But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me (Acts 1:8). You can’t make a godly witness out of yourself; only the Lord can make true witnesses for His Kingdom, and any other kind of witness is not a good one. The Lord will do unbelievable things for His children to make them witnesses for Him.

The Bible shows us that this is true. Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them (Acts 3:1-5). People had carried this lame man to the temple gate every day where he sat begging for money. Who would have thought that the Lord would make a great witness out of him? I’m sure that neither the apostles nor the lame man himself had ever dreamed of such a thing. He was over forty years old and had never walked.

This poor man had been a beggar all the days of his life, but this day was going to be different. He was going to become such a mighty witness for the Lord that 5000 people would be saved through his miracle. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand (Acts 4:4). That’s astounding!

A Miracle Day

As was probably usual, Peter and John passed by the lame man as they went into the temple to pray; and the man reached out his hand to ask for money. But this time, Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk (Acts 3:6). What did Peter have?—The power and the greatness of God, and he was going to serve them to the lame man.

God had moved on Peter to minister to this man, and he stretched forth his hand just as he had seen Jesus do while He was here on Earth. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God (Acts 3:7-9). What a marvelous witness the man was as he began shouting and praising the Lord!

And they [the people watching] knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering (Acts 3:10,11). Many people knew this man; they had seen him at the temple gate for years, so they could hardly believe what they were seeing. They wanted to know at once how it had come about, and the man told them about Peter and John.

Miracles Come from God

The people then rushed to them; but Peter said, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk (Acts 3:12)? Peter and John wanted the people to know that they had had nothing to do with the miracle; it had come through the power of the Lord. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all (Acts 3:16).

The beggar wasn’t just healed; he was made perfectly whole, and this remarkable miracle caused such a stir among the people that the Sadducees had Peter and John put in jail. And as they [Peter and John] spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide (Acts 4:1-3).

They brought Peter and John before the council asking, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them…Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole (Acts 4:7,8,10).

Miracles Speak to People

The Bible tells us that the man was among the people watching when Peter and John stood before the council. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it (Acts 4:14). There stood a mighty witness to God’s great power; he represented all that Jesus had done and suffered to set us free both spiritually and physically, and the council couldn’t dispute the miracle.

The Sadducees tried to silence Peter and John, but they knew the Gospel had to go forth. Peter was ready as he boldy faced the council. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard (Acts 4:18-20).

The council knew that they would be in trouble with the people if they punished Peter and John, so they had to let them go. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done (Acts 4:21).

There Stood That Man

There stood a living miracle! If the Sadducees and the unbelievers could have made the man disappear, I’m sure they would have; but they couldn’t get rid of that witness. The man had received a mighty miracle, and they couldn’t get away from it; yet they denied the power in the name of Jesus and the very divine blood that had brought it about. They turned away from God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. A mighty witness to the greatness of God stood before them, and they could have been saved, delivered and set free; but they chose to stay in bondage.

I can just hear them saying, We don’t want to see you around here anymore; we don’t like you. We’re not glad that you got a miracle, and we don’t want to hear about it. But there stood that miracle! We don’t want you to tell others about your miracle or claim that it happened through the name of Jesus. But there stood that witness. His soul was on fire for the Lord, and he was ready to do whatever God wanted him to do.

The Witness of a Blind Man

In the book of John, we read the account of another great witness. Jesus knew ahead of time that He was going to meet a blind man, and He knew that there was a miraculous work that needed to be done on him. He also knew that a miracle would make this man a real witness for His Kingdom. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing (John 9:1-7).

The blind man had received his sight, and there he stood—another witness for the Lord. Many of the people watching knew that the man had been blind all his life and said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he (John 9:8,9). I’m sure this man had heard about Jesus because he had faith and did what Jesus told him to do. He also had to have known something about God because he really preached to those unbelievers with boldness.

Proclaim the Truth

The man must have hidden many things in his heart that he had heard about God and His great love because when the Pharisees asked him how he had gotten his sight, he boldly answered, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight (John 9:11). The Pharisees didn’t believe his story, so they asked him again. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see (John 9:15).

The Pharisees still weren’t satisfied, so they asked his parents, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue (John 9:19-22). His parents knew that they would be thrown out of the synagogue if they acknowledged their son’s miracle, so they answered as they did and sent the Pharisees back to their son for their answers.

Never Compromise the Truth

There stood a miracle, but they still wouldn’t accept the truth. The man started to get angry when they kept questioning him; and he said, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is (John 9:27-29).

