The Oxford dictionary defines the word “witness” as “having knowledge of (an event or change) from personal observation or experience.”
A witness is someone who saw or heard the crime or may have vital information about the crime or the defendant.
What are the three basic requirements for a person to qualify as a competent witness?
A competent witness has the sufficient mental capacity to perceive, remember, and narrate the incident they have observed. A competent witness must also be able to understand and appreciate the nature and obligation of an oath.
In the Bible, a witness sees something unique or essential. If this person begins to share what they have seen, we call this “bearing witness.” It’s a simple word, but being a witness carries much responsibility!
Acts 1: 8 states, “But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.
When called to be a witness, Paul was bold and passionate about his experience with the Lord. He was neither afraid nor ashamed because his encounter with God changed his life. He knew who he was before God met him and was willing to suffer and die to share this truth with the world.
I reflect on my own life and hope that if someone were looking for people to be a witness for Christ, I could be identified as a witness because my life demonstrates that I walk with him.
Jesus’s disciple Peter, fearing for his safety, denied Christ instead of boldly standing up and saying, “Yes, I know him.” That’s like so many of us; when unsure how things will work out, we quickly turn our backs on Jesus.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” ( Romans 1:16 ). The Gospel is good news, and this good news is reason to rejoice and reason to stand firm and boldly proclaim it.
As we remember Jesus’s sacrifice in the days leading up to reflecting on his death and resurrection, may we commit to being powerful witnesses for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and sinners can be brought to salvation through our testimonies.