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Updated:- Tuesday, October 31st, 2023

A Witness of His Resurrection

“Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection” (Acts 1:22).

After the ascension of Jesus Christ and the walk back to Jerusalem comes an important task. The disciples must choose from among themselves a witness of the resurrection of Jesus to replace Judas.

Our Bible reference today is Acts 1:12-26.

Therefore, they convene in an “Upper Room”. The purpose of their meeting is to “ordain” a person who is a witness with them of the resurrection of Jesus.

Consequently, a “roll-call” executes which identifies three distinct groups of witnesses of Jesus resurrection.

“And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James” (Acts 1:13).

4 Features of a Witness

Note how Luke by using “both Peter”, then he names the other ten apostles as one unit (Acts 1:13).

Next, when he writes “with the women” he creates another group.

The third group of witnesses is, “Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14).

We are building a foundation here. What is the significance of this grouping? As we progress, we will reveal its importance. We shall refer to these groups later.

From Acts 1:15 – 20 Apostle Peter explains three scriptural requirements of a male witness. He must satisfy certain criteria to qualify as a witness, with them, of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• He was numbered with them, (Acts 1:17; John 6:70).
• He must have been with Jesus’ Apostles while he was with them, (Acts 1:21).
• He must have been with them from “the baptism of John” to the “taken-up” of Jesus, (Acts 1:22).

The Holy Ghost Decides

In an earlier writing, I told you that after the resurrection of Jesus,he speaks to his Apostles via his Holy Ghost.

Just before his ascension into heaven, Jesus’ last teaching was about his resurrection and the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. Receiving the power to be a witness is one of those components.

Here is an example. The eleven apostles need to make a decision concerning Judas’ replacement. They narrowed the likely candidates down to two disciples: Joseph “called Bar-sa-bas”, surnamed Justus, and Mathias.

They didn’t just go ahead and ordain one. No, they asked for Jesus’ choice. So, they prayed.

“And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen” (Acts 1:234.

Next, they utilize their decision-making process to know His choice, (Acts 1:26). Then, based on the result of their procedure they choose Mathias. He is the Holy Ghost’s choice.

CONCLUSION

If the foundation is not strong, how can we build on it? The Lord Jesus Christ needed twelve Apostles. Each represents a son of Jacob (Israel); therefore, he couldn’t continue with eleven apostles.

Nevertheless, a choice is necessary. How else could the Scriptures be fulfilled? Up until the Eleven Apostles chose Mathias a woman couldn’t be “numbered with them”.

Even those at least three groups of persons witness Jesus’ resurrection the candidate must be a male.

To be a witness with us of Jesus’ resurrection you must be “numbered with them”. You must be a Believer.

Additionally, you must have experience with Jesus Christ. While Jesus was among them you have been there.

Then, you must have been with them from the Baptism of John until Jesus was taken up. Read the importance of this by clicking on the link above. Then, return here to continue.

Fifth Prerequisite for a Witness

However, there is a fifth prerequisite for a witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And to meet the next requirement the initial Apostles had to wait in Jerusalem until they received Him (Acts 1:4).

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost comes upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

You cannot claim to be a witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and not believe in him. Neither, can you be a witness and possess no experience with the Lord. What have you seen Him do? What have you done by Him?

And a true witness is not under the Law of Moses but under the law of faith in God through Jesus.

Finally, every witness must possess the resurrection power of the Holy Ghost. How else could you get anything done in his name?

Every Witness Must Possess This

To recap, up until this decision of the Eleven to ordain Mathias to be a witness, a woman couldn’t be a witness. Later, this will change. Because we all must wait for the source of our resurrection power to affect this change.

When He comes, even though you weren’t physically there you can unequivocally declare Jesus is alive. He is risen! Why? Because you have received his resurrection power and; therefore, you know without any doubts that he is alive. His Spirit witness to your spirit that he is alive.

Therefore, one of the most important consequences of receiving the Holy Ghost, is the fact, that you become a witness of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

With the advent of the Holy Ghost, you are numbered with the Believers in Jesus Christ. Now you have power.

And because you believed in Jesus Christ you have baptized in his name. You have satisfied the condition for being there since the Baptism of John.

Now as you go, tell someone that Jesus is alive. He loves you and died for your sins. You are now a witness to him and his resurrection.