have done).
The fact is, though, we do have something very similar! We have
the powerful testimony of God's power to change our lives!! This is
the normative display of God's power that attracts people to
Christ (read Matthew 5:16).
I had to consider Christianity because of the change I saw in my
friends. They had a new peace and joy, they had a new freedom and
a new sense of purpose. I didn't admit it to them, but I saw it and
it worked on me. And when I was willing to admit I wanted to change,
they were the ones I knew had the answer.
Most of you are here today because you have seen a similar change
in someone's life.
WARNING: It needs to be an attractive change. Becoming
a self-righteous, nasty fundy is not what God has in mind.
PEOPLE-ORIENTATION: actually love and enjoy people for who
they are vs. PEOPLE-USING/AVOIDING
HONEST ABOUT OUR FAULTS (because of our weakness & God's grace)
vs. DEFENSIVE & FALSE FRONTS
If you are a Christian and you are allowing the Lord to work in
your life, people see a change in you! You may not realize it because
you are measuring yourself to older Christians, but it is
happening and people are noticing.
Because of this, we need to do what Peter did . . .
Give the credit to Christ
In both cases, when people were attracted by the power of God, Peter
took the opportunity to launch into a monologue about Jesus Christ.
In Acts 2, they asked him for an explanation (2:12), and he answered
by explaining that Jesus was responsible for what they had seen and
heard (read 2:14-16, 32-33).
In Acts 3, the people were struck, but no one asked for an explanation
(3:11). But Peter offered one anyway (read 3:12-13a, 16). He wasn't
about to take credit for what happened—he gave the credit to
Christ.
Many people come to Christ without ever seeing a miracle, but no
one has ever come to Christ without hearing the message! Regardless
of what happens, then, we're going to want to do what Peter did here—tell
people about the difference Christ makes.
Some people will actually ask why you're different, what's going
on here, etc. (like the people in Acts 2). Others will be struck,
but will not ask (like in Acts 3). They are too shy to ask you about
what they see in your life. They will wait until you tell them the
difference Christ has made in your life.
GUY WHO SAW PERSON AT WORK CHANGE. AFTER MONTHS, THE CHRISTIAN
INVITES HIM TO COME TO BIBLE STUDY. “I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR
MONTHS FOR YOU TO ASK!”
Is it arrogant to claim this? Just the opposite! It is arrogant not
to give credit where it is due.
GINGER: “I've noticed you have a great family life—that's
something I've always wanted.” What if I replied, “Thanks,
we really enjoy our family.” This is stealing the credit! I
need to say, “Well, we would never have the marriage or family
we have if we had not met Jesus Christ. He's the One who has given
us the ability to love each other . . . ”
Don't shy away from the supernatural explanation! People will assume
a natural explanation (RELIGION; WILL-POWER; NATURAL GOODNESS) unless
you tell them differently. They need to know that it's the living
Jesus Christ—and that he can do the same for them.
This is what a “witness” is. The word (marturion)
is a legal term meaning to testify to what you have seen and heard.
We need to tell people what Jesus Christ has done in our lives. And
when we do this, we need to be ready to do something else . . .
Offer evidence for your belief in Jesus
Read 2:22-24. Peter is explaining what has happened with Jesus Christ.
Even when they put him to death, it couldn't hold him. Then he goes
into some Old Testament scriptures (read 2:25-29) where David predicted
the resurrection of the Messiah (read 2:30-32). He did the same thing
in 3:18,21b-25.
What is he doing? He's offering evidence for his assertion about
Jesus. Because it is such an extraordinary claim, one that ran against
the grain of their expectations about the Messiah, he anticipated
the need to supply evidence. This is the kind of evidence they would
have appreciated because they were steeped in the Old Testament and
believed it was God's Word.
We need to be ready to do the same thing when we share the amazing
claim that Jesus Christ is alive and has changed our lives.
BUMPER-STICKER: “GOD SAYS IT, I BELIEVE IT, THAT SETTLES IT.”
I suppose this may make some impact on people who respect the Bible
and know what it says. But for the vast majority of people in our
culture who neither know what it says nor believe it is uniquely inspired,
this is really unhelpful.
