Dr. Annamma Abraham
Witnessing
Witnessing
Witnessing
is bearing testimony to something. In a courtroom, a witness isn’t expected to
argue the case, prove the truth or press for verdict. That is the job of
attorneys. Witness simply report what happened to them or what they saw.
Jesus
said (Acts 1:8) “But you shall
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My
witness both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest
part of the earth.
John
the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, came for a witness,
that he might bear witness of the light (Jesus), that all might believe through
him. He was not light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. (John 1:7,8) John 10:41 And many
came to Him and were saying, “while John performed no sign, yet everything John
said about this man was true.”
He
said of Jesus (John 1:29) “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin
of the world!”
Our
aim as followers of Christ is to do the same-“to bear witness of the light.
With our quiet deeds and words, let us point to the light. Christians are
ordinary people who are committed to extraordinary person of Christ.
Luke 19: 10
The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Those who have been found should seek
the lost.
John’s
witness concerning the Word of Life (Jesus
Christ)
John
was Jesus’ most intimate earthly friend. For three years John accompanied Jesus
in His journeys. To John, Jesus was a real person, the embodiment of life, eternal
life.
John
wrote the epistle, 1 John that others might share his feelings of fellowship,
companionship and joy, in Christ and in the Father and with one another.
1
John 1:1-4
1.
What was from the
beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld
and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life-
2.
And the life was
manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal
life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.
3.
What we have seen and
heard we proclaim to you also that you may have fellowship with us and indeed
our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4.
And these things we
write, so that our joy may be made complete.
The
Samaritan woman’s witnessing.
John
4: 39 And from that
city many of the Samaritans believed in
Him because of the word of the woman who
testified, “He told me all things that I have done.”
When
she told others of her encounter with a man who knew
“All that I ever did”, she was already practicing
the principle of sowing and reaping. When we tell our encounter with Jesus, we
bless them with living water. Actually your personal testimony is more
effective than a sermon. Sharing your testimony is an essential part of your Christian
life. Your testimony is unique. There is no other story like yours. If you
don’t share it, it will be lost for ever. Personal stories are easier to relate
to and people love to hear them. Many people who won’t accept the authority of
the Bible will listen to a humble, personal story.
The
best way to witness Christ is
Tell what my life was like, before I met
Jesus.
How I realised I needed Jesus.
How I committed my life to Jesus.
The difference Jesus has made in my
life.
It
is wise to learn from experience, it is wiser to learn from the experiences of
others. There isn’t enough time to learn everything in life by trial and error.
We must learn from life lessons of one another. We should be grateful that
Solomon wrote down the major life lessons and gave us the books of Proverbs and
Ecclesiastes, which are filled with practical lessons on living. They are
Solomon’s witnessing.
Paul said to Corinthians “We are
ambassadors for Christ” .
(2 Corinthians 5:20)
As such we have a responsibility to walk
properly toward those who are outside the faith.
1
Thessalonians 4: 11-12.
11.
To make it your ambition to lead a quiet
life and attend to your own business and work with your hands just as we
command you.
12.
So that you may behave properly toward
outsiders and not be in any need.
As
followers of Christ, we have to witness God wherever we are and in whatever we
do, on the job, in the neighbourhood, on the sports team, or on the high way,
we are His representatives. Lord help us to witness you faithfully in every
area of our lives. Christ sends us out to bring others in.
Jesus
expects us to stand out in the world by letting our “light to shine before men,
that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew
5: 16). One way we live that out is
by obeying His command to love our enemies
Matthew
5: 44-45.
44.
But I say to you, love your enemies, and
pray for those who persecute you,
45.
in order that you may be sons of your
Father who is in heaven, He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and
sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
The
warmth of love can melt the heart of an enemy. Those who believe in the son of
God have the testimony of God in them.
1
John 5: 10-12. 10
The one who believes in the Son of God
has witness in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar,
because he has not believed in the witness that God has borne concerning His
Son.
11.
And the witness is this that God has
given us eternal life and this life is in His Son.
12.
He who has the Son has life and he who
does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
Your
lives are echoing the Masters Word.
1Thessalonians 1: 8 for the word of the
Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in
every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to
say anything, any more, you are the message.
You
may feel that you don’t have anything to witness, but that is the
devil trying to keep you silent. You have a store house of experiences that God
wants you to use to bring others into his family. Those who believe in the Son
of God have the testimony of God in them.
The story of how you began a
relationship with Jesus.
The most important lessons God has
taught you.
The issues God shaped you to care about
most.
The Good News- The message of Salvation.
Your testimony is the story of how
Christ has made a difference in your life. We are chosen by God to do His work
and speak out for Him, to tell others of the changes he made for you. This is
the essence of witnessing.