They tried to silence the man and put him in his place, but he continued on. Herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out (John 9:30-34). The man knew that only a person who had God with him could do such things.

This man was an amazing witness, and I’m sure Jesus was proud of him! Jesus wasn’t present when all of this questioning was going on; but when the Lord makes a witness, He gives that person a chance to do a perfect work for Him. The Pharisees even called Jesus a sinner, but this witness wouldn’t back down. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see (John 9:24,25). That was a great answer!

Be a Holy Ghost Witness

When you receive a true, born-again experience, it doesn’t matter how many scoffers or unbelievers say it’s not real. You know without a doubt that you were born spiritually blind, and now you see with God’s spiritual eyesight. You become a witness to the divine, saving, grace-blood of Jesus, the Son of the Living God; and you shout and sing the praises of God!

Then you must go on to become a witness to the baptism of the Holy Ghost just like the disciples received on the Day of Pentecost. Be baptized with the Holy Ghost fire that John the Baptist told about. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Matthew 3:11). Praise God that this great Holy Ghost baptism is available to all!

Stephen, the first martyr, was full of the Holy Ghost and what a glorious witness he made! The Bible says that he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:55).

An Amazing Young Witness

Of all the many witnesses the Lord made in the Bible, Stephen is one of my favorites. The Bible says that Stephen was full of the greatness of God. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people (Acts 6:8). Stephen preached a message of truth to the Jews before they killed him, and he really poured it on them. Read that sermon often because it will bless you, lift you out of despair and give you courage to be a greater witness in this final hour.

But remember that the truth cuts deep. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth (Acts 7:54). The people hated Stephen for his words of truth. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him (Acts 7:57, 58). Stephen was so young; but even today, the young can be great witnesses for the Lord. I became a witness for the Lord at eighteen, and I was bold with the Lord’s message. I was so full of His love and grace that I wanted the whole world to know about Jesus—His Crucifixion, His Resurrection and His soon return.

An Unsuspecting Witness

This story takes us to yet another witness, Saul. He had watched Stephen’s stoning and was glad to see it well done as he took care of the cloaks of those throwing the stones. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul (Acts 7:58). As Saul watched, he had no idea that Stephen’s stoning would later make him one of the greatest Jesus-witnesses who had ever lived. Right after Stephen’s death, Saul set out for Damascus to round up Christians and take them back to Jerusalem to be killed. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem (Acts 9:1,2).

But in spite of his hatred for Christians, Saul couldn’t get away from what he had seen or what he had heard Stephen say, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). What a witness! Stephen died in the same Spirit that Jesus did. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:59,60). What a beautiful picture of Stephen falling asleep in Jesus’ arms of love. It didn’t say Stephen died; it said he fell asleep. Think about dying just as peacefully as if you were falling asleep at night. As the stones fell on Stephen, he saw the glory of the Lord.

A Life-changing Event

It took that kind of witness to affect Saul, a hardhearted Pharisee who later called himself the chief of sinners. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief (I Timothy 1:15). Saul hated Christ with a vengeance and was cruel to His followers. But on his way to Damascus, he was knocked down into the dust by the power of this same Jesus; and he heard His voice for the first time, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord (Acts 9:4,5)?

Saul had received his first real introduction to Christ. And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus (Acts 9:5-8). I am Jesus—those words transformed Saul’s life so completely that the Lord later changed his name to Paul.

The power of God shined so brightly around Saul that day that it blinded him, and those with him had to lead him into the city. Later, the Lord directed Ananias to the house where Saul was staying; and he said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized (Acts 9:17,18). Saul not only received his sight, but he was also baptized in the Holy Ghost. Immediately, he became a witness for the Lord; and the change happened so quickly that at first the saints of God were afraid of him. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:26,27).

Even Ananias had been afraid when God told him to go and pray for Saul to receive his sight. Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:13-15). The Lord said Paul was a chosen vessel, chosen to be a witness; and we are chosen to be witnesses for the Lord in this hour, too. What a wonderful calling!

God Wants to Use You

Paul’s life has been such a blessing to me! The Lord has used him so much to bring me to where I am in Him today. Paul had been wicked and cruel, yet God raised him up to be a mighty force for Him; so never say you can’t be what the Lord wants you to be. With Him, you can be a mighty witness. The Lord has much in store for you, and He wants to use you in a mighty way in this final hour. All you have to do is follow the Lord and live in His divine will.

