Empowered to Witness: Living in the Light of the Resurrection

Acts 5:27-32

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." 29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

John 20:19-31

19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." 28Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Introduction: A Concise Comparative Analysis of Acts 5:27-32 and John 20:19-31

Both Acts 5:27-32 and John 20:19-31 highlight critical moments in the early Church (The body of Christ.), derived from Jesus' post-resurrection appearances, focusing on obedience, faith, and the Holy Spirit's transformative power. In the face of fear and opposition, the Apostles exemplified unwavering obedience to God's call, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and anchored in the peace of Christ, they inspired the early Church to growth, thereby reminding us that as witnesses of His resurrection, we too are commissioned to boldly proclaim the gospel. Embracing faith over doubt, they transformed the world around them with the love and grace of Jesus.

Unyielding Obedience to God

The apostles’ declaration, “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29), encapsulates a core tenet of the Reformed tradition: the sovereignty of God over all aspects of life. This insistence on divine obedience challenges us to evaluate our own priorities. In a culture that often pressures us to conform to societal norms or governmental mandates, the apostles remind us that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. God Alone! For the Church today, this means standing firm in the truth of the gospel, even when it is unpopular or meets resistance. As individuals, we are called to reflect on our own lives, ad decisions that we make every day—what are our beliefs, and are they consistent with Christ’s teachings? Are we compromising our beliefs for the sake of acceptance or comfort? The apostles’ example encourages us to boldly proclaim the truth of Christ. We should always advocate for justice, mercy, and grace, regardless of the consequences. Their actions inspired the righteous to live with integrity and conviction, serving as beacons of hope in a world that desperately needs the light of the gospel.

Witnessing to the Resurrection

The apostles were not merely passive observers of Christ’s resurrection, nor recipients of His grace; they were active witnesses, who were empowered to share the good news of salvation. In Acts 5:32, Peter affirms their role as witnesses, emphasizing that they had seen the risen Lord. Is this call to witness echoed in your life today? If you hesitate when asking yourself that question, or you must think hard to recall a moment where you have shared the love of Christ, then you may not like the answer to that question.

For the Church, this means that our mission is to testify to the transformative power of the resurrection. It means we are to invite others to seek a relationship with Jesus. Each believer is entrusted with the responsibility to share their personal testimony of faith, illustrating how Christ has changed their lives. This does not mean to go down to the street corner and start testifying, or to force your story on anyone. It means, simply, to extend the hand of grace and, if asked, share your experience with the divine. To quote many famous t-shirts on the internet; “Be the change you wish to see.” Your life should be the example of the transformation and grace of Christ in your life. If you examine your life, can you find and example to share?

As individuals, Christ encourages us to recognize that our stories—our struggles, our victories, and our encounters with God—serve as powerful testimonies of His grace. They are echoed through our actions in our homes, our communities, and in our Church. The apostles' boldness in proclaiming the resurrection invites us to share the hope we have in Christ with others. It is our witness that can lead others to a relationship with the divine, through the Holy Spirit. You life may inspire to experience the life-changing love of God.

Reliance on the Holy Spirit

We should never discount the Holy Spirit’s part in this lesson. Too often pastor’s focus on Thomas and his faith. However, it is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the apostles’ lives that is crucial for their mission. In John 20:22, Jesus breathes the Spirit (Hebrew, Ruach – or breath of God) onto His disciples, empowering them to carry out the work He began. Thomas had faith, but he would not blindly follow. There is a lesson in his story; Thomas sought the guidance of God, he sought the Holy Spirit. Once he received conformation, Thomas was just as unstoppable as any other Apostle.  This same Spirit is what drives us today, equipping us to live out our faith and fulfill our God-given purposes, as diverse and individualized as they are. Do you seek the Holy Spirit in your life? Can you set your ego aside long enough to submit to God’s will for your life? How do you live in the light of the resurrection?

For the Church, reliance on the Holy Spirit means that we are not called to operate in our own strength but to seek divine guidance and empowerment in all things. In the PC(USA), the Session, the Church’s spiritual leaders, are lifted by the congregation, to use their spiritual gifts, enabling the entire body to serve Christ effectively and to reach out to a world in need. The mechanism may be different in other denominations, but the goal of the Holy Spirit is the same – to motivate.

As individuals, we must cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit; actively seeking God’s will, humbling ourselves, to be sanctified by the Spirit. In doing so, the Spirit will lead us in our decisions, empower our witness, and transform our hearts. A reliance on the Holy Spirit is not a crutch nor is it weakness, it fosters a deeper intimacy with God, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with His wisdom and peace. Intimacy can only be achieved when we submit to God fully. Again, can you set your ego aside to find intimacy with God? Can you be that honest with yourself; with God?

 Conclusion

What we should learn from this lesson in the 2nd week of Easter is the actions of the apostles are not relics of the past; they are a clarion call for the Church today and for each of us as individuals. Their unwavering obedience, their role as witnesses, and their reliance on the Holy Spirit challenge us to embrace our identity as followers of Christ. As we reflect on their example, let us be inspired to live courageously, share our faith boldly, and depend on the Holy Spirit, knowing that we, too, are part of God’s redemptive story in the world.

As you step forward into the world today, do so with a sense of purpose, empowered by the same Spirit that guided the apostles, ready to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all nations, fulfilling your calling as His witness in a world that longs for hope and healing.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

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