Bearing Witnesses
So how many witnesses does it take for you to believe in Jesus the Messiah? Let us consider Acts 3:11–26. It was an unbearable day for some people…the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees when they came upon the apostle Peter preaching Jesus and the resurrection from the dead. They missed it. The miracle that healed the lame beggar and Peter’s sermon message of eternal salvation through God’s glorified servant — Jesus of Nazareth.
First, they missed the miracle healing at the Beautiful Gate. For some reason they did not recognize the lame beggar of almost 40 years (or did they?!?), who was now in the temple leaping and praising God. Second, they missed the witness of the apostles telling of Jesus the Nazarene, the originator of life itself, who was given credit for healing the lame man. The witness in Jerusalem had begun (Acts 1:8).
The lame beggar was a walking miracle that no one in Jerusalem could deny. When the religious leaders discerned that they were working with an undeniable miracle, their politics were revealed. Instead of rejoicing at the prospect of something awe-inspiring on their watch, they insisted on silencing the fishermen from Galilee. These men were happy to use the Hebrew Scriptures to show Israel the Holy and Righteous One — Jesus the Messiah (Dan 9:25–26; Jn 4:25–26).
Moses told Israel that a prophet like himself was coming in the future, which was yet another witness (Acts 3:22; 7:37). The scriptural witnesses were multiplied with all the prophets from Samuel onward. How could you miss these witnesses? Even Abraham was told in a covenant God made with him that one person in his progeny would bless the nations (Gal 3:16). The patriarchs and the prophets bore witness of the same person as the apostles and the lame beggar (and me!).
Peter’s second sermon (Acts 3:11–26) calls the reader to repent at the witness of Jesus Christ because God is calling all men everywhere to repent of sins and believe in Christ (Acts 17:30). Each reader or hearer is confronted with the prospect of their unbelief (Jn 10:26; Rom 8:9; 9:22). God has given you someone to believe in, who demonstrates power to heal and to forgive you (Mt 9:2, 5–6; 26:28; Lk 1:77; Acts 2:38; Eph 1:7; Rev 1:5). Turning from your sinful lifestyle, in a sinful world, and turning to Christ comes with the promise of forgiveness and eternal life.
Can you bear another witness? It is God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit who bears witness, through Christians, with the Gospel call into the world (Acts 10:42–44; 17:30; Rom 1:16–17; 8:30). To ignore or deny the message is to miss the salvation from God. There are consequences for your unbelief (Mt 25:41, 46; Jn 5:28–29; Jude 7; Rev 20:11, 14–15).
The called-out ones will respond to their Good Shepherd because they will recognize His voice, as the One who made and redeemed them, to become vessels of mercy prepared for glory (Jn 10:16, 27; 18:37; Rom 9:23). Trust Christ and enter His rest. Bear the witness of Jesus Christ one last time, so you too can bear witness of His saving grace now and forever (Is 45:17; Acts 1:8).
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
May 27, 2021
