Jesus Who Died NOW Glorified
ing of All Kings
Apostolic Evangelism
The Witness Method
And if there is only one Apostolic method of evangelism, is it possible that this method is so closely related to the right condition for salvation that if we are wrong about that condition, we will also be errant in our methods?
The answer to the above questions is a resounding “yes.”
And since the norm in evangelism today is to proclaim an errant condition for salvation, we ought not be surprised that we have also lost sight of the Apostolic method of evangelism.
What is the Apostolic method of evangelism? It is the same method that Jesus used. And for reference, I have titled it “the witness method.”
Storms will sometimes bring trees down on top of houses. As a crane operator, it is my job to boom over the top and often to the back of a house to pick the tree off. Often, from where I operate the crane, I cannot see to the back of the house because the roof peak blocks my vision. How then do I “know for certain” where the tree is? How do I “know for certain” where to put the boom and how do I “know for certain” how far to let the ball/hook down? Since the roof blocks my vision, all is turned to uncertainty.
I have a method – a method whereby I can “know for certain” where to put the boom and whereby I can “know for certain” how far to reel the crane hook down for connection. What is that method? IT IS THE WITNESS METHOD! Though I can’t see the tree on the back of the house, someone standing in the side yard sees everything clearly. This person in the side yard is an eye witness to the reality that I cannot see from my perch on the crane. And from their vantage point, not only can they see the tree on the back of the house, they can also see me. And so, based on their “eye witness testimony and attestation” they communicate to me – either with voice or by hand signal – or both. Thus my uncertainty is changed to “knowing for certain” exactly where to put the boom and “knowing for certain” how far to reel down for connection!
How will the lost come to “know for certain” realities which they cannot see for themselves?
Enter “the witness method” of evangelism.
Now don’t jump to thinking in terms of “street witnessing.” “Street witnessing is a confusing term which only blurs the one and only Apostolic method of evangelism – “the witness method.” Today, no one “street witnesses.” This is because no one is 2000 years old. Of course, this is how old someone would need to be in order to have seen and heard what we cannot in relation to Jesus. No one has seen Jesus live, seen him die or seen His resurrected person nor seen Him ascend into heaven. No one today goes “street witnessing.” Only the Apostles along with approximately 500 others went “street witnessing” (See 1 Cor. 15).
The Old Testament background to the term “witness” or “testimony” has to do with what someone personally saw, heard, touched, felt or experienced in some way. This person is a witness. When this person communicates in relation to these things, they are testifying. The context is a court of law and for the establishment of truth. From the Old Testament, we learn that merely one witness was not enough to be considered totally reliable. Only when 2 or 3 witnesses testified, could their assertions be considered reliable enough for confirming truth in matters so weighty as life or death.
Why the need for witnesses and attestation? The need is for the many people who themselves are ignorant or uncertain of the truth – who themselves HAVE NOT seen, heard, touched, tasted or felt for themselves the truth. For example, a judge may be ignorant or uncertain because he did not personally see the accused do what they are being accused of. How, then, does a judge come to “know for certain” the truth in relation to this person? – so certain that he will pronounce life or death sentences? The answer is “the witness method.” A judge might be turned from ignorance and uncertainty to deep conviction and certainty merely by hearing the testimony of two or more witnesses – people who have themselves seen, touched, heard, felt, tasted or known. This is the witness method.
How does all this relate to evangelism? In order for someone to be saved, they must come to the place of “knowing for certain” and with “deep conviction”…
First, THAT GOD IS! (Heb. 11:6)
In other words, our audience must turn from ignorance and uncertainty in relation to the truth about God UNTO knowing for certain that God “IS and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). This is what the Bible calls “repentance toward God” (Acts 20:21) or “turning to God from idols to serve a living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9) or repenting of “times of ignorance” (Acts 17:30). So how will people be brought from ignorance and uncertainty to knowledge and certainty in relation to God when no one has seen God at any time? Enter the witness method of evangelism. It is the job of the evangelist, in the courtroom of people’s hearts and minds, to call witnesses to the witness stand. Creation is God’s own designated witness concerning Himself (Psalm 19; Rom. 1:1:19,20, 32.) along with conscience (Rom. 2:15). When we are dealing with people who are agnostic, atheistic, or idol worshippers, if ever they are to step through the narrow gate of God’s only way of salvation (that being faith in the Lord Jesus Christ), they must first turn from uncertainty, denial and ignorance in relation to God Himself (for you cannot believe in the Man of God’s appointment unless you first believe in the God who appointed the Man – Acts 17:30, 31. Our aim in evangelism is first to see our audience turning from “ignorance toward God,” agnosticism toward God, or denial toward God unto acknowledgement and fear of God. This is effected by the Spirit through God’s creation witness and the witness of conscience being the foundational place to start (Note Paul’s example in Acts 14:16-17 and Acts 17:22-30).
But what if people are already convinced that God IS and that He is the rewarder of the righteous and punisher of the evildoer (Hebrews 11:6)?
Second comes, “FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST”
Belief that God IS, saves no one. Passages such as Acts 20:21, 1 Thess. 1:9, 10 and Acts 17:30, 31 teach that there must also be, in conjunction with repentance toward God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. And how will people be brought from uncertainty to knowledge and certainty in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ when no one today can see Him? Enter the witness method of evangelism. It is the job of the evangelist, in the courtroom of people’s hearts and minds, to call witnesses to the witness stand. People all around are agnostic in relation to Jesus. Others flat deny Him. Heathen are in ignorance altogether. Many others, though they admit that a man named Jesus lived in history past and was crucified, are yet ignorant, agnostic or in denial as it relates to the NOW exalted Jesus at the right hand of the Majesty on high fully anointed of the Holy Spirit and mighty to save. Our aim in evangelism is to cut down all rotten trees of ignorance, agnosticism, denial or uncertainty in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is effected by the Holy Spirit’s chain saw - “the witness method.” It is through the following witnesses that the Holy Spirit cuts away at the unbelief of our audience…
This witness method is first exemplified by Jesus in John 5 and then by Peter in Acts 2.
I. The Witness Method Exemplified by Jesus in John 5
If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish -- the very works that I do -- testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. And you do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. (John 5:31-40 with bold added)
This passage not only displays Jesus’ evangelism methodology, but is also the key that unlocks Apostolic witness methodology in Acts. And so we must understand this passage before we can thoroughly understand Apostolic methodology. So let’s try to understand this passage.
A. In His evangelism, Jesus first calls Himself to the witness stand.
If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true.
In the preceding context to these verses in John 5, Jesus has been saying all kinds of “far out” things about Himself. For example, He claimed the same life giving powers as God the Father, the same resurrection powers, the same eternal life giving powers, the same judgment authority, and also claimed to be sent by God and claimed to be doing the will of God. He claimed to be God’s image. These are a lot of “far out” claims.
But how are we to know that these claims are true? – claims that include the ability to give life - and to give that life to whomever He wishes?
To establish truth regarding a person or his claims, there must be two or three witnesses. One’s own witness is not enough! When Jesus says, “My testimony is not true,” He is not calling Himself a liar. He is simply declaring his witness to be inadequate. Self claim to one’s own person and to one’s own authority is inadequate for faith in this person. The truth of his claims must be confirmed by other witnesses. As it pertains to a court of law, if there are no other witnesses, it is to be thrown out of court! This is why Jesus said, “My testimony is NOT true” (John 5:31 - caps added). Jesus’ own witness is, in fact a valid witness, but it is only one witness (John 8:14). There must be other witnesses in addition to His own witness so that people might know for certain unto deep conviction of the truth. Multiple witness is also what holds people culpable for rejection of the truth. No one is to be judged on judgment day for failing to believe and act on the testimony of only one witness (John 8:13).
But if there are more witnesses – even Divine witnesses in relation to Jesus’ Person and claims, then, upon hearing the testimony of these witnesses, we are without excuse for failing to trust Jesus with full confidence in whatever He says.
And so Jesus enlists a second witness in addition to His own – enter John the Baptist!
B. In His evangelism, Jesus calls John the Baptist to the witness stand
You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. (John 5:33)
John the Baptist was the last Old Testament prophetic witness. Like all Old Testament prophets, he was a mouthpiece for God. All Old Testament prophets gave testimony of Jesus. But John the Baptist was the greatest of all Old Testament prophets because his testimony of Jesus was not merely a foreshadowing proclamation of spiritual Holy Spirit seeing, but John’s proclamation also included physical eye seeing. No other prophet could say, “Look, the ultimate Lamb of God is standing right there!”
John then, represents all the Old Testament prophets because John was the climax of them and the greatest of them in relation to his witness of Jesus. John saw with his own eyes, the Christ, the Son of God. No other Old Testament prophet rose to this level of testimony. In seeing Jesus with his own eyes, John confirmed the truth of Jesus’ claims regarding Himself.
John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me."' (John 1:15)
John testified saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. (John 1:32)
"I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God." (John 1:34)
But Jesus was not satisfied with John’s witness. Why? John, though the greatest of Old Testament prophets, was yet a mere sinful man. Yes, the witness of John the Baptist was of God’s Holy Spirit and thus authoritative, yet it was still a witness through the mouth and lips of a sinful man. This is the problem Jesus points out in verse 33 as it relates to John the Baptist.
But the witness which I receive is not from man… (John 5:33).
Another problem was the amount of time John could witness. John might only verbally witness as long as he lived. Jesus also points out this problem.
He was a lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for awhile in his light (John 5:35)
Since John’s witness combined with Jesus’ own witness is yet inadequate, (because John was a mere man), Jesus then points to another witness – a Witness superior to John’s witness and abundantly adequate to establish the truth of Jesus’ claims both for time and eternity.
C. In His evangelism, Jesus calls His Own Works (done by the power of the Holy Spirit) to the witness stand
…the works which the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I do bear witness of Me… (John 5:36)
The works of Jesus testified. The miracles, signs and wonders of Jesus bore witness. What do the works of Jesus say?
Jesus goes on to explain that His works testify that “the Father has sent Me.” (John 5:36). The works of Jesus have mouths, vocal chords and amplifiers. They shout. And some people listen and believe in Jesus as the sent One of God. Others deliberately plug their ears and say, “We don’t hear nothin’. But such people are rendered excuseless and culpable by the witnessing works of Jesus.
…the Pharisees…said…“We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from." The man answered and said to them, "Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing." (John 9:15, 26, 29-33)
Works witnessing is really the Holy Spirit witnessing. Works are the Holy Spirit saying that Jesus is the anointed One of God, the Christ of God, having the Spirit without measure. The works of Jesus testify that He is the Christ (the Messiah), God’s own image bearing Son sent from God.
Someone might argue, “But didn’t other people in the Bible do miracles similar to Jesus?” ANSWER - Yes, and, as with Jesus, these miracles validated their messages and claims. It proved they were prophets as they claimed. But neither Moses, Elijah nor Elisha were so prolific in their miracles as Jesus AND more importantly, none of them claimed to have life in themselves or claimed to be the Giver of eternal life nor claimed to be the very Son of God. Had they claimed such and done the miracles they did, we would be obligated to believe such. But they did not claim such. In contrast, Jesus did claim such, and His claims were confirmed by His miracles done by the power of the Spirit. In fact Jesus did more miracles and greater miracles than Moses, Elijah and Elisha combined. This is the witness of the Holy Spirit. (This is why there is no forgiveness in relation to blasphemy, the unpardonable sin. To watch Jesus do miracles and then to insist that Jesus did His miracles by the power of the devil is to reject the most plain “in your face” Divine testimony imaginable. It makes God the Father, Jesus, and especially the Holy Spirit out to be liars. This was the sin of the Pharisees. And there stubborn persistence in this sin was unpardonable. It was unpardonable because to reject this Divine “in your face” testimony that Jesus is the Christ was to fail to meet the condition for Jesus’ bestowal of eternal life – that is, to believe He IS the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:21). Persistence in this sin is unpardonable and the result is hellfire.
D. In His evangelism, Jesus calls God the Father to the witness stand.
And the Father who sent Me, He has borne witness of Me. (John 5:37)
How does the Father witness? The Father witnessed with a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son.” But interestingly enough, Jesus does not seem to have this occasion of the Father’s witness in mind because He said…
You have neither heard His voice at any time or seen His form. (John 5:37)
How then, does the Father witness? The Father’s witness is the Son Himself. This is the point Jesus is making when He says, “…for you do not believe Him whom He sent.” Notice carefully the language. “…you do not believe Him” (Jesus who you can see) whom He (who you cannot see) sent.
The Father bears witness that He sent His Son Jesus. How so? Observing the Son Himself is to observe the very image of the Father. Where else could Jesus have come from? He was not a sinner like everyone else. He was pure, holy and undefiled. He was angry at sin, yet without sin and loved righteousness like none other. Where could anyone like this come from? Who would have sent Him? Only one Person and you know Who! And the Pharisees knew too, but they put their hand over their eyes and lied saying, “We don’t know where He’s from.”
Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9 and note all of John 14:5-12 as a parallel passage to John 5.) If seeing the Son was seeing the Father, then the Son Himself is valid enough witness that the Father sent the Son. There would not be such a perfect image of God come to earth if the Father had not sent Him to earth. He even spoke with authority like His Father. All the prophets of earthly origin said, “Thus says the Lord.” Jesus, in contrast, spoke as His Father speaks. As the Father said, “Thus saith the Lord,” so also Jesus said, “Thus says ME” (Mt 5) and “this is MY commandment” (Jn. 14) and “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:19)
Remember when those Roman soldiers were enlisted by unbelieving Jews to arrest Jesus? And yet they did not arrest Him. When asked to give an account, they said, “No one ever spoke like this man.” What is there response but evidence of their listening to the Father’s witness concerning His Son? This was the Father’s witness in that Jesus spoke with the same authority as His Father. Sadly, the Roman soldiers were more in tune to the testimony of the Father concerning His Son than the unbelieving Jews!!!
