KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:4 “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.”

In our key scripture, the two opposing views ensued fully in Jerusalem and were received by the Apostles, elders, and the church. Paul and Barnabas declared to the congregation all the things God had done with them.

  Paul testified to all that God had done with them. It is good to testify to the goodness of the Lord. What do these testimonies do?

Testimonies declare the faithfulness of God. It is an act of praising God for His faithfulness. It is also a way of thanking the Lord for His faithfulness.

Testimonies make you count your blessings. This helps you to be assured of your next victory. When David met King Saul during the challenge of Goliath, he recounted or recaptured what God had done in his life. 1st Samuel 17:36 “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defiled the armies of the living God “. David, after rehearsing all that God has been doing with him, said this one would be like one of them.

Testimonies overcome the devil. Revelation 12:11. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death “. Testimonies show the defeat of Satan, and it overpowers him. (Note that anytime you declare your defeat, it is testifying to Satan’s victory, and it makes the enemy rise mightily in your life) Never testify to the victory of the devil.

Testimonies strengthen the faith of others. The brethren in Phenice and Samaria rejoiced over the testimonies of Paul and Barnabas. Joy is an expression of strength and inner strength.

Testimonies become the point of reference for others to trust God in similar challenging times. When Elisha got to the bank of Jordan, he shouted Where is the Lord God of Elijah, and then he struck the river with Elijah’s mantle, dividing the river. Elijah’s victory of dividing the river was the reference point for Elisha to do the same.

Testimonies give us grounds to follow the faith of those who conquered. Heb. 13:7-8 “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow considering the end of the conversation (manner of life). Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever”. If you do what they did, you will have the same results because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 CONFESSION

I testify to God’s goodness and love towards me. I testify to His deliverance from the claws of wickedness. I am more than a conqueror. My faith is continually made stronger because of His praise in my mouth.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Corinthians 2:1” And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.”

Revelation 19:10 “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.