Special Witnesses

“Special Witnesses,” Friend, Feb 1999, 34

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God (John 6:69

When John the Baptist saw Jesus Christ the day after he had baptized Him, he testified, “And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34). He also testified to two of his followers, John and Andrew, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36).

After hearing these words, John and Andrew left John the Baptist and followed the Savior. Jesus Christ stopped and asked them what they wanted. When they asked Him where He lived, He invited them to come and see. Later, Andrew told his brother Simon (Peter), “We have found the [Messiah], which is, being interpreted, the Christ” (John 1:41)

The next day Jesus Christ met Philip, who was from Bethsaida, the same city as Andrew and Peter. Philip knew who Jesus Christ was, and he went to his friend Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) and testified, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45).

The Savior chose and ordained Peter, Andrew, John, Philip, and Bartholomew along with seven other men to be His Apostles (see Matt. 10:2–4). He called these men to help Him preach the gospel and be witnesses of His name.

Jesus Christ knew that many of His followers didn’t really have testimonies of His divinity, so He challenged their beliefs. After many of them left, He asked the Apostles, “Will ye also go away?

“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? …

“And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:67–69.)

Shortly before the Savior was to be crucified, He asked His Apostles, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

“And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:13–16.)

Even though Jesus Christ does not live on the earth with us now, we can have a testimony of Him, too, like these special witnesses, if we pray, study the scriptures, and try to choose the right.

Color the flannel-board figures, then mount them on heavy paper. Cut them out and use them to retell the story of the Special Witnesses.

Filed under: Lesson 9: Jesus Christ Calls His Apostles, But whom say ye that I am, Lesson 9: Jesus Christ Calls His Apostles, Son of the living God, Special Witnesses