E. In His evangelism, Jesus calls Holy Scripture to the witness stand.
And you do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. (John 5:38-40)
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words? (John 5:44-47)
I’ve already spoken of the witness of prophets – as represented by John the Baptist. But Scriptures are not merely the witness of men. They are primarily the witness of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. How so? God the Father works everything out in history according to the counsel of His will from eternity (Eph. 1:11). Since this is so, God the Father knows every detail of what will ever take place in the future. He foresees the future because He preplanned the future (Isaiah 46:10). And God can, if He so chooses, reveal to His prophets (by His Holy Spirit) things concerning His Son. And so God the Father did, in fact, reveal much of the future sufferings of Jesus and the glories to follow. This was done by the Spirit. And this Spirit was the Spirit of the coming Christ speaking through the prophets. So it is taught in 1 Peter 1. All this to say that the Scriptures themselves are the witness of the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All testify of Christ. The Old Testament is full of type and shadow testimony of Jesus to come. And it is the testimony of Jesus which IS the spirit of prophecy. Whether it was type and shadow to be fulfilled in Christ as starting with skin coverings in Genesis 3:21 or whether it was actual predictions of the future to be fulfilled in Christ as starting with Genesis 3:15, it all points to Christ. “…the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19:10). In keeping with this, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill” (Mt. 5:17)
And so we must never be ashamed to simply proclaim the Scriptures in evangelism. We don’t need to make a defense for the authority of Scripture. We did not give the Scriptures to be a witness of Christ. God did. Therefore, Scriptures do not need our defense. It is not our job to do so. We are simply to proclaim Scriptures with “thus saith the Lord” authority. It is up to God to make His own witness sharp, powerful and cutting. This is His job. And this is what He does by His Spirit when we prayerfully proclaim the words of His witness.
And as Scripture is read and taught, all the other witnesses gain a voice speaking powerfully – both the greater Witnesses (Jesus Himself, the works/Holy Spirit, the Father and Scriptures) and lesser witnesses (John and the Apostles.)
(One more witness might be mentioned. At one point in Mark 6, Jesus told the healed demoniac to go tell others of the great things he had experienced at the hand of Jesus. This man could personally bear witness to what Jesus had done in his life. And it is only in this way that the term “street witnessing” has any validity for today. People today, when they call on King Jesus, experience His Holy Spirit from His throne on high unto the cleansing of their conscience, abba Father love shed abroad in their hearts, and power unto godliness. Thus, every person who has true faith in Jesus also has “a story to tell” – “a witness to bear” – “a personal testimony.”)
And it is by means of enlisting all these witnesses that Jesus says there is the hope of salvation!
…the witness which I receive is not from man, but I say these things that you may be saved! (John 5:32 with bold and exclamation added).
Question: If Jesus called these witness to the witness stand when communicating to His audience with a view towards saving faith and their salvation, is it possible for us to have hope that our audience will believe in Jesus and be saved if we do not use this same methodology??
I think not!
And Peter learned from Jesus.
II. The Witness Methodology Exemplified By Peter in Acts 2
A. In his evangelism, Peter calls the works of Jesus to the witness stand.
Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know – (Acts 2:22)
Note the witness language – “attested.” These works of Jesus witness and attest that Jesus is the Christ. They attest that He is the anointed sent One of God destined to be installed by God as His representative King. These works are, in essence, the witness of the Holy Spirit.
B. In his evangelism, Peter implies the witness of Jesus regarding Himself
The Jews knew that miracles evidenced a prophet. They were familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures. They knew of Moses and Elijah. Miracles were attached to a mouth. They were a sign pointing to the mouth. In conjunction with His miracles, Jesus was not silent. You cannot separate His claims from His miracles. His prototype, Moses, illustrates this point.
Then Moses answered and said, "What if they will not believe me, or listen to what I say? For they may say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.' " And the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" And he said, "A staff." Then He said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. But the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand and grasp it by its tail"-- so he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand-- "that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." And the LORD furthermore said to him, "Now put your hand into your bosom." So he put his hand into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then He said, "Put your hand into your bosom again." So he put his hand into his bosom again; and when he took it out of his bosom, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. And it shall come about that if they will not believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe the witness of the last sign. (Exodus 4:1-8 with bold added)
And Moses said, "By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these deeds; for this is not my doing. (Numbers 16:28) (Don’t forget that Moses’ mouth had claimed to be sent of God.)
And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? (Numbers 14:11) (Signs of from God by the hand of the prophet were for the purpose of believing the voice of God through the mouth of the prophet).
Bringing the miracles of Jesus to the witness stand was also to bring the words of Jesus to the witness stand at the same time. You cannot separate the two. And so Peter, in mentioning the works of Jesus, is implying the words of Jesus at the same time.