The lame man whom Jesus healed had never been to a theological school, but there he stood as a mighty witness; and no one could deny his miracle. The Lord can take what man calls weak and make it strong. With the Lord, all things are possible if we’ll only believe!

When Jairus was told that his daughter had died, Jesus said, Be not afraid, only believe (Mark 5:36). Then He told Jairus to follow Him. And he [Jesus] cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment (Mark 5:38-42).

Once again, the Lord called death sleep. Who would have ever dreamed that a little maiden would become such a mighty witness? The house was filled with doubters when Jesus arrived; and when He said she was asleep, they laughed Him to scorn. But He drove them all out of the house and then raised her out of death’s sleep just as easily as you would wake a sleeping child. There she stood—a living witness! Those scoffers couldn’t ignore that witness.

A Resurrected Witness

The Lord resurrected Lazarus after he’d been dead for four days, and he became such an amazing witness that the chief priests tried to kill him. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus (John 12:10,11). The priests wanted to get rid of Lazarus because he was a witness to the power of Jesus, and many people knew what had happened to him. Jesus had told Lazarus’ sisters that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God (John 11:40). And they did see God’s glory.

People could say that they didn’t believe in Jesus or His power and deny that He was the Son of God, but there stood Lazarus. He was the one who had died and been buried, yet he was very much alive; he talked, laughed and ate just as he had always done. Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead (John 12:1,2,9). People came from all over to see Jesus and Lazarus, the one who had been raised from the dead. He had never imagined he would be made such a mighty witness.

Jesus met a woman one time who had crippling arthritis and couldn’t straighten herself up for eighteen years; and He said, Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day (Luke 13:16)? Jesus called it devil bondage, and He set her free. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God (Luke 13:13). Jesus came to set the captives free. What a miraculous witness this woman was after being bound for so long.

Modern-Day Witnesses

The Lord is making great and mighty witnesses in this final hour. Scoffers and unbelievers won’t be able to deny these witnesses, and the Lord is raising them up all over the world through this Jesus ministry. Unbelievable things are taking place through the power of God, and the Lord is making witnesses to stand in many nations. The Bible says, Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (III John 1:2). This scripture proves that it’s the will of the Lord for us to have good health and for our souls to prosper. The Lord said, Thy faith hath made thee whole (Matthew 9:22). He also said, According to your faith be it unto you (Matthew 9:29). I repeat: Miracles make witnesses.

One Friday night, a woman who was blind in one eye came to my service for prayer. The doctor had said she would never see out of it, but the Lord said, I am the LORD that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26). I watched in the vision while the power of God went into that eye and re-created it, and the woman had her sight.

One of my church members had cataracts in both eyes and was losing her sight. She came for prayer and then went back and sat down in the front row. Later, she said, “As I was sitting there, the cataract fell off of one eye; and then a little later, the cataract fell off of the other eye.” She had 20/20 vision, and she was astounded! She came back the next Friday night to give her testimony. What a witness!

These are actual miracles; this is real! I make no room for doubt; and I give the Lord all the praise, the honor and the glory. I’m not a healer; I’m a believer, and the Lord said, These signs shall follow them that believe…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:17,18). When I lay hands on a person, I make sure I’m ready to give them all the faith that the Lord will allow me to give them. Then when they also use all their faith, the miracle happens. God can do anything, so let Him make you a witness today. Let the Lord make you whole! It’s never entered your mind completely all that God can do for you if you’ll just turn yourself over to Him.

If you need a miracle, believe that all things are possible; and you can even be healed of any incurable disease. I prayed for one woman who was healed of diabetes. When she went back to the doctor, he said, “I can’t find any diabetes right now, but it has to come back. No one has ever been cured of diabetes.” She was a great witness! The doctor told her there was no sign of diabetes, but the fact that he also told her it would come back showed he didn’t have much faith in God. However, it didn’t come back; and after six years, the doctor finally admitted she was healed.

Nothing Is Too Hard for God

I prayed for a woman who had a large cancerous growth in her cheek. As she walked off the platform, it just fell out; and she rushed back to show me. Her cheek wasn’t even raw inside; it was just pink around the place where the cancer had been. This is the work of God; man can’t do these things.

