091. ACT 13:31. GOD’S WITNESSES

Act_13:31. God’s Witnesses

"His witnesses unto the people."’97Act_13:31.

Paul, in the text, is referring to the fact of Christ’s resurrection, and to the evidence in support of the fact which the disciples, and others who had seen the risen Saviour, could adduce, and as such were proper witnesses of it to the people. We intend to apply the text in a more general sense, and to consider all believers as Christ’s witnesses to the people." Let us show, I. To what they witness. II. Before whom they witness. III. What kind of Witnesses they are.

Believers are witnesses. Let us then notice,

I. To what they witness.

1. They witness to the freeness and fulness of Christ’s gospel.

How cordially they were invited’97how heartily welcome they were to the gospel board’97how abundantly they were led with the rich provision of gospel grace, no upbraidings, no severe exactions’97no evasive delays, &c. "Ho! every one that thirsteth," &c.; Isa_55:1, &c.

2. They witness to the efficacy of his grace.

How it opened their eyes’97softened their hearts’97destroyed their enmity’97renewed their nature. "All old things passed away, and all things made new."

3. They witness to the fulfilment of the promises.

What did he promise? To give repentance’97the spirit of grace’97power to believe’97full remission of sin’97spirit of adoption’97peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. And they found all these promises to be yea and amen in Christ Jesus, &c.

4. They witness to the pleasure of his service.

His yoke is supposed by many to be heavy, to be toil and drudgery’97doctrines gloomy’97ordinances wearisome, &c.’97but they find that his yoke is easy’97his burden light’97his service joyous. Ways are ways of pleasantness, &c.

5. They witness to the kindness of his providence.

In preserving them’97watching over them’97leading them by a right way, &c. "All things work together," &c.

Let us notice,

II. Before whom they are to witness.

1. Before the church; by union and fellowship with it; by forsaking all for Christ’s sake: being separate; bearing the distinction of his followers.

2. Before the world.

Lights; salt of the earth; elevated cities; known by their spirit’97conversation’97practice; holding forth the word of life, confessing and testifying to the power of divine grace. Consider,

III. What kind of Witnesses they are.

1 They are competent witnesses.

They are not ignorant of what they profess; they testify of what they do know; of what they have seen, and felt of the love of God.

2. They are candid witnesses.

They have no reason to be otherwise; no temporal advantages to gain; often support their evidences at the greatest possible sacrifice; perhaps of reputation, property, liberty’97and thousands, of life itself.

3. They are numerous witnesses.

First ages, thousands of them; so now, almost in every country under heaven; rich and poor, learned and illiterate; and they are increasing every day.

4. They are harmonious witnesses.

May differ in sentiments as to doctrines; but they are one in all those points of evidence referred to under the first head of this discourse. Yes, religion is one in its essence and sweetness, though not in degree and amount, in all cases and persons.

5. They are dying witnesses.

Yes, they witness in life and health: but they also witness in affliction, by patience and resignation; and in death, by peace, and oftentimes triumph. "Behold the perfect man," &c. "Blessed are the dead," &c. "O death, where is thy sting?" &c.

Application

1. Let Christ’s witnesses hold fast their profession.

2. Let sinners prove for themselves the service of Christ and the preciousness of his grace.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS