Court room witnesses testify to what they saw or heard. They are sworn to tell the truth. It takes no special skill or power to be this type of witness. However, to be a witness for Jesus Christ, and tell others what the truth, we do need a special power. That power comes in the form of the Holy Spirit living within us. And we are witnesses, not only by our words, but our deeds testify that we know Jesus and that He is living within us and through us.
Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The phrase “you will” is used twice in this verse and carries with it the meaning that these things will certainly occur and always happen together. You will receive power by the Holy Spirit, which inevitably leads to you witnessing for Jesus. So by our words and our actions we must be declaring the love, forgiveness, kindness, grace and mercy of Jesus. This verse is both a command and a promise. The command is that we should be witnesses for Jesus. The promise is that He will provide us power through the Holy Spirit.
Reluctant Retiree 