As he was preparing to ascend to the Father, the risen Christ said to his disciples, " . . . you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8, NRSV). Later, in Acts 2:1-13, we read the account of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit into the lives of the first disciples. The Spirit empowered them to speak so that all who heard them could understand as they shared the good news of "God's deeds of power" (Acts 2:11) revealed and experienced by them in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It's important to notice here that the testimony of those first disciples was on what they had observed God doing in and for the world through the life and death of their friend, teacher, and Lord. The content of their witness was on "God's deeds of power" in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, Luke does not tell us what the disciples said to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem. But I suspect it was something similar to what Jesus said to the disciples of John when they inquired about his identity:

"'Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?' Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. And he answered them, 'Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.'" (Luke 7:20b-23, NRSV)

Notice that the first disciples did not talk about themselves. They did not give testimony to their personal faith. They did not want themselves and their experience to be the center of their witnessing. Rather, they wanted always to put Christ at the center. They were witnesses to Jesus Christ in the world and not witnesses to their own faith, beliefs, or experience. Their purpose always was to point people toward Jesus and not to themselves. They also knew that the simplest and best way to bring others into relationship with Christ is to tell the story of what he has done and is doing in the world. Christ was at the center of their testimony.

The first phrase of the General Rule of Discipleship reminds us that the first responsibility of discipleship is "to witness to Jesus Christ in the world." Individuals and congregations are called, equipped, and empowered to give testimony to what Christ has done, is doing, and will do to redeem planet Earth from the powers of sin and death. In other words, one of the privileges and responsibilities of living in the world as a disciple of Jesus Christ is to help those who do not know him to see how he is at work in the world and in their lives.

"To witness to Jesus Christ in the world" leads us to a way of evangelism that keeps Jesus and his work at the center of our testimony. The focus is on Jesus and not on my faith or experience of Jesus. "To witness to Jesus Christ in the world" means that we need to pay attention to what Jesus is doing in the world, then to share that good news with others who do not know Jesus. Our task is to help others see "God's mighty deeds of power" in their lives and in the world and to offer them friendship.

As we "follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit," we will be equipped with eyes to see how Christ is working in the world because, through the accountability and support of our Covenant Discipleship group, we are serving alongside him. As we obey his commands to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. . . . and to love your neighbor as yourself," his grace will equip us with eyes to see and ears to hear the ways and places where he is working in the world. Our testimony will be about him and not about ourselves or even about our group or church.

What do we look for? Where in the world will we find Jesus alive and at work? The Scriptures give us some helpful guidance:

"Go and tell . . .what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them" (Luke 7:22, NRSV).

"'I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer . . . 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me'" (Matthew 25:34-40).

Where in your world do you see eyes opened from physical or spiritual blindness? Where in your world have you seen or heard of either the physically or spiritually disabled and confined to wheelchairs having their limbs restored to wholeness? Where in your world do you see and hear stories of sick, weak, and vulnerable people who are being healed and given new hope? Where in your world do you see and hear about ears opened from physical or spiritual deafness? Where in your world do you see and hear about people who were once physically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually dead who are now filled with new life and hope? Where in your world do you see the poor receiving the good news of liberation from oppression and injustice: that they are beloved children of God and have received access to all the blessings of life and liberty? Where in your world do you see and hear of hungry people being fed, the thirsty given clean water to drink, strangers welcomed and given hospitality, those without adequate clothing receiving warm clean clothes, the sick receiving the care they need, and prisoners visited and loved as children of God? These are the places where — and the people among whom — Jesus is alive and active today.

The disciplined practice of the basics of Christian discipleship; the means of grace known as acts of compassion, justice, worship and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; coupled with the accountability and support received and given in a Covenant Discipleship group — these enable Christians to see the places, events, and people where Christ is alive and working in the world. Disciples share the good news that they see and hear in the world. When they engage in the practices of discipleship, God opens their eyes and ears, and they become faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ in the world.