From 'FAITHLESS' to 'FAITHFUL' WITNESSES in 50 days

[b]YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME (Part 1)[/b]
[size=x-small]Robert Wurtz II[/size]

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

The disciples had now spent around 40 days with the Lord since the resurrection leading up to this passage. This disciples had all failed miserably when it comes to being 'faithful witnesses' unto Christ. They had 'seen' and 'heard' many things. They had been 'eyewitnesses' of His majesty. Yet, the revelation alone of who Christ is in itself is not enough to make a faithful witness. They had a 'testimony', but they had no power to deliver it.

Peter was a bold man as were several of the disciples. Simon was a Zealot and as such he would have potentially been a ruthless and cold blooded killer prior to his conversion. He likely stood for the cause of the Zealot, but yet he fled under persecution for the Lord's sake. Even Peter, who had near to taken off the High Priests servants head with a sword swore with a LOUD oath that he did not know the Lord.

Perhaps part of the 'sifting' or confusion was because they had failed to understand the Lord’s mission. Their own desires and misconceptions were in the way of their understanding. Christ had come to be the Faithful Witness; the one who would faithfully represent the Father and all of His will in the earth. The disciples had their 'idea' of what the Lord came to do and God had His. In short, the people believed that Christ should have recovered the Kingdom to Israel and that as Messiah, He should have sat on the throne of David and ruled the world from Jerusalem. But the Kingdom was not going to spread that way. It was going to be spread through anointed common people who had [u]sold out[/u] to God. Not with armies or weapons of war, but through the preaching of the Gospel, folk were going to begin entering the Kingdom of God. This is a most important consideration.

[i]Synagogue Attendees or Kingdom Subjectees?[/i]

In the New Testament the synagogue is said to have served a similar function as do local churches today. They were often placed on the highest hills of cities around the then known world to serve as a place were folk come and learn about God and the various goings on within the religion of the Jews. Their role at the time was very important because it spead the knowledge of God around the world. Synagogues had copies of the Law and that information was essential to helping the eventual spread of the Gospel.

The role of local churches (not to be confused with The Church) is very important today. Local synagogues, as do local churches, contained people that 'varied' in their beliefs and dedication to God. Not everyone in the synagogue had subjected themselves to God. Not even the leaders were always dedicated to performing God's revealed will. many had their own agenda. This holds true today for local churches. One may be a member of a local church, but that does not make them a member of the [i]Kingdom of God[/i]. This is utterly important and often marginalized.

The goal of the early Church was not to fill synagogues, it was to fill the Kingdom of God. The synagogues actually began to curse Christians who continued to come to synagogue in the late first century. The curse was called the Birkat ha Minim and was intended to 'deal' with heretics. Christians were the main target. We see again evidence that Synagogue and Kingdom and not one and the same.

Buidling the Kingdom of God is a different occupation than building local churches. They are not the same thing, nor are the means of operation the same for each respective purpose. If the objective is ‘church growth’ [i]measures[/i] will be in place that lean towards growing that local church. If growing the Kingdom of God is the objective then an uncompromising biblical means will be used. Folk in modern times enter churches allured by whatever means may come along, but they can only enter the Kingdom according to New Testament [u]protocol[/u]. This distinction must be made if we are to ever return to building the Kingdom of God once again. Are we church local growers or Kingdom ministers? If we seek first the Kingdom- Christ will build His Church and local churches will grow genuinely. If we take on the false measures of modern day church growth methods we will fill the local churches with high maintenance sinners who have to be entertained on every hand.

The key as we will see in this series is the 'witness'. Will we be faithful witnesses of Christ or not? The answer to this question is one of the most important we can answer in our times.

[b]WITNESSES UNTO CHRIST (Part 2)[/b]

We live in a time when the Christian community spends a great deal of time putting together "proofs" for the existence of God. Whole para church ministries exist for the purpose of providing compelling evidence of the truths of scripture. Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853) was once considered to be the foremost authority on the laws of evidence. He was one of the two original founders of Harvard law school in the 1800's. He used to have a saying to give in answer to a matter that went something like this, "Have you considered the [i]evidence[/i]?" Having been asked by a student if he were a Christian Greenleaf said 'no'; the student fired back, "But have you considered the evidence?" And from this Greenleaf began a study of the scriptures from a legal stand point and wrote the renowned work, "A Treatise on the Testimony of the Evangelists." From his studies he concluded that based upon the laws of evidence, the scriptures are completely true. He came to Christ and gave apologists much resources in defending the faith.