When you’re man’s impossibility, you’re God’s possibility. In spite of all the medical studies that have been done and of all the men and women who have dedicated their lives trying to find ways to help people, no one has ever learned all about the body; it’s still a mystery. Billions of dollars have been spent trying to find cures for different diseases, but it hasn’t been successful. However, God has given me the cure. I put everything under the blood, and it destroys diseases. The Bible says that Jesus became our sin-bearer and our sickness-bearer: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases (Psalm 103:3). He’s ready to heal you, but are you ready to receive? Decide you’ll never be the same and get your miracle.

Another faithful member of my church was in a terrible car accident that crushed the main bone in his leg. Doctors said it would never grow back together the way it should; but after I prayed, the doctor watched that bone grow until it was normal. The doctor knew that it had to be God, and the hospital verified that miracle. He has been a great witness ever since.

God can make witnesses anywhere; deformed people have been healed just sitting in one of my miracle services. Years ago, a woman came who had caught her hand in a machine, and it was left crippled. As she sat in the service, she watched her hand being made whole. She said, “I watched my fingers straighten out until you couldn’t even tell the hand had been deformed. It was so unbelievable that I thought my hands had changed wrists.” She later gave a beautiful testimony, and she has been one mighty witness down through the years.

Faith Is All You Need

People make healing a hard thing, but it isn’t hard. There’s nothing too hard for the Lord, so just look to Him and put your trust in Him. After Jesus started His ministry, he was always healing someone, on His way to heal someone or coming back from healing someone; and He’s still healing people today! It’s all done according to your faith.

Faith is a gift from God given to everyone. God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3), and you can have all the faith you need. Jesus said, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20). Through divine faith you can move any mountain of sickness, disease, despair, oppression or depression. It’s been said that the mustard seed is the smallest seed in the world, so that means it just takes a speck of divine faith to move a mountain; and Jesus brought that faith.

The Bible says, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). When you come to God, He only works with faith, not doubt. Doubt is like poison, and you’re taking a dose of poison when you take a dose of doubt. Doubt comes from the devil, but faith comes from God; and the Bible declares that faith in God heals the sick. The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up (James 5:15).

Only Believe

When I was young, I had a bone disease that most likely would have taken my leg; but my mom stood over me in prayer day and night. I was in such pain that it felt like a hungry animal was gnawing on the bone of my leg, and no medicine would help. My only hope was God’s divine healing power and the presence of His love and grace, but my mom had Bible faith. She pumped that faith into me through the Spirit of God until it dried my tears, and I would fall asleep. She never went to bed as long as I was in pain. She’d lay the Bible on me saying, “Honey, the Lord is going to heal you.” Those long, painful nights were horrible, but Mom’s faith never wavered; and thank God I did receive complete deliverance.

Nobody appreciates the healing power and the love of God like Ernest Angley. The Lord gave me great compassion for others; and because Mama had delivered such faith to me, I had no trouble believing for other people to be healed. When she prayed for people, I knew even before I was saved that God would heal them. As a sinner, when my younger sisters and brother would get sick, I would tell them that everything would be all right. Mama had prayed, and I believed with my whole heart that God would answer.

I make no room for doubt; and when I pray, I pray knowing that God always hears me. Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always (John 11:41,42). You must pray the same way because God said His ears are open to the cry of the righteous. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry (Psalm 34:15). He also said, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7). I believe that 100 percent with no doubt!

A Re-created Heart

A pastor from another faith came to my service one evening for prayer and received a fabulous heart miracle. Doctors had taken out half of his heart, but God totally re-created it. He had no more pain, and he knew he had his miracle; so he went back for a checkup. His x-rays came back normal, and the doctors couldn’t understand what had happened. He was a bold witness, and he didn’t care who heard him as he told them that he had received a miracle.

The head of the hospital staff wouldn’t believe it, so he brought in fifteen other doctors to check him; but they still couldn’t find anything wrong. Finally, the pastor asked the doctor, “Have you ever heard of Ernest Angley?” When the doctor answered that he had, the pastor continued on to tell him that he had received prayer and that God had re-created his heart. But the doctor responded, “We don’t believe that kind of thing here.” The pastor calmly looked up and said, “No, and God doesn’t believe in you guys either.”

That was a good answer and one that the doctor didn’t expect, but he needed it. Just as it was with the lame man in Jesus’ day, the miracle couldn’t be denied because there stood that man. These miracles are real!

Blind Bartimaeus

God needs witnesses to His miracle power today just as He needed them in Bible times, but we must recognize our need for God’s help and not doubt when the miracle comes. Bartimaeus was this kind of witness, but there’s much more to his story than most people are aware of. And they came to Jericho: and as he [Jesus] went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way (Mark 10:46-52).