You have many other testimonies
besides your salvation story.
Your
life message includes the good news. What is the good news? The good news is
how God makes people right with himself- it begins and ends with faith. God was
in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sin
against them. This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others.
If
a believers verbal testimony is rejected it may be wise for him to say no more.
Philippians
1: 27 Let your conduct be worthy of the
gospel of Christ
In
case of a married couple, the wife’s quiet reverence for God should be crystal-
clear to her unbelieving husband so that he may be won without a word.
1Peter
3: 1-2
1.
In the same way, you wives, be
submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to
the word, they may be won without a word by the behaviour of the wives.
2. As they observe
your chaste and respectful behaviour.
Here husbands are reminded by Peter to
live with their wives with
understanding and honour. If the wife is the one who needs a wordless
witness, then the husband’s character and treatment of her should reflect his
relationship to Christ.
These
truths apply to every believer married or not. If we are in a situation where
our actions alone have to do the talking, let us make sure they are coming
through, loud and clear for Christ. When our lives honour Christ, even silence
is eloquent.
God made us to be a member of His
family, a model of His character, a magnifier of His glory, a minister of His
grace, and a messenger of His good news to others. It is the life behind our
words that makes our witness ring true. As faithful followers of Jesus, we are
to let His light shine brightly through us.
Works
that Witness. When you do your work
faithfully, your faith will be seen at work.
Daniel
6: 4
Then the commissioners and the satraps
began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to
government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of
corruption, in as much as he was faithful and no negligence or corruption was
to be found in him.
What a testimony! He was loyal and
conscientious on the job, all the while giving God the first place. Are we so
faithful in our work that our fellow employees could find no charge or fault in
us? It is commendable to witness for Christ that would silence the critics and
glorify God.
Like
Daniel, our behaviour should be blameless. Then we too will have works that
witness. When you do your work faithfully, your faith will be seen at works.
Let
us diligently study God’s truth so that we will increasingly become
the aroma of life to those who believe in Christ, but a warning of
death to those who reject Him. It is God’s way of making our witness effective.
If we are like Christ, some will not like us.
2
Corinthians 2:16 to the one we are the aroma of
death, leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.
Bloom
where you are planted
2 Corinthians
2: 14-16
14.
But thanks be to God, who always leads
us in His triumph in Christ, and manifest through us the sweet aroma of the
knowledge of Him in every place.
15.
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God
among those are being saved and among those who are perishing.
16.
to the one an aroma from death to death,
to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for this.
Every
believer should be known for wearing the particular fragrance of Christ. This
mysterious fragrance rises always only out of our intimate relationship with
Christ and wafts a subtle yet noticeable influence toward others. Our
Fragrance, our entire sufficiency, is from Christ alone, not from ourselves.
When you are walking with Christ, others will sense that He is with you.
One
believer who lived in a town, he knew everyone in the town, called them by name
and knew what was happening in their lives. He would stop and ask about a sick
child or an ailing marriage, and then he would offer a word of encouragement
and prayer. He didn’t force his faith on anyone, but its influence lingered
wherever he had been. He had about him the fragrance of Christ.
We
can have the same fragrance wherever we go, as we quietly manifest Jesus’ love.
Even if no one acknowledges our efforts, God sees and knows. So don’t be
discouraged. Never give up. Bloom where you are planted. What you do has
eternal significance in God’s eyes. You are never in the wrong place to serve
God.
Philippians
2: 15 You shine as lights in the world.
Followers of Jesus Christ are like shining stars. Jesus is the light of the
world.
John
8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am
the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but
shall have the light of life.”
We
too are to shine as lights in the world by being blameless and harmless children
of God without fault. That is how we stand out in the dark, sinful world around
us.
Matthew
5: 13-14
13.
Jesus said “you are the salt of the
earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again?
It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot
by men.
14.
You are the light of the world. A city
set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Jesus
said we are the salt and light of the earth. Salt as a seasoning, is useless
unless it is in contact with food and mixed into it. Jesus calls us to flavour
the society in His name through close involvement with people. Light is meant
to be visible. Secret believers need to come out of hiding and be known as
disciples. Their profession of faith must become self-evident through their
good works .Our testimony as salt and light will season the society and light
up our world for Christ. God always maintained His presence on earth so that
people could find Him. His first light for the world was the nation of Israel.
Isaiah
42:6 I am the Lord, I have called you in
righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, and I will
appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations.
The
light of the Jewish nations culminated in Jesus, “the light of the world”
John
9: 5 Jesus said “while I am in the world, I
am the light of the world”.
Followers
of Jesus are to be the light of the world (Mathew
5: 14 you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be
hidden) .As such it is our responsibility to show people the way to be
reconciled to God. To lead others out of darkness of sin, let them see your
light.
