SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST WITH EVERYONE IN THE WORLD
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with him" (Acts 10:38)
Acts 10:34-44
What would you say if someone were to invite you over to his house, office or shop to explain why you are following the Lord Jesus and have decided to serve Him to the end? This is exactly the story of Cornelius. Cornelius was a pagan, Roman army officer. An angel appeared to Cornelius telling him to send for Simon Peter. who could tell Cornelius and his household how to be truly born-again. Cornelius obeyed and sent for Simon Peter, who was living in Joppa at the house of Simon the tanner. Simon Peter was a Jew. and Cornelius was a Gentile. In that day, Jews and Gentiles did not have dealings with one another. So the Lord spoke to Simon Peter through a vision to convince him to go to Cornelius. Simon Peter obeyed the Lord and went to Cornelius house and shared with him why he should believe in the Lord Jesus and surrender totally unto Him. Simon Peter gave three lines of evidence. three witnesses which we are to use when we share the gospel of Christ with everyone in the world. The three witnesses that Peter used are:
THE PERSONAL WITNESS OF THE SAINTS
(Acts 10:39)
The apostles were a diverse group of brethren, yet they were united in their witness and testimony about Christ. Their message was the same. Among them: (i) John was young, very observant and inquisitive. (ii) Peter was a rough, daring and hardworking fisherman. (iii) Simon the Zealot was a civil activist. (iv) Nathaniel and Thomas were somehow sceptical and inquisitive. (v) Matthew was a hardened public official. (vi) Andrew was gentle and compassionate. (vii) Andrew was gentle and compassionate. (viii) Philip was a thinker. He calculated things properly. (ix) James always went straight to the point. All these men were eyewitnesses to the VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JESUS (Acts 10:34.38; Matthew 17:1-5), His VICARIOUS DEATH (Acts 10:39; Deuteronomy 21:23) and His VICTORIOUS RESURRECTION (Acts 10:40,41). As true born-again Christians, we also have witnesses. What we have not seen physically, we see through the eye of faith. And, the Lord Jesus has called everyone of us to be His witness (Acts 1:8)
THE PROPHETIC WITNESS OF THE SCRIPTURE
(Acts 10:43)
The theme of the Old Testament is the Lord Jesus. His Name was not mentioned as Jesus, but everything was focused on Him. All the prophets speak in agreement that Jesus Christ is Lord. There more than 300 direct Old Testament prophecies that prophesied the miraculous birth and earthly life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus.
(Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1; Isaiah 7:14: 53:4.5.9; Matthew 27:57,38; Zechariah 11:12;
Matthew 26:15).
THE PERSUASIVE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT
(Acts 10:44; 1:8)
The Holy Spirit witnesses TO us (1 John 5:9; Acts 5:32). It is God the Holy Spirit who convicts us of the truth of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also witnesses IN us (1 John 5:10) When the Holy Spirit witnesses to us and we believe in Him, the witness then lives within us (Psalm 34:8). The Holy Spirit also witnesses THROUGH us (Acts 10:45.46; 21:13). As soon as they believed. Peter commanded them to be baptized (Acts 10:47,48).
These three lines of witnesses have been given to us to share the light of Christ with everyone in the world. Let's rise up and share the light.
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