Where did this evidence come from? What was the basis of his findings? Maybe we can begin by saying that a [i]witness[/i] is a person that provides compelling evidence. They have a 'testimony' based upon their experience. They have seen or heard 'something'. In a court of law the court is interested in the personal accounts of those who have witnessed events. A good witness will present the court with the most accurate account of what he/she has seen and heard.

Lets change scenes for a moment. Revelation 1:5 tells us that Jesus Christ [u]is[/u] the [i]Faithful Witness[/i]. Jesus was the faithful witness because he always spoke the truth no matter what the opposition, he never sought to please men as men often do. He came to reveal the Father’s will to this world and it led him to his death at the cross. (Spurgeon) This also means that His life was the ultimate demonstration of being subject to God the Father in bringing forth the full revelation of what He had 'seen' and 'heard'. He could not deny the Father and He could not deny Himself. This is a most important point to stop and ponder. Christ did not perform His own will, but rather the will of Him that sent Him. These are just a few factors that demonstrate our Lord's worthiness to the title "The Faithful Witness."

Our Lord was the faithful and perfect representation of God, the express image of His person. He was from eternity a witness to all the counsels of God (See John 1:18). Christ was a faithful witness of the Father and [u]we are to be a faithful witness of the Son.[/u]

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me...

This is also important to grasp. The purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit is to make us 'faithful witnesses' of Jesus Christ, just as He was faithful to be a witness of both the Father and Himself. The word ‘faithful’ means one who shows Himself faithful in the discharge of a duty or the administration of a trust (Vincent). Christ gave faithful testimony concerning all things which were to be testified to by Him in the world.

He was a faithful witness also, because whatever He heard from the Father, [u]He faithfully made known to His disciples.[/u] Christ taught the way of God in truth, neither did He hold back for anyone- nor regard the person of men. As a ‘faithful witness’ He announced condemnation to the unrepentant and salvation to those who heard, believed, and obeyed.

In our first entry we briefly considered Peter and Simon as examples of men who had a 'testimony' and were no doubt fearless in any other respect, but when it came to 'testifying' they fell miserably short. Actually, they fled and hid in fear when the hour had come. Why? Because courage alone will not make you a faithful witness. A man may draw swords and fight or have a most merciless demeanor dealing with those they opposed; but there is something about the spiritual nature of standing for the Kingdom of God that man simply cannot rightly or effectively do it in the arm of the flesh. Imagine the timidity! BOLD to be a zealot and timid in the Kingdom.

And this is the lesson that has to be realized in our times:

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, [i]Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.[/i] (Zech. 4:6)

Means and measures will only take us so far. We cannot accomplish in the flesh what can only be done under the revelation and unction of the Holy Spirit. And it is the Holy Spirit that we must be energized by and FILLED with if we are likewise to be 'faithful witnesses' of Jesus christ.

[b]A FAITHFUL WITNESS (Part 3)[/b]

There is a way in which folk are ‘sworn in’ to be a [i]witness[/i] in a trial in our country and that way requires a person to “solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help them God.” For those who would object to the term 'swear' or 'so help you God' an [i]Affirmation[/i] can be made. This is done by substituting the word "affirm" for the word "swear" and substituting the phrase "under the pains and penalties of perjury" for the phrase "so help you God." In a court room in our lands, almost everyone has to be 'sworn in' including the jury bailiff. Imagine this? Imagine the pain staking effort and 'threatenings' that are leveled to get to the truth?

There has been a problem of late in our city in which gangs and other criminals have been murdering folk and then [i]intimidating the witnesses[/i] into keeping quiet. Many have 'seen' and 'heard' things, but they are persecuted even to the point of death to be made keep quiet. Even if it was a family member murdered, many dare not talk. For this cause there are many with 'testimonies', but very few [i]faithful witnesses[/i].

This is not a lot different than our case as believers in that the testimony we hold is indeed a 'volatile' testimony and the violance and wrath of careless sinners (as well as the enemy) is always hot. What happens? The tendency in ourselves is often to save ourselves and ‘hold back’ a portion of the truth that we know. This was so before Pentecost, but afterwards was quite a different story. Under duress Peter even swore and cursed least he tell the truth of what he knew. He simply could not in himself be a faithful witness. You may ask, "What had Peter seen and heard that qualified him to testify?"

