The power of a Testimony

Testifying to God’s glorious goodness and power is life changing beyond our comprehension, to us, and those to whom we testify. The way we should think about testimony and approach it is beautifully demonstrated in Acts 11. It shows us that we should look for the opportunity, be prepared to hear from God, listen carefully and pay attention to what He says, obey His instruction, embrace the body of Christ, test and confirm His Word, and finally testify and celebrate His Glory. Our lives need changing, the testimony of Jesus changes everything!

Scripture

Acts 11:1-18 ESV  Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.  [2]  So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,  [3]  “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”  [4]  But Peter began and explained it to them in order:  [5]  “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.  [6]  Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.  [7]  And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’  [8]  But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’  [9]  But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’  [10]  This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.  [11]  And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.  [12]  And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.  [13]  And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;  [14]  he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’  [15]  As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.  [16]  And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’  [17]  If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?”  [18]  When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Bible Study Questions

Look for The Opportunity

The opportunity to testify to the work of God is often wrapped in an uncomfortable situation, and come even follow times of spiritual growth or victory. A great move of the Holy Spirit had happened and blessed Peter, Cornelius and everyone involved. Not everyone celebrated though. What does this remind us about how we should deal with uncomfortable situations.

Acts 11:1-18 ESV  Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.  [2]  So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,  [3]  “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”  

2 Timothy 4:1-2 ESV  I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:  [2]  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Luke 21:12-15 ESV  But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.  [13]  This will be your opportunity to bear witness.  [14]  Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,  [15]  for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

Be prepared to hear His Holy Spirit

Peter was not seeking an encounter with God He was seeking daily fellowship with Him. When we’re committed to being in God’s will we can expect to encounter Him in one way or another. Part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry to the Church is to communicate through dreams, visions and prophecy. How can we learn from Peter and Cornelius to hear the voice of God?

Acts 11:4-7 ESV But Peter began and explained it to them in order:  [5]  “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.  [6]  Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.  [7]  And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’  

Joel 2:28-29 ESV  “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.  [29]  Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

Acts 10:4 ESV  And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

Acts 10:9-10 ESV  The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.  [10]  And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance

Obey The Instruction

All encounters with God are a blessing, experiences of God always have an important purpose. When we have an experience with God, we might ask of all sorts of questions, the most important one should be “what do you want me to do Lord?”. Why is this so important?

Acts 11:8-9 ESV  But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’  [9]  But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’  

1 Samuel 15:22 ESV  And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Listen carefully to God’s intimate personal voice

God created us in the womb and recreated us in Christ Jesus when we were born of the Holy Spirit. He knows exactly how to speak to us and how to ensure that we get the message. Sometimes this is done with repetition. What does this repetition tell us about God’s way of reaching us and what role do you think repetition plays in Peter’s vision?

Acts 11:10-12 ESV This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.  [11]  And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.  [12]  And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.  

Matthew 26:75 ESV  And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

John 21:17 ESV  He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Embrace the body of Christ

God calls Peter and Cornelius independently but in a way that there callings verify one another. We are not called into God’s service to serve ourselves or by ourselves. We are called into His Church to work as a member of His body..

Acts 11:13-14 ESV  And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;  [14]  he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’  

1 Corinthians 12:18-20 ESV  But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.  [19]  If all were a single member, where would the body be?  [20]  As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,  [16]  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Confirm according to His Word

The enemy can counterfeit miracles, and experiences to deceive us and draw us away from God and to chasing experiences. Not only should we seek God and His will rather seeking experiences, but we also need to judge all our experiences according to Scripture to discern whether it from Him. How do Peter’s words show us that He has done just that?

Acts 11:15-17 ESV  As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.  [16]  And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’  [17]  If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?”  

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 ESV  Do not quench the Spirit.  [20]  Do not despise prophecies,  [21]  but test everything; hold fast what is good.

Acts 17:11 ESV  Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

2 Corinthians 11:13-14 ESV  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  [14]  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Testify and Celebrate God’s Glory

When we seek God and His will, respond to His instructions, and test His response according to the Word, then we can and must testify to His goodness and power.

Acts 11:18 ESV  When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”