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Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
Witnesses of the Cross
After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples, clothed
with the divine panoply, went forth as witnesses, to tell the wonderful
story of the manger and the cross. They were humble men, but they
went forth with the truth. After the death of their Lord they were
a helpless, disappointed, discouraged company—as sheep without
a shepherd; but now they go forth as witnesses for the truth, with
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no weapons but the word and Spirit of God, to triumph over all
opposition.
Their Saviour had been rejected and condemned, and nailed to
the ignominious cross. The Jewish priests and rulers had declared,
in scorn, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the
King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will
believe Him.” But that cross, that instrument of shame and torture,
brought hope and salvation to the world. The believers rallied; their
hopelessness and conscious helplessness had left them. They were
transformed in character, and united in the bonds of Christian love.
Although without wealth, though counted by the world as mere
ignorant fishermen, they were made, by the Holy Spirit, witnesses
for Christ. Without earthly honor or recognition, they were the
heroes of faith. From their lips came words of divine eloquence and
power that shook the world.
The third, fourth, and fifth chapters of Acts give an account of
their witnessing. Those who had rejected and crucified the Saviour
expected to find His disciples discouraged, crestfallen, and ready
to disown their Lord. With amazement they heard the clear, bold
testimony given under the power of the Holy Spirit. The words
and works of the disciples represented the words and works of their
Teacher; and all who heard them said, They have learned of Jesus,
they talk as He talked. “And with great power gave the apostles
witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was
upon them all.”
The chief priests and rulers thought themselves competent to
decide what the apostles should do and teach. As they went forth
preaching Jesus everywhere, the men who were worked by the Holy
Spirit did many things that the Jews did not approve. There was
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danger that the ideas and doctrines of the rabbis would be brought