Well, we are told later in Peter's epistle (II Peter 1:16) that the disciples had not followed cunningly devised fables when they made known unto them the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but they were [u]eyewitnesses[/u] of his majesty. The word here for 'eyewitness' is more than a casual observation, but an intense inspection. This is the same man that denied any such experience prior to Pentecost. In fact, he (Peter) denied even knowing the Lord. What was the difference? How could a man with such a vast eyewitness testimony not give that testimony? How could a man be transformed in just 50 days from a mere man, timid and hiding in fear; to a fearless preacher of the Truth- ready to die as a faithful witness of Jesus Christ!?

Before we answer that we need to recognize a perpetual goings on by the enemy known as ‘intimidating a witness.’ Now the enemy is always trying to ‘intimate’ the witnesses of Jesus Christ into keeping quiet or giving a half-baked testimony. I was once called to testify in a Federal Court case. Before the case was called the lawyer for the defense was walking the halls and tried to small talk me and load me down with accolades. The strategy was to somehow gain sympathy for him and his client so that I would somhow feel a sense of betrayal if I were to tell the whole truth. simple plan, create a friendship and then a sense of 'loyalty.' Now you see why it is so dangerous to befriend the world? It makes you an enemy of God and at the same time makes you sympathetic to sin and ruins your willingness to testify the full truth.

Again, Christ was the Faithful Witness, because He denied not, [u]even in death[/u], the Father's testimony to Himself. If I might so say, He was one witness the Devil and the rebellious religious leaders could not intimidate. They could not win him over to sympathy or any such thing. Why was that? What will it take for a man or woman to become a 'faithful witness'?

The difference was Acts 2. The Holy Spirit came and filled the disciples with the Spirit of God. This was instant change. This was radical change. The difference? The [i]fulness[/i] of the Spirit. The same faithfulness exhibited by our Lord had now poured over into the disciples once they were baptized in the Holy Ghost. Now, when Peter came under persecution, rather than swearing or denying the Lord a different reaction came forth. An indignation for the boldness of those who would intimidate a witness prompted a prayer;

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. A faithful witness, because He will give testimony in the day of judgment concerning the works of the good and of the evil (Acts 4).

When you finally get FULL of the Holy Ghost you’ll be a good and faithful witness no matter who threatens. You will shrug off the subtle attempts of the enemy to quiet your mouth.

This is excellent, Robert.

May we, like Paul, be unashamed to witness the truth to those in Rome. It can be a fearful thing to testify in face of tamperings and intimidations. But our Chief Advocate has a witness-protection program the Feds can't hold a candle to.

May we, like Paul, be unashamed to witness the truth to those in Rome. It can be a fearful thing to testify in face of tamperings and intimidations.

Amen. Thanks Paul for the encouraging words.

[b]FROM AN EYEWITNESS TO A FAITHFUL WITNESS[/b]

Our header is titled, " From 'FAITHLESS' to 'FAITHFUL' WITNESSES in 50 days." You may be wondering what that is all about. You see, the word [i]Pentecost[/i] means '50'. Pentecost, also known as [i]Shavuot[/i] is a celebration from the time of ancient Israel of the giving of the Law at Sinai. It is one of the three major feasts that the Jews still observe. In the New Testament period the feast was also connected to the wheat harvest. In Acts chapter 2 we have the day of Pentecost having 'fully come' and the outpouring of the promised Holy Spirit began.

So there are three things I wish to focus on as we continue thinking about Pentecost:

1. Giving of the Law
2. Ingathering of the wheat harvest
3. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

In John 5:39 we read:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which [u]testify of me[/u].

This is a powerful consideration for our subject. The Old Testament scriptures 'testify' of Jesus Christ if they are interpreted properly.

But when the aComforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall [u]testify of me[/u]:

From these we find that the primary purpose of both the giving of the Law and the coming of the Holy Spirit is to 'testify of Jesus Christ.' Likewise, it is our primary purpose as living epistles seen and read by all men to be a living testimony of Jesus Christ. This is not something that can be 'acted out'. It must come as the result of the working of the Holy Spirit by the word of God.

