Jesus didn’t say we should try to be His witnesses. He didn’t say we might be. He said, you WILL be My witnesses. Many sermons encourage us to “go and witness,” but Jesus wasn’t giving an assignment—He was making a declaration! The power of the Holy Spirit in us is the witness. Our lives—who we are and how we live—testify to His presence. When we embrace this truth, we stop striving to “do” witnessing and start being a witness in every aspect of life.
“But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
What stands out in this verse? “You will be My witnesses.” Not try to be, not work at being—you WILL be!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent much of my faith journey feeling the pressure to do witnessing. I’d hear preachers say, “You need to go out and witness!”—and while I knew evangelism was important, I often felt like I wasn’t doing enough. Maybe you’ve felt this way too.
But Jesus wasn’t giving His disciples a task list. He was making a declaration.
The first part of the verse sets the foundation: “You will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”
The Greek word for “power” here is dunamis, which means strength, power, or ability. It’s where we get the words dynamite, dynamo, and dynamic. This isn’t just ordinary strength—it’s explosive, unstoppable, supernatural power.
And notice: Jesus links this power directly to being a witness. We aren’t witnesses because we try hard enough. We are witnesses because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, transforming our lives into living testimonies.
When we receive the Holy Spirit, we don’t just get a little boost—we receive divine power that makes us living reflections of Christ. This power isn’t just for preaching or evangelizing—it’s for every aspect of our lives.
Many of us have been taught that witnessing is something we do. We think of it as an activity—handing out tracts, going on mission trips, or sharing our faith with strangers.
But Jesus didn’t say, “Go and do witnessing.” He said, “You will be witnesses.”
This means:
Being a witness isn’t about going somewhere special—it’s about being who God created you to be, wherever you are.
Here’s an interesting thought: Did the disciples personally reach the ends of the earth? No! At that time, the concept of “the ends of the earth” wasn’t even something they could fully comprehend.
But Jesus wasn’t just talking about their physical travels. He was saying that the gospel itself—through the power of the Holy Spirit—would spread everywhere. And guess what? It has!
The disciples were witnesses, not because they made it their goal to check off locations on a map, but because their lives, empowered by the Spirit, ignited a movement that continues today.
He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has fixed by His own authority.”
Think about that. The disciples wanted specifics—they wanted to know when the kingdom would be restored. But Jesus redirected them. He told them, it’s not about knowing—it’s about being.
This truth still applies to us today. We often want God to lay out a detailed plan: Where should I go? What exactly should I say? What’s my mission?
But Jesus is saying: You don’t need all the details. You just need the Holy Spirit.
The real witness isn’t something we create—it’s the Holy Spirit working in us.
Paul affirms this:
“You are our letter [of recommendation], written in our hearts, recognized and read by everyone.”
Your life is a letter—a living, breathing testimony of God’s power.
So many of us feel like we need to push ourselves into uncomfortable situations to be “good” witnesses. But Jesus didn’t say witnessing was a job we had to force ourselves into. He said it would be a natural result of the Holy Spirit’s power in us.
Let go of the pressure. Instead, focus on being filled with the Spirit, and let Him shape your witness naturally.
You don’t have to go on a mission trip to be effective for God. Right now, in your daily life, you are already a witness to those around you.
Your coworkers, your spouse, your kids, your friends—they see the way you live. The way you handle stress, conflict, joy, and setbacks speaks volumes about your faith.
It’s easy to feel inadequate. But remember, the same dunamis power that transformed the disciples is available to you today.
Beloved, Jesus wasn’t giving you a task—He was giving you an identity.
When the Holy Spirit fills you, you ARE His witness. You don’t have to try harder, strive more, or stress about how to witness. Just stay connected to Him, and the witness will flow through you naturally.
Because in the end, it’s not about what you do—it’s about who you are in Christ.
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This blog and podcast are a reflection of my journey as a follower of Christ, a disabled combat veteran, and a lifelong seeker of personal growth, faith, and resilience. Through radical honesty and authentic conversations, I share my struggles, victories, and lessons learned in overcoming fear, trust issues, and self-doubt. My mission is to inspire, encourage, and empower others to live with faith, purpose, and intention—embracing challenges, breaking strongholds, and pursuing the life God has called us to live.
