“You shall be witnesses to Me….” (Acts 1:8 NKJ).
Jesus promised His followers an enduement of power. The end result would be their witness to the world. The Greek word translated witnesses here is martus (mar’-toos) from which we derived our English word martyr.
We usually think of martyrs as those early Christians who were fed to the lions or burned at the stake. Church history records thousands of heroic deeds of Christian martyrs who gave their lives for the faith. Their stories have inspired many believers with new courage and strength.
Martus has other meanings in addition to martyrdom. The verb form of this word means “to testify.” The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to live a life that is a testimony to others. Perhaps you are the only Christian in your office, factory or department. If so, your lifestyle should be a testimony of your Christian faith. Those around you who do not know the Lord should be able to see in your life a quality that is missing in their own.
We “testify” with more than just words. How we live, we conduct ourselves, how we react and respond in awkward and unpleasant situations is also a witness or testimony to our faith (or lack of it!). An overcoming and victorious life is a great testimony to the world.
To testify means “to give evidence or produce facts,” “to exhibit truth,” or “to confirm claims.” One form of evidence is signs, wonders, and miracles. The early Church depended upon the Lord to confirm their witness with supernatural signs. In Acts 1:8 the Lord Jesus declared His disciples would be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Mark 16:17-18 He promised that their witness would be backed up with divine evidence.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.