The testimony of Christ comes to us through preaching and has to be 'confirmed' in us (I Cor. 1:6). The pattern of this is found in Acts 8 when Philip preached and the folk 'gave heed' to what he preached seeing the miracles that were performed (8:6). In 8:12 the people 'believed and were baptized.' In verse 14 it is said that the people had 'received' the word. This means that they took the word unto themselves personally. They 'took hold' of it. This was the 'signal' (if uyou will) that seems to have sparked Peter and John to GO where the people were to lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. Notice this pattern:

The people 'gave heed' to the word (v6)
The people 'believed' the word (v12)
The people 'received' ([i]dechomai[/i]took hold of) the word (v14)
The people 'received' ([i]lambano[/i] received unto themselves) the Holy Spirit (v17)

If you will notice in this chapter there is a tremendous emphasis of the Holy Spirit working along side Philip as he preached- confirming the word to the people. This was a common happening when the Apostles preached. Whether it be by the revelation of a miracle or simply the full on impact of the unction of God- the people had the word of God 'confirmed' in them and as a result were 'convinced' of their sin. This is not something that can be articulated- it has to be the handiwork of the Holy Spirit.

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that you faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (I Cor. 2)

Again, this is the Holy Spirit 'testifying' of Jesus Christ into the hearts of men through the preaching of the word of God. Again, I have to emphasize this, that being 'articulate' and being 'anointed' are not one and the same. I use those terms loosly because as believers we are already anointed. My point is, unction cannot be simulated but crafty words that tickle the ears. One could preach like Shakespear and it would have little or no effect on the conscience. The power is not in the beauty of the sentence, but the testimony itself as carried along by the Holy Spirit. Simple statements are a mighty witness when the Holy Ghost is back of them.

Did you know that you can preach against sin and not touch the conscience of people? You can stand up and deliver what some would call a blistering message to a congregation and not one person leave the building convicted. I have been in meetings when everything under the sun was 'hit' and the place was erupting with amens. This group was hit and that group- every group except the one sitting in the seats! You see, people don't care how much you preach against sin- so long as it's not THEIR sin your talking about. They will amen preaching against all kinds of things as long as its their neighbor being hit and not themself.

Holy Ghost filled preaching grabs hold of the conscience and confirms the word in the hearts and demands a response. We can preach a lot of things, but when we ask the congregation something like this, "What is that thing in your life that you keep resisting the Holy Ghost about? What is IT that every time you try to pray the Spirit of God 'puts His finger on' and demands that you deal with it?" This is where the rubber meets the road. This is not the slap dash, haphazard and aproximate (Katz) type of ministry that allows folk to slip in and out week after week still resisting the Holy Ghost unthwarted. When the Holy Spirit is at work in our preaching He will take hold of the conscience and bring us face to face with the controversy He has with us.

I am really enjoying this series. Very powerful.

Now you see why it is so dangerous to befriend the world? It makes you an enemy of God and at the same time makes you sympathetic to sin and ruins your willingness to testify the full truth.

[b]WE DON'T HAVE THE FULNESS- SO WE'LL IMPROVISE?[/b]

I once said that the so-called famous last words of a Christian is, "I can handle this." In other words, 'I can handle' something in my life that I know is going to become a stumbling block to my ongoing victory. And if "I can handle it" are the famous last words of a Christian, then "I have an idea" must be the famous last words of a ministry.

The world is full of ideas. The world is loaded with opinions. The problem is that these 'ideas' and ''opinions' get interwoven into the plan of God until God's plan is almost of none effect. Many of them seem harmless. To point them out is to subject yourself to peril. But to cleanse what God is doing from these things is to take a necessary step back to the fulness of the Spirit.

Man has ambitions and these ambitions often hinder what God wants to do. These ambitions are realized in times when the Spirit of God is not manifest as He might have once been. When God stops talking men start talking. When God is slow in giving direction- men are quick to take the reins. I think about King Saul. Here is a man that refused to wait for the prophet to gain direction from God, but rather offered sacrifice hoping to have God's favor when he went out to battle (I Samuel 13). And this is the folly so often in our times, "God anoint and bless what I'm about to do because I don't have time to wait on direction from You."

God was looking for a man after His own heart. What does that mean? The answer to that is illustrated in the life of Christ. He did always those things that He saw the Father doing. He desired to do the will of the Father no matter what that will may be. Too many times, whether it is said openly or not, the object is to get God to bless the leaders plans, rather than the leaders blessing the Lord by following His plans. This is an awesomely important point. We have to find out what God wants done and do that. We cannot continue on doing what we want to do hoping we will have God's blessing.