C. In his evangelism, Peter calls the Old Testament Scriptures to the witness stand (with emphasis on the witness of God Himself)
…this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God…(Acts 2:23)
Certainly, all of history is according to the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God (Eph. 1:11). But not everything in God’s predetermined plan and foreknowledge is revealed to God’s prophets and recorded in Scripture! Old Testament Scripture has a single focus. That focus is Christ. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy (Rev.).
And so Peter, in his evangelism, enlists the prophet David showing that David (by the Holy Spirit) testified concerning the sufferings of the coming Christ with glories to follow.
Like Peter, whenever we enlist Old Testament witness, – whether foretelling Jesus’ sufferings or the glories to follow – we are, like Peter, utilizing Divine attestation in relation to the Person of Jesus.
…this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God…(Acts 2:23) (See also Acts 4:24-28 and 1 Peter 2:4-10 – esp. v. 8 for the same type of language showing Scripture fulfillment of the sufferings of Christ – that He was destined to be rejected by some.)
With this language, we understand that Peter has in mind Old Testament prophecy foretelling events concerning Jesus. And in relation to Jesus’ sufferings, there are many Old Testament passages Peter might have enlisted, had he so chosen. It was indeed according to the prophets that Jesus was delivered up and put to death. Once again, I would emphasize that this is exactly what Peter is asserting in the following statement: “…this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God…(Acts 2:23).
But interestingly enough, though Peter here declares the existence of prophetic witness concerning Jesus’ sufferings, he does not enlist the Old Testament prophetic witness of Jesus’ sufferings so much as he takes us to the glories to follow – resurrection and enthronement on high. Peter is on a mission. His mission is to convince His audience that this Jesus is alive from the dead and exalted at God’s right hand – both Lord and Christ.
Keep in mind that Peter’s audience already knows for certain that Jesus died. But his death is also the reason they are convinced he cannot be God’s Christ and appointed King. They must come to see that, according to God’s own witness as found in Old Testament Scripture, the Christ had to first suffer and THEN enter His glory. For it is only in the confession of a resurrected exalted Lord Jesus Christ, that they can be saved. So what does Peter do? Peter enlists the witness of two or three Old Testament Scriptures - Psalm 16:8-11; 68:18; 110:1. From these prophecies it is understood that the Christ must first suffer then enter His glory – His glory being resurrection and enthronement at God’s right hand as the long awaited seed of David promised King.
But prior yet to Peter’s enlistment of these Old Testament prophets as witness to the glories of Christ, Peter first seeks conviction of sin in relation to His first string witnesses. Keep in mind that even apart from these Old Testament Scriptures, Peter has already enlisted enough witness to expose the guilt of His audience for their unbelief in relation to Jesus - the miracles of Jesus and the implied claims of Jesus being sufficient for conviction of sin. And so before Peter enlists his second volley of witness – that second volley being the witness of “Old Testament Scripture” testifying that the Christ must suffer before entering His glory – Peter first boldly accuses his audience of guilt for their past closed eyes and closed ears in relation to the first volley of witnesses – Christ’s works and claims. Peter presses this home.
…this Man…you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. (Acts 2:23)
It is only after pressing the weight of the first volley of witnesses to the conscience that Peter then moves on to the second volley of witnesses pressing several Old Testament prophesies as witness concerning the NOW Jesus – prophecies which showed the Christ must suffer and then be resurrected and exalted.
And so just like his Master, Peter enlists Divine witness and secondarily human witness – the prophet David.
But Peter isn’t done enlisting witnesses
Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. (Acts 2:33)
This is actually the third time the Holy Spirit is called to the witness stand. The first was in relation to Jesus miracles, the second was in relation to Old Testament Scripture. Now once again, Peter calls the Spirit to the witness stand by speaking of the Spirit’s present manifestation of tongue speaking, rushing wind and flames of fire. Peter marshals this manifestation of the Spirit as witness to the fact that Jesus is alive from the dead and exalted at God’s right hand – for how else can this be explained, which they now see and hear.
Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. (Acts 2:33)
You cannot see the wind, but you can see what it does. By this you know there is wind. And in the knowledge of wind comes a knowledge of God the wind sender. Similarly, you cannot see the Spirit, but you can see what the Spirit does. By this you know the activity of the Spirit. With this knowledge of the activity of the Spirit is the knowledge of the Spirit Sender, King Jesus from His throne on high. Thus, Acts 2 flames of fire and tongue speaking bore witness to the reality of Jesus raised from the dead and exalted on high – from whence He was pouring His Spirit. Similarly today, with conscience cleansing and love shed abroad in hearts unto true godliness, this is true witness of the reality of Jesus raised from the dead and exalted on high – from whence He pours His Spirit into the heart of all who call upon Him.
This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. (Acts 2:32).
