Eye Witness to Christ’s Resurrection #
Acts 2:42 — And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers.
The Word “Steadfastly” – A Closer Look #
The Greek word translated as “steadfastly” is proskarteréō (προσκαρτερέω). It combines pros (towards) and karteréō (to be strong or endure), giving the sense of persistent adherence, unwavering devotion, and courageous endurance.
According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, it means:
- To be constantly devoted
- To continue all the time in a place
- To persevere and not faint
- To be in constant readiness
In today’s language, it means being firm in purpose, consistent in practice, and loyal in affection—a necessary trait for anyone claiming to be a witness to Christ’s resurrection.
The Power of Testimony in the Early Church #
God has always been at work restoring His people, but in this present age, we witness the unfolding of what began with the recovery of justification by faith. Yet this is not about a movement or a man. It is about the divine government of Christ that has no end, governing through the wisdom and power of the Spirit.
Colossians 1:18 — He is also the Head [the Life-Source and Leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.
This church was never meant to be a religious institution. It is an expression of Christ’s life. What the apostles carried and taught wasn’t an institution but an indwelling testimony—the kind that could only come by seeing, touching, and knowing the resurrected Lord.
Four Foundations of the Early Church #
Acts 2:42 — And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers.
Four pillars upheld the Church:
- The Apostles’ Doctrine
- Fellowship
- Breaking of Bread
- Prayers
These weren’t religious rituals but spiritual patterns. The early believers didn’t follow these out of obligation. These practices flowed from their inner testimony of having met the risen Lord through the Holy Spirit.
The Apostles’ Doctrine – A Living Message #
Acts 5:28 — Saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us!”
The apostles didn’t preach a general message—they carried a doctrine (didaché) that they had received directly from Jesus. It wasn’t mere theology. It was a living revelation. And they refused to water it down.
Acts 1:8 — 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.
This power (Greek: dunamis) was not for performance, but for witnessing (Greek: martys)—to testify even at the cost of their lives. That is what made their message unstoppable. They had seen something, and they were compelled to speak.
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Witnessing #
John 15:26 — But when the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father—that is the Spirit of Truth Who comes from the Father—He will testify and bear witness about Me.
John 15:27 — But you will testify also and be My witnesses because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Here lies the dual witness—the Spirit testifies, and we testify with Him. This is what makes our preaching effective: not just articulation, but participation with the Holy Spirit. Without this dual witness, Christianity becomes powerless.
Acts 5:32 — And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has bestowed on those who obey Him.
The apostles were not alone in their mission. The Spirit confirmed their message with authority and power. The world was impacted not because of good sermons, but because divine power met human weakness.
Testimony is Not a Story, But a Witness #
Revelation 12:11 — And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.
The Greek word for testimony here is “martyria” (μαρτυρία)—it means a legal witness, evidence, or report. It’s not merely sharing how God helped you in tough times. It’s a living expression of His resurrection. We overcome not by experience alone, but by becoming proof of His life.
Many believers today have a biography but no testimony. A true witness is not just someone who talks about Jesus—they become the visible evidence that Jesus is alive.
Why the Church Feels Powerless Today #
There’s a difference between influence and impact. Many churches today seek cultural relevance by copying the world—style, language, and entertainment. But relevance doesn’t equal transformation. What we need is the power of resurrection, not performance.
Christ did not send us to attract the world but to turn it upside down. When we walk in the Spirit’s power, our testimony cannot be ignored.
Acts 1:4 — While being together and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised—“Of which,” He said, “you have heard Me speak.”
The Lord’s strategy has never changed. Wait for power. Receive the Spirit. Go and testify. Not with arguments, but with evidence—spiritual, visible, undeniable.
This Is Our Calling #
Galatians 1:15-16 — But when God, who had chosen me and set me apart before I was born, and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles [as the good news, the way of salvation]…
This calling is not just for Paul. Every believer has been called to reveal Christ—not just externally but from within. We are not promoters of a religion. We are vessels of divine testimony.
Conclusion – The Restoration of the Witness #
The world will not bow to a powerless church. But the Spirit is restoring the true witness—those who have encountered the risen Lord and are transformed by Him. Their message carries weight. Their life bears fruit. Their words bring conviction. Their presence brings Christ.
We must go beyond routine Christianity. We must become eyewitnesses—those who have truly seen, heard, and handled the Word of life.
1 John 1:1 — [We are writing] about what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life [the One who existed even before the beginning of the world, Christ]
Let us return to the apostle’s doctrine—not as a formula, but as a fountain of life.
In Christ,
Shaliach