Saul became even more highhanded and was slaying on the right hand and on the left. To add a sense of peity to his work he suggested that the people 'fast' when going into battle. Again, what for? Are you trying to procure God's blessing upon your own battle plans? He made them to take an oath that if they were to put their hand to their mouth before the end of the day they would be 'cursed' or in other words, put to death. Saul apparently believes God will be with him if his men follow through with the fast.

Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them." They said, "Do whatever seems good to you." [u]Then the priest said, "Let us draw near here to God." Saul asked counsel of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?" But he didn't answer him that day.[/u] (I Samuel 14)

The priest suggested to Saul that he seek counsel from God. He did so, but God did not answer him that day. Apparently, the Lord delayed His answer to him. Seems almost as if Saul was well into his own plans when he decided to call on God for direction. When God did not answer him right away, he figured the problem had to be with the oath. Someone broke the oath and God is not talking now. It never seemed to occur to him that HE was the one that was causing the problems. What did he do? He was prepared to put to death his own son who had not heard the oath and had eaten a little bit of honey. I see in here a 'hint' of the attitude of the Pharisees. Always trying to push God into things. Always trying to be in charge and get God to go along with them. fasting and praying and all sorts of stuff that in itself it OK, so long as you do it to get direction and follow it and not try to twist God's arm into doing what you want to do.

Later on God gives Saul some orders to destroy the Amalekites.

And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. (I Samuel 15)

He destroyed men, women and children but spared the good livestock. He spared the King also who was the head of the people, the one who is perhaps most responsible for the behavior of the people. Is this often not the attitude of our times? Let us not utterly slay the world and the devil in our teaching and preaching? The Lord gives commandment not to spare them and yet the sound of the bleating sheep is in the house. You see, Saul carried out his own will until his men were famished, but when it came to God's will he held back. Almost to spite the Lord or something. And oh what a terrible price he paid.

The Spirit of the Lord lifted off and an evil spirit came from God to vex him. In time he even stooped to seek counsel from a witch to gain direction. At first he would not wait on God to hear and when he finally did hear he disobeyed. This is the antithesis of David. What was Saul's attitude? If God is not with us we will just improvise. He's not talking so I'll go to the witch. He's not talking so I slay my son in an act of false piety. We'll fast for favor, but we won't seek clear direction. This is what Reidhead was referring to when he talkied about the young man and the filling station. Saul wanted power for his program, but God was not going to be a means to anyones end.

[b]WAITING FOR THE PROMISE[/b]

I am struck by the words of our Lord as He was in His passion and found the disciples fast asleep, "Could you not watch with me one hour?" Impatience, laziness, a feeling of always being in a hurry are great enemies of any move of God. What's the big hurry? Why the rush?

Soon for the disciples one hour was going to become 10 days.

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit [u]not many days[/u] from now (Acts 1:4, 5)

Not many days, not many days, roughly 10 days I suppose it was. Were they ready? Why the 10 day gap? Why not just ascend into Heaven and immediately the Holy Ghost fall upon the people? There has to be a purpose, there has to be a reason. There was yet some unfinished business I know, the disciple to replace Judas was to be chosen, but this is 10 Days of 'waiting on the promise.'

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Sabbath's days journey would be a little more than a half mile I suppose. One could walk that easily in 15 minutes. So we have what is essentially a 10 Day prayer meeting. Now this is something to consider! Imagine a prayer meeting in which the folk are 'waiting' for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They do not know the fulness of God at this point. Post Pentecost a 10 Day prayer meeting would be one thing, but pre-Pentecost? What would that have been like? Finney used to refer to the 'Spirit of prayer' coming and folk praying with an unction (as it were). What would it take to pray 10 days without the 'Spirit of prayer.' This was 10 days of sheer obedience.

And this is the issue I believe in our times. Will we 'wait' on the Lord. Do we have the focus to block out all the various distractions that seem to stand in line demanding our attention? Ten days in a somewhat isolated environment has a way of cleansing the mind of foolishness and things we have allowed in. Surely there are no formulas for revival. But what can we glean from this? Will God pour out His Spirit upon us when our hearts are occupied and contented in our day to day lives? When we spend days and weeks and months and years 'resisting' fellowship with Him by allowing other things to come in and supplant Him? Can we come into revival in 'multitask' mode or do we need a time of complete focus on God?