We hold the witness of the Apostles in our hands today. It’s called New Testament Scripture. The great design of Jesus’ in chosing the twelve was so that they might be witnesses – first in Jerusalem, then in Judea, then in Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth.
…but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. " Acts 1:8
…and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. "You are witnesses of these things. "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:46-49
…but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. Acts 3:15
"And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him." Acts 5:32
"And we are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And they also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. Acts 10:39
God raised Him up on the third day, and granted that He should become visible,not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us, who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. (Acts 10:41)
"And we are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And they also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. Acts 10:39
…and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. Acts 13:31
Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 1 Corinthians 15:15
And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33
'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. Acts 22:15
But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also." Acts 23:11
'But arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; Acts 26:16
Furthermore, the witness of the Apostles was confirmed by the witness of the Spirit by signs, wonders and miracles done at the hands of the Apostles – this was God’s own witness that the witness of the Apostles was true.
Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. Acts 14:3
God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Hebrews 2:4
Following Jesus ascension into heaven, it was largely by the witness of Peter along with the witness of the other Apostles that people were saved. And once saved, they continued to devote themselves to the Apostolic witness (Acts 2:42).
The Apostolic message of Peter in Acts 2 was none other than his famous confession of Matthew 16: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” When Jesus, died, Peter’s faith wavered. He thought He was mistaken in relation to Jesus being the Christ, the Son of God. But the death of Jesus did not invalidate this good confession. And it is yet upon this good confession that people are saved (John 20:31) and the church of Jesus Christ is built! And it is in relation to this truth regarding the identity of Jesus that the Apostles bore witness! Jesus is still the Christ, the Son of God. The only thing that has changed is that Jesus, as the Christ, NOW has a greater anointing – having received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit. And as the Son of God, He is NOW seated with enthronement glory – having been exalted by the Father to His own right hand. Having made purification for sins, He is NOW at the right hand of the Majesty on high, the radiance of the Father’s glory, the exact representation of His being – the exalted Son of God!
Believe and be saved, oh ends of the earth! The witnesses are abundant!
SUMMARY and CONCLUSIONS
After so after enlisting volley after volley after volley of witness, Peter comes to his grand finale climax. He declares, on the bases of all these witnesses that His audience should then “know for certain” that God has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ …
Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified. (Acts 2:36)
Note the language – “…let all the house of Israel KNOW FOR CERTAIN.” This is witness language. It is the result of marshaling witnesses that emboldens Peter to use such language. It is also what emboldens Peter to accuse his hearers of guilty culpable unbelief!
“…this Jesus whom you crucified…”
Why is Peter so “in their face?” Because their unbelief is in the face of abundant Divine and human witness that Jesus is the Christ, now resurrected and exalted to God’s right hand, is the greatest sin anyone can commit and it is that sin that a person must turn from in order to be saved!
Notice that Peter does not say, “…let all the house of Israel know for certain that Jesus died for sinners and cease trusting their own works and cling to the cross of Christ alone for salvation.” That Jesus died for sinners is certainly true. No one can deny this fact and be saved. But to make this fact the main evangelistic focus of your message is not only a misplaced focus, but is a diffusing of the effect of the divine witnesses methodology. It is to miss the forest for the trees and to put the cart before the horse. This is because the atonement of Jesus is simply one of His works! Though it might even be argued that the atonement is the greatest of His works, nevertheless, the atonement is nothing more than a work of Jesus by which he gained merit – which merit He applies to those who believe in His NOW exalted Person. Jesus taught us in John 5 that His works attest to His Person. Works of Jesus are not an end in themselves. Works of Jesus are not for the purpose of directing people to trust in Jesus works unto salvation. Works of Jesus, in contrast are for the purpose of attesting to the Person of Jesus so that people might trust His Person and so be saved. It is only upon turning from unbelief to belief in relation to Jesus’ Person that a sinner can be saved. You must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the exalted Son of God. And the divine witness methodology works for your evangelism ONLY if you have this belief in the NOW Jesus Himself as your grand goal in evangelism. The works of Jesus must always play second fiddle. And in playing second fiddle, the works of Jesus ought to tune your heart to trust Jesus Himself as your only hope of salvation. They ought NOT direct your heart to trust the works as your only hope of salvation!