This is a matter of respect—people have questions and
their questions deserve good answers. We can't simply insist people
see things our way or write them off as hardened sinners.
This is why Peter (same guy) says 1 Peter 3:15 (read). The
word translated “make a defense” apologia, the word
from which we get the term “apologetics”—the defense
of the Christian faith. Out of love and respect for others (not to show
off or “win”), we need to have answers for people's questions.
We need to be aware of many lines of evidence so we can offer that evidence
which is most helpful to the person with whom we're talking.
Some Christians say, “I don't need to study apologetics—I
don't have a problem with doubt.” Well, I'm glad you don't—but
that's not the only reason you should learn apologetics. I don't think
Peter had much of a problem with doubt either—but he knew this
material because he loved people and knew they had evidential questions.
There are many lines of evidence. Christianity is unique in this
area of predictive prophecy—both fulfilled (like Daniel 9, copies
over 100 years before he came) and unfulfilled. There is also excellent
historical evidence for Christianity, as well as rational and philosophical
cases that Jesus is the way to God. Promote Christianity,
The Faith That Makes Sense which communicates several lines
of evidence.
Sometimes this is the key (RICK MORRIS). But whether people need evidence
or not, we need to be sure to offer them something else . . .
Highlight God's grace
We need highlight God's grace. That is, we need to make it clear that
God is loving, God is forgiving, and God wants to have
a relationship with us. This is what Peter did.
Read 2:36-37. They thought they'd had it! But in spite of their complicity
in Jesus' crucifixion, Peter tells them God is prepared to offer them
an amazing gift. Read vs 38. We'll look at the conditions in just a
moment, but notice the offer! In spite of what they've done, God is
still prepared to completely forgive them! He adds that God wants to
live inside them, and give them eternal life (see 3:19-21).
This is good news (gospel)—this is what arrests people and draws
them. It's important to get this news out as soon as possible—because
most people think the God of the Bible is only interested in judging
them, not in forgiving them and having a relationship with them. They
usually think Christianity is all about keeping certain ethical rules,
having a judgmental attitude toward others, etc. So as soon as possible
we need to correct this misconception with the message of grace.
Sometimes I share this and people have no response, or they say “I
don't believe in Christianity.” That's OK—I know God's Spirit
is going to take that message and drive it into their hearts, and
he's going to remind them of it when they are willing to admit their
need (ME).
Explain how to come to Christ
Notice also that Peter gives them specific instructions on what they
need to do to receive this gift. This is also a key to being effective.
People don't necessarily understand what they need to do, or that they
need to do anything. On their own, they will rarely draw the right conclusion.
“Repent” simply means to change your mind about living
in alienation from God. It means to “turn back to God” (see
3:19). They need to personally speak to God, admit their alienation
from him, and ask him for forgiveness and the gift of his Holy Spirit.
They probably think he's too busy, doesn't really want to hear from
them—but we need to say, “God wants to forgive you, and
you can actually speak to him and he'll hear you . . . ”
What about “and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins?”
Baptism simply symbolized the cleansing of God's forgiveness which
is mentioned next. It was particularly appropriate for these Jews,
who were familiar with John's baptism which communicated the necessity
of forgiveness for even God's chosen people. But it is not a requirement
for salvation. Not only does this contradict the clear teaching
of the rest of scripture (like Galatians 2:16 in the context
of circumcision)—it also contradicts Peter's own preaching in
3:19. Notice that the same two gifts are promised, but the only condition
is “turning back to God.” If Peter believed that water baptism
was required for salvation, how could he have omitted it here?
Read 2:40. Sometimes we have to explain this more than once. People
often just don't get it the first time. They may not come to Christ
in your presence, but you have told them how to come to him so they
know ho when/if they decide to (ME).
Conclusion
I know this causes a lot of irritation with non-Christians. They sometimes
say, “Why don't the Christians keep their own beliefs to themselves
like the rest of the world?” When you have something this great,
and find out that God is loving and personal, and that there's evidence
that it's true—it's really selfish to keep it to yourself (CANCER
CURE).
While I'm at it, I can't resist urging those of you who have never
met Christ . . . ”be reconciled to God!”
Copyright
1995 Gary DeLashmutt
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