Acts 22:12-16 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelled there,… Here is — I. A SPECIAL DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE. "Thou shalt be His witness." Sometimes a Christian is designated a steward, and is left in trust for Christ; sometimes a shepherd, and is commanded to feed the flock of God; but here he is called a witness. A witness is one who bears testimony to that with which he is personally acquainted. The apostle was a competent witness — he was permitted to see and know Christ; he was a courageous witness — he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; and he was a consistent witness — both by word and deed he declared the whole counsel of God. How can we witness for Christ? 1. By our self-denying labours. This is the very essence of the Christian religion. "Whosoever doth not bear his cross," etc. The need of a spirit of self-abnegation is abundantly manifest. We are surrounded by the ignorant, who must be taught; by the careless, who must be awakened; and by the lost, who must be led to the Saviour. 2. By our holy deportment. The end of Christ's death is the holiness of His people. The Christian is commanded to let his light so shine before men, that they may see his good works, and glorify his Father who is in heaven. Holiness is power. "Argument may be resisted, entreaty may be disregarded, and eloquence may be scorned; but the exhibition of an exalted piety has a might which nothing can withstand. It is truth embodied; it is the gospel preaching in the lives of its votaries. No sophistry can elude it, no conscience can ward it off, and no bosom wears a mail that can brave the energy of its attack." II. AN EXTENSIVE SPHERE OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE. "To all men." If you examine a map of the countries through which the apostle travelled, you will be amazed at the extent of his labours. Distance did not damp his zeal, nor danger daunt his courage. Where can we witness for Christ? 1. In private. This is a far more important sphere of service than many persons think. Are we diligent in the time of service? Are we patient in the hour of suffering? Are we resigned in the season of bereavement? Then we are witnessing for Christ. 2. In public. This is not only a difficult, but a very delicate task. We may dishonour Christ by our silence, and we may displease men by our speech. But there is greater danger of grieving Christ by our indifference than of offending men by our imprudence. Our testimony must be constant and courageous. Wherever our lot may be cast, there we must be loyal to Christ. III. AN IMPORTANT QUALIFICATION FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE. "Of what thou hast seen and heard." An apostle must know the will and experience the grace of God. He had seen the "Just One," and "heard His voice"; and you might as well have tried to reason him out of a belief in his own existence as to reason him out of his belief in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we have seen the glory of God, or enjoyed the fellowship of Christ, we must "witness to all men of what we have seen and heard." (J. T. Woodhouse.) Parallel Verses KJV: And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, |
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