In Acts 2, the grand focus was NOT the works of Jesus. The grand finale of Peter was a focus on the Person of Jesus Himself – “…let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ…” And it is surrounding the Person of Jesus that there is conviction of sin. And for bringing this conviction of sin, it was the witness methodology which the Holy Spirit utilized for deep conviction in relation to the person of Christ. And of all the witnesses, the works of Jesus make up only 1 of the witnesses to His Person. And of all the works of Jesus, the atonement is only one of these works. Though certainly a work of unspeakable magnitude – a work which displays the love of Christ like none other – a work so amazing that we will not plum the depths of it though we contemplate through all eternity – yet, nevertheless, nothing more than a work! And interestingly enough, Luke does not indicate that Peter proclaimed this work in Acts 2. Though Peter mentioned the death of Jesus, he spoke of it as that which made his audience guilty – not as that which absolved their guilt. Evidently, proclaiming the cross as merit is not absolutely crucial in establishing that Jesus is sent of the Father now exalted as Lord and Christ and faithful to His word. Evidently, the proclamation of the merit of the death of Jesus, though certainly lawful and helpful in evangelism, is nevertheless not absolutely necessary for establishing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God now exalted, the only proper object of faith unto salvation. The fact is, the Holy Spirit effected deep conviction for the sin of unbelief unto salvation though Peter did not proclaim, as a main focus, the merits of the death of Jesus – (at least Luke did not record that Peter did).
Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37)
So what is the path to true faith in the Person of Jesus unto salvation? Is it the path of the Decalogue unto agitation of the conscience unto clinging to the cross work of Christ alone for salvation? OR is the path to true saving faith the proclamation of the NOW Jesus Himself with “witness methodology” unto true Holy Spirit conviction for the sin of unbelief unto true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ unto true confessing Him as Lord, true calling on Him in baptism, and true Holy Spirit salvation from His throne on high?
We must conclude, based on Peter’s sermon, (and every other evangelistic sermon found in Acts) that the guilt and deep conviction that a person experiences unto true faith in the Person of Jesus, is NOT a guilt in relation to the Decalogue. It is in relation to a Person – the embodiment of all the Law and the Prophets – and in relation to witnesses bearing witness to this Person!
In Acts 2, it was the power of the Spirit that brought a deep conviction of sin and turning unto Jesus for the salvation of souls. But, here is the question as it relates to evangelism norms for today. What means did the Holy Spirit use to bring about this conviction of sin in relation to Jesus? Did He use the Decalogue? Or did He use the proclamation of Jesus Himself combined with attesting witnesses to His Person?
What is our grand goal in evangelism? It is that people would come to know for certain that … “God has made this Jesus, Who up until now they have been ignorant of, ignored, been careless toward, ho hum toward, spurned, mocked, cursed or denied, to be both Lord and Christ! This is our grand goal because we know that ONLY when a person comes to believe in this NOW Jesus, confess this NOW Jesus and call upon this NOW Jesus will they be saved!
Is this your great goal in evangelism? I hope so! And how can we bring people to this confident assurance except by Apostolic witness methodology? We cannot!
Furthermore,the Apostolic witness method of evangelism combined with the Apostolic proclamation, “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God NOW resurrected and exalted,” allows only two possible responses. The hearer might turn from unbelief to believing that Jesus is the NOW resurrected Christ, the exalted Son of God unto salvation or the hearer might sink further into culpable unbelief unto judicial hardening. Thus, immediate baptism becomes meaningful and important. Baptism, as an outward form of calling on the name of King Jesus for that cleansing and new life symbolized by the waters, ought to take place the moment a person turns from unbelief to “knowing for certain” in relation to this Jesus. Delay in baptism is a symptom of a message and methodology that differs from Apostolic.
Again, I would emphasize that the issue at stake is turning from unbelief to belief in relation to the Person of Jesus. Thus, the absence of the Decalogue in Peter’s evangelism is not surprising. He is after that conviction of that sin which one needs to turn from in order to be saved. This does not come by plowing the soil with the Ten Commandments. It comes by proclaiming the identity of Jesus with witnesses. This is not a method of human wisdom but of a simple proclamation of the NOW Jesus with witness methodology unto Holy Spirit conviction unto salvation.
Admittedly, Peter accuses his audience of unjustly putting Jesus to death. This was indeed a violation of the 6th commandment, “You shall not murder.” But Peter does not press their consciences with: “This is a violation of the 6th commandment.” He seems to have a different focus. Peter does indeed hold the conscience of His audience to the fire, but it’s not the fire of the Ten Commandments. It is a hotter fire. This hotter fire includes basic conscience issues such as murder, but it doesn’t stop there. It reaches deeper and is more penetrating. Murder is one issue. But the deeper issue is the Person of mistreatment. This is the heart of what Peter seems to be driving at.
This deeper issue of sin is the conviction focus of the Spirit. This is confirmed by Jesus own words.
…the Helper…when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin…because they do not believe in Me…” (John 16:7-9).
Jesus does not say, “When the Spirit comes He will convict the world concerning sin because they do not obey God’s Ten Commandments.” Instead Jesus declares the focus for conviction: “…because they do not believe in Me!”
The theory of needing to plow with the Decalogue in evangelism is bunk. There is a hotter fire.
