WHEN Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, He held several interviews with His disciples, in order that they might not only understand the reasons for His going away, but also the nature of their duties in His absence. His last instruction was both a promise and a charge—a promise of power commensurate with their responsibilities, and plain directions as to the use they should make of that power. This instruction was: “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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
The next verse says, “And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” And we learn from Luke 24:50, 51, that He was parted from them while in the act of bestowing His blessing upon them.
The leading thought, however, in the parting instruction of the Lord is that His disciples are to be witnesses for Him in all the earth, and that power direct from on high is essential to such witnessing. Notwithstanding all the experience and previous instruction of the twelve, under His personal supervision, they were not yet qualified for efficient witnessing in all the world. They still lacked the power, and He had told them to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until “endued with power from on high.” They were endued with this power on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon them; and there and then they began their powerful witnessing.
Now the sole duty of the believer while in the present life is to witness for Christ. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Rom. 10:9, 10.
Jesus Christ came into the world as a witness. He was the “faithful Witness” (Rev. 1:5), and “a faithful witness will not lie” (Prov. 14:5), “a true witness delivereth souls” (verse 25). “Behold, I have given Him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” Isa. 55:4. He also was “full of the Holy Spirit;” was “led by the Spirit” (Luke 4:1), and was endued with “the power of the Spirit” (verse 14). Moreover, He was obedient to the commandments of God. See Matt. 5:17, 18; John 15:10. Herein lies another essential to true witnessing. “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 7:21.
We sometimes hear one say, “I am doing the best I can,” or, “I am serving the Lord in my poor, weak way.” Such service is not acceptable to God. He wants His people to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” Spiritual weakness is unbelief. “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim. 1:7. Says Paul, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Rom. 1:16. Faith, obedience, and the power of the Spirit (and these three are one) are necessary to a “faithful witness” and a “good confession.” Let us keep in mind the parting instruction of our Master, and strive to be faithful witnesses till His return.