BEARING WITNESS IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

SCRIPTURE READING ACT 17:22-311 PETER 3:13-22JOHN 14:15-21SUNDAY REFLECTION REFLECTION The theme for our reflection is “BEARING WITNESS IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT”. To “bear witness” means to share what we have seen, heard, and experienced about Jesus Christ with others. This is not done by our own strength but through the “Power of the…

Jean-Paul Agidi

May 8, 2026

3–5 minutes

bible, christianity, faith, god, jesus

SCRIPTURE READING

ACT 17:22-31
1 PETER 3:13-22
JOHN 14:15-21
SUNDAY REFLECTION

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “BEARING WITNESS IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT”. To “bear witness” means to share what we have seen, heard, and experienced about Jesus Christ with others. This is not done by our own strength but through the “Power of the Spirit,” which refers to the divine strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The key lesson in our Scripture readings is that a true witness is someone who lives in obedience to God and relies on the Holy Spirit to speak the truth and endure challenges.

The background of our texts shows various settings of witnessing: Paul speaking to the thinkers in Athens (Acts 17:22-31), Peter encouraging Christians facing unfair treatment (1 Peter 3:13-22), and Jesus promising the Holy Spirit to His disciples before His death (John 14:15-21).

The Power to Speak the Truth

One key lesson is that the Holy Spirit gives us the courage and wisdom to tell others about God. In Acts 17:22-23, Paul noticed that the people of Athens were very religious but did not know the true God. He said, “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”

Bearing witness means helping people move from ignorance to the truth. For example, when a friend is lost or confused about the purpose of life, we can gently share how God created the world and loves them. The Spirit helps us find the right words to say that God “commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30) because of His great love and justice.

The Power to Live Rightly

Bearing witness is not just about our words; it is about how we live. We are called to show Christ’s character in our daily actions. Peter tells us to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

If we are honest at work when others are cheating, or if we are kind when others are rude, we are bearing witness. Our good behaviour makes those who speak against us feel ashamed of their slander. The Spirit gives us the power to choose what is right, even when it is difficult, because “it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17).

The Presence of the Helper

Finally, we cannot bear witness alone. Jesus promises that if we love Him and keep His commands, He will give us a Helper. He says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17).

In times of loneliness or when we feel afraid to speak about our faith, we must remember that we are not orphans. The Holy Spirit lives within us. This presence gives us the inner peace to stay faithful. Jesus promises, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). This assurance allows us to stand tall and bear witness even when the world does not understand us.

Conclusion

In summary, bearing witness in the power of the Spirit involves speaking the truth about God, living a life of good character, and relying on the Holy Spirit as our constant Helper. We have seen that Paul used the Spirit’s wisdom to teach the ignorant, and Peter encouraged us to use the Spirit’s strength to suffer for what is right.

Call to Action: This week, I invite you to identify one person in your life who does not know the “Unknown God.” Ask the Holy Spirit for the power to share your faith with them through a kind word or a helpful deed. Let your life be a living testimony of the love of Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Lord, help us to be bold witnesses of Your truth. Give us the strength to obey Your commands and the gentleness to share Your Word with others. May our lives reflect the light of Christ in everything we do. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.