The Lord was thrilled to meet Bartimaeus because he was a man who believed everything he had heard about Jesus. The Bible says Jesus knew all men (John 2:24), meaning He could look right in on the heart; and Jesus found no doubt in Bartimaeus. He found only an obedient heart crying out for help. Bartimaeus had never seen Jesus; but when he heard He was coming his way, his faith went heaven high.

When you cry out to the Lord with the same humility that Jesus had when He cried out to the Father, you will be heard. Your voice will ring loud and clear in God’s ears as He sits on His almighty throne. Bartimaeus cried out to the Lord with all of his heart, and Jesus was filled with the same compassion that took Him to Calvary for you and me. Bartimaeus’ cry was one for light from above, and Jesus knew that He was that light. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).

A Face of Love

Bartimaeus believed Jesus was the light of the world, and that light lit him up both inside and out. Suddenly, his eyes were miraculously re-created. It was worth every effort to Jesus when He saw that beautiful smile as Bartimaeus looked around. I like to imagine that the first place Bartimaeus looked was right into the face of Jesus. I’ve had the privilege of seeing Jesus many times, but it’s never enough. I’m always so drawn to His face. He has eyes of such peace and yearning that I just want to look at Him and hold to Him forever.

I would like to have asked Bartimaeus, “What are you seeing?” I can just hear him saying, “I see the face of God!” Do you remember when Jesus came into your heart, and your eyes were opened so you could see the face of God? When Christ was born, the shepherds looked into the manger and saw the face of the Lord looking back at them with heavenly eyes. And we can see the face of God today through His divine love, compassion and grace.

Bartimaeus looked into the face of God saying, “I see love like I’ve never seen before, God’s compelling love. I see His Son’s love that forgives all sins; and I see unbelievable, divine hope. I feel divine grace surging all through my body; and I hear the voice of Jesus saying to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (II Corinthians 12:9).”

Bartimaeus was made a witness in so many ways. There was such a bond of love, power and understanding between Jesus and this man who had received his sight. Bartimaeus drank in the great sight of those unbelievable working hands, and he looked at the fingers that had touched his eyes and given them sight.

What Do You See?

Those beautiful hands were marred for you and me on Calvary. The only scars in Heaven will be the nail-prints in Jesus’ hands and feet and the gash where the Roman soldier thrust the spear into His side. Jesus will carry those marks for eternity. He’s at the right hand of the Father today, and I’m sure Bartimaeus is up there close by the throne. He’s been up there with the Lord for almost 2000 years, and I can just imagine how he has enjoyed seeing Heaven.

But Bartimaeus saw Heaven before he ever arrived there; he saw it in Jesus. Although Jesus had taken on the fashion of a man, Bartimaeus saw only divinity in Him. As a result of being blind, Bartimaeus was sensitive to every touch; and he could tell so much about a person just by listening to their voice. When he heard the voice of Jesus, he could suddenly see through divine faith that looks beyond all of our tomorrows. When he looked upon Jesus, he knew He was the divine blood-Word that had come down from Heaven. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever (John 6:58).

I’m persuaded that Bartimaeus had a godly mom and possibly a godly dad, too—parents who had taught him about the Lord. They may have taken him to meet Jesus many times, but there were always so many people. Everyone wanted to get to Jesus; and since they were such humble people, they stayed back and let others get what they needed first. But they kept promising Bartimaeus that his miracle day would come, and I’m sure his parents had never lied to him. He may have heard Jesus say, “Only believe, and you’ll see the glory!” And the blind boy never doubted that voice.

Bartimaeus had never been able to see, and he probably dreamed of seeing the sunshine one day; but the light of God that he saw upon Jesus was greater than that of many suns. He had received a divine touch, and he had beheld the glory that made him a believer for all eternity.

Witnesses Share the Gospel

Only the Lord could have revealed all of this about blind Bartimaeus to me. He let me feel in my spirit how Bartimaeus felt, what he thought about Jesus and how grateful he was. Not only was Jesus a blessing to Bartimaeus, but Bartimaeus was also a blessing to Jesus. I’m sure Bartimaeus never turned his back on Jesus. I can see him in the Upper Room with the 120 being baptized in the Holy Ghost. I can hear him preaching to the people that Jesus of Nazareth had ascended back to Heaven and would soon come again.

