The Witness of the Holy Spirit
Rev. O. K. Nkrahene | March 7 2025 | Acts 5:26-32
KEY VERSE: And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him. Acts 5:32 (ESV)
MESSAGE: The witness of the Holy Spirit, what a concept! But that was what the Apostles of the Lord claimed, "And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him." Acts 5:32 (ESV).
The Apostles made an argument for their position for Christ and against that of the Jewish religious leaders because they themselves were witnesses, and the Holy Spirit also testified to the truths they were defending.
The witness of the Holy Spirit accompanied the life and ministry of the Early Church in several ways;
Acts 5 clearly testifies to the critical witnessing role of the Holy Spirit to weed out incipient hypocrisy and the false religion of Ananias and Sapphira and instil godly fear in the community of faith and the people around them.
The Holy Spirit witnessed the calling and sending of the missionaries to carry the Gospel to new lands and locations (Acts 13:1-4)
The Holy Spirit witnessed the ministry of the Apostles by empowering their encounters with demons and the demonised (e.g. Acts 13:6-12). The Holy Spirit was present to direct the search for doctrine and practice of the Jewish believers seeking admission of Gentile believers into the gracious family of God (Acts 15:28).
The presence and witness of the Holy Spirit empowered the Early Church and must continue to do so in our personal lives and in the life of the Church today. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Do you have the witness of the Holy Spirit in your personal life? Does your church community make room for the witness of the Holy Spirit? What must you do to allow room for the Holy Spirit?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the sweet Holy Spirit poured out to witness and empower our witness. Please make me sensitive and collaborative with the Holy Spirit. And may the Church once again be led on by the Holy Spirit. For your dear Name’s sake. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 66: Leviticus 21-22 — Rules for Priests and Acceptable Offerings
DAILY word study: THESE THINGS The phrase "these things" (translated in Greek as tauta) appears frequently in the Gospel narratives and the Acts of the Apostles. It generally refers to specific events, teachings, or divine acts. In Acts 5:32, "these things" refers to the events surrounding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as well as the subsequent ministry and power displayed by the apostles.
In Acts 5:32, the apostles declare themselves as witnesses of Jesus' life and work, and they include the Holy Spirit as a witness to these truths. Theologically, "these things" point to the gospel message itself — the good news of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit, sent by God, affirms and validates the apostles' testimony, empowering them to proclaim with authority. This dual witness — of the apostles and the Holy Spirit — plays a crucial role in spreading the message of Christ, confirming the truth in the hearts of believers.
Reflection: The Holy Spirit continues to bear witness to the truth of Christ in our lives today. How are you responding to His prompting and allowing His presence to empower your witness?
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