And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. (John 16:8)
Without expounding this passage, suffice it to say that it is the Holy Spirit that brings conviction of sin. In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin revolves around Jesus, His Person, His exaltation and His judgment. Peter exemplifies the message and the methodology through which the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin in relation to Jesus – that being THE WITNESS METHOD in relation to the resurrected exalted man of God’s appointment - the NOW Jesus Himself. Agitation or stinging of the conscience with thundering from Sinai is not that preparation necessary for faith in Jesus. In fact, such agitation and stinging combined with emotional personalization of the atonement, is counterfeit repentance and faith. The proclamation of the NOW Jesus Himself combined with witness methodology evangelism is what is necessary for true piercing of the heart and faith in Jesus! It is the job of the Spirit to bring this true conviction of sin in relation to unbelief unto true faith in Jesus!
Peter’s audience had been self-deceived in relation to Jesus. This is the problem of most today. Our aim at conviction of sin might take on a form something as follows.
In the past, what has been your attitude toward this risen exalted Man at God’s right hand? Careless? Indifferent? Uncommitted? Procrastinating? Scoffing? Mocking? Using His name as a swear word? There is one word that describes all such. That word is unbelief! And unbelief is not innocent. Such displays enmity against God like nothing else! In fact, unbelief in relation to the Person of Jesus Christ is the ultimate sin. It is worse than stealing, lying, cheating, murder, coveting or adultery. This is because unbelief is not a horizontal sin. It is a vertical sin. Among many other things, it is to call God a liar to His face.
The one who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself (the indwelling Holy Spirit); the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the witness that God has borne concerning His Son. (1 John 5:10 with parenthesis added)
Beware lest such treatment of God’s Christ continues in your life. And flatter yourself no longer! You might claim you have had love for God. You might claim you have had no quarrel with God. You might say that you have not despised God? But your past treatment of the Man of God’s appointment, is all telling! Your treatment of the Son is your treatment of the Father. Careless toward Jesus? Indifferent? Uncommitted? Procrastinating? Scoffing? Mocking? Using His name as a swear word? Ashamed? Behold your treatment of God! To be unbelieving in relation to King Jesus is to be at enmity with God!
Oh my friend, if your treatment of this Jesus is anything less than bended knee reverent homage forsaking all rivals and pleading for what only He can give, what will you do on that day when your path leads to God? And every path does lead to God. Needless to say, you will be in a hell of a lot of trouble! Why? Jesus is the chosen Man of God’s favor, His representative and appointed judgment day “house cleaner.” And He will “clean house!” He will punish all those who have given abundant evidence, by their treatment of God’s Representative, that really and truly, though they may flatter themselves to the contrary, they hate God, despise God and do not have an ounce of love for God.
But right now King Jesus is not in the “house cleaning” business. He is in the “restoration” business.
But He will only restore on His terms. And His terms are that you believe He is Who He claims to be and will do for you what He claims He will do as you call on Him for it.
Anything less is inexcusable. God has given abundant witness. All the prophets have born witness. John the Baptist has bore witness. The Apostles have bore witness. The Holy Spirit has born witness. The works of Jesus have born witness. Jesus Himself has born witness regarding Himself. Millions throughout the centuries have confirmed the truth of these witnesses by testifying that when they have called on the name of King Jesus, they have received from His throne, pardoning peace with God and Holy Spirit indwelling unto eternal life.
Would you make God out to be a liar? Would you turn your back on God by turning away from his Son. If you fail to believe that He is the Christ of God exalted on high, what will you do when your path leads to God – for surely it will! You will have no one to blame but yourself for your own condemnation!
So right now, without delay believe and confess that Jesus is the Man of God’s appointment at God’s own right hand. Delay is unbelief and only leads to hardness of heart.
He is the exalted Lamb of God who can take away your sins. God made a public display of His Son as an appeasement sacrifice for sinners 2000 years ago. Before that, Jesus Created the world and spoke life into existence. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised that the grave could not hold Him and that He now has the power to give you eternal life. Call upon this exalted Man at God’s right hand and be baptized in His name!
And when the road of your life leads to God – for it surely will – it will not be the worst day of your life, but the best day along with all those who have called on His exalted and blessed Name!
Our message is the NOW Jesus. Our methodology is the “witness method.” And it is the “witness method” that the Holy Spirit will use to effect deep conviction of sin – not in relation to transgressions of the Decalogue, but in relation to unbelief in God’s Christ, the Son of God now exalted on high. It is along these lines that we are to deal with souls unto conviction of sin for unbelief unto turning from unbelief to saving faith. As we proclaim this message with this methodology, can we not pray in faith for fire from heaven unto the salvation of 1000’s of souls!
NOW Jesus Tract
Cross Worship 
Gospel Truncation
MAKE Jesus Lord?
All Roads Lead to Heaven