Share what God has done to free humanity from sin

by Pastor Bruce Johnson –

What comes to mind when you hear the word “Christian”? Church members might answer that Christians are saved from their sins, “born again,” baptized, or Bible believers. Others might say that a Christian is religious or believes in God or is especially helpful. Many Christians now embrace Jesus’ command to be and make His “disciples” (Matt. 28:16-20).

There is truth in each of these, but how do they relate to the story of the first Christians? Acts 11:26 says that “it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’” This happened after Jesus’ followers experienced persecution and the good news about Him spread outside Jerusalem to the Gentiles. Until then, they lived by Jesus’ instructions given to them as He prepared to return to the Heavenly Father: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Witnesses are people who have a story to tell because they have heard or seen the truth that needs to be told. In a courtroom no one is more important than the witnesses. So, what exactly do Christians witness to?

The four gospels tell us that the first witnesses to Jesus were women who arrived at his empty tomb. When they were told the amazing news that he is not dead, but alive, they ran to tell Jesus’ sorrowful disciples…