Bartimaeus was such an amazing witness that it’s hard to tell how many souls he won for the Lord. His message was, “I was born blind; and Jesus, the true Messiah, gave me perfect sight.” What a testimony! What a witness! Bartimaeus had such faith that as he touched people, the power of his divine faith went into them; and they were healed, too. He had learned how to use the name of Jesus.

Imagine what it must have been like to see and receive joy for the first time. Bartimaeus may have felt it at times, but he’d never seen it. Now, he saw joy on the faces of Jesus’ followers, and it was more beautiful to him than sunshine or all the flowers on Earth. Then Bartimaeus looked upon Jesus; and he knew Jesus was the Lily in his valley, the Rose of Sharon and the Bright and Morning Star. I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys (Song of Solomon 2:1). I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16).

A Revelation from God

After receiving such a revelation from the Lord on Bartimaeus, I want to meet this beautiful witness one day. He was so full of faith, grace and love; and I’m sure that Jesus Himself will tell you that He never forgot Bartimaeus’ expression when he looked into His face, the face of the Son of God.

Bartimaeus probably followed Jesus wherever He went as often as he could, and I’m sure he was a devout disciple who carried the joy of the Lord in him. Again I say, he must have won many souls for the Lord. Did he serve love? I assure you that he did. Did he turn many people to righteousness?—Yes, indeed!

It always amazes me when God takes my mind over and gives me His thoughts, and He does the same thing with my eyes. He takes them over, and all I know is that I can see as God sees. He enables me to look into the souls of people where I see either light or darkness. I can see any demons that may be there, and they’re awful to look at. The Lord lets me know where people are with the Lord by using the Cross. If a person is walking in love in perfection and pleasing God in all things, their life lights up the whole Cross; and it’s beautiful! But when I see only a part of the Cross lit up, then I know there’s trouble. These people are robbing not only themselves, but also God and others; and they’re tying God’s hands. What does your cross look like?

Become a Witness

Oh, Sinner, if you don’t have Jesus, let Him come into your heart today. I’m a witness to what He can do. He saved me, and He healed me when I was on the verge of death at just twenty-three years of age. He came and made me whole all over and raised me up to be a witness for Him; and after all these years, I’m still His witness. Sinner, Jesus wants to forgive you of all your sins just like He forgave me, and He wants to make a witness out of you.

Say the sinners’ prayer today: Oh, God, save my soul! I’m so sorry that I sinned against you. I confess my faith in Jesus Christ. I believe He died for me, and I believe there’s power in His shed blood to wash away all of my sins. Come into my heart, Jesus! Come in! If you meant that prayer, now you can say, “Hallelujah, Jesus has come into my heart! He is my Lord and my Savior, and I will serve Him the rest of my life.”

Receive the Healing Witness

You who are sick and afflicted, it doesn’t matter whether you have HIV, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, heart trouble, lung trouble, leprosy or paralysis; the Lord heals everything because He is Lord God Almighty. Lord, I bring the people to you, and some of them are dying with AIDS. You’ve healed thousands with AIDS through this Jesus ministry, and you will heal these people today. Lord, you will also heal those with other deadly diseases. Heal! in the blood-name. Heal! in the precious, powerful, divine blood-name of Jesus.

With His blood stripes we are healed! Believe it; get well, and give God all the glory. He wants you to be a good witness for Him!

Thus Saith the Lord

I am here to anoint you and give you the great reality that my Son gave blind Bartimaeus. I gave my servant this message; he didn’t think it up. I gave it to my servant to give to you. Think upon what he told you because he gave you my thoughts.

There are many blind Bartimaeuses you will meet out in the world. I will put them on your paths and on your roads, and you will meet them everywhere you go. I have called you for this purpose, and there are many waiting who want deliverance. Many of them are listening to the voice of my servant, and he’s giving them hope. They believe that if my servant can get to them, they will receive their sight; and they believe they will be healed of any death disease and receive Heaven’s passport.

You’re mine, and I’m here to anoint you with a special anointing so you can go forth to meet many like blind Bartimaeus who are in darkness. They’re involved in Satanism, witchcraft and voodooism; and you will have the power to rescue them through my great anointings.

Open your heart’s door now and accept this great anointing, and you will never be the same. Always look for those like blind Bartimaeus; untold multitudes of them are everywhere, and they’re waiting for you. They’re waiting for that divine Jesus touch, and I will anoint you with that divine touch, saith the Lord. I will anoint you to set the captives free. I will anoint you just as I anointed Bartimaeus; and he went forth to set many free, saith the Lord.