2
Corinthians 5:8 Now all these things are from God,
who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation.
We
can look to Jesus as our model of humility. Although he had every right to hold
on to His high position in heaven with God, He made Himself of no reputation.
Philippians
2:5-9.
5.
Have this attitude in yourselves which
was also in Christ Jesus
6.
Who, although He existed in the form of
God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.
7.
but emptied Himself, taking the form of
a bond-servant, and made in the likeness of men.
8.
And
being found in the appearance as man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death, even death on the cross.
9.
Therefore also God highly exalted Him,
and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.
What a lowly position for the creator of
heaven and earth. Jesus is our
example of genuine servant hood, yet He
is the brightest star of the universe. As we become like Him, we will be bright
and shining stars, and people will be drawn to Christ through our humble
service.
Our
lives should reflect Jesus that we should leave a mark on our neighborhoods,
and the memory of our godliness should linger on. The most powerful witness
is a godly life.
1
Samuel 9:6 Look now there is in this city a
man of God, and he is an honorable man.
Saul’s
father sent his son and a servant to look for some donkeys that had wandered
away. The young men searched for many days but couldn’t find the animals. Saul
was ready to give up and go home, but his servant pointed Ramah, the Prophet
Samuel’s village, and replied, “Look now, there is in this city a man of God,
and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely come to pass. So let us go
there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go”
Throughout
his years and into old age Samuel had sought friendship and fellowship with
God, and his words were weighty with truth. People knew him to be a prophet of
the Lord. So Saul and the servant went to the city where the man of God was.
To
show others what Christ will do for them, show them what Christ has done for
you.
Peter
told the believers that they should always be ready to give a reason for
their hope in Christ.
1
peter 3:15 Always be ready to give a defense
to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, yet with
gentleness and reverence.
In
the book of Acts we read about the spirit empowered witness of Stephen and
Paul. Apostle Paul was called to plead the Lord’s cause. The word translated
“defense” was used in ancient world for an attorney pleading his case in a
court of law. All believers are called to share the wonderful news of saving
grace of God. The good news of Christ is too good to keep to yourself.
Acts
6:9-10
9.
But some men from what was called the Synagouge of the Freedmen, including both
Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cicilia and Asia, rose up and argued
with Stephen.
10.
And yet they were unable to cope with
the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking.
Acts
24: 24-25
24.
But some days later, Felix arrived with
Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak
about faith in Christ Jesus.
25.
And as he was discussing righteousness,
self-control, and the judgement to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go
away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you”.
Acts
26: 24-28
24.
And while Paul was saying this in his
defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul you are out of your mind! Your
great learning is driving you mad”.
25.
But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but utter words
of sober truth.
26.
For the king knows about these matters,
and I speak to him also with confidence; since I am persuaded that none of
these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.
27.
“King Agrippa, do you believe the
prophets? I know that you do”.
28.
And Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short
time you will persuade me to become a Christian”.
What
we say must be linked to a commitment to Jesus as Lord, and we must have a
humble attitude, a clear conscience and good conduct. As we rely on God, He can
make people perspective to a discussion of why it makes sense to believe in
Christ. A good life and good reasons make for a powerful witness. The strongest
witness convinces the mind and convicts the heart.
A
good teacher has to be a good testimony to the students.
Jensen
a Bible teacher was well known for his course on Bible study methods. He
believed deeply in what he taught and was a very effective and influential
teacher. He loved his students and taught them to love the Word of God by the
way he lived and what he taught. He lived out the words of Titus 2:7-8.
7.
In all things show yourself to be an
example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
8.
Sound in speech which is beyond
reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to
say about us.
Our
words and our way of living should exemplify the message of Christ. A good
teacher not only knows the way but shows the way and he is a good testimony to
his students.
Practice
what you preach.
Romans
2: 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do
you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal?
Mohandas
Gandhi super headed India’s struggle for freedom from British rule. Earlier in
his life, Gandhi had considered the possibility of becoming a follower of
Jesus. Attracted by His life and teachings, Gandhi attended the services of a
church in Pretoria, South Africa. He later wrote “The congregation did not
strike me as being particularly religious; they were not an assembly of devout
souls, but appeared rather to be worldly-minded people going to church for
recreation and in conformity to custom”. Christianity he concluded could not
add anything of value to Hinduism. So he turned away from Jesus, to his own
loss, and to the loss of the many that followed after him.
Do we live out the Christianity we
profess? Would a stranger who is sincerely seeking a relationship with God be
attracted or turned off by the quality of our worship and personal devotion to
Christ? What we practice is the best illustration of what we preach.
Taking
risks
Barnabas
and Paul have risked their lives for the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ. (Acts 15: 25-26).
25.
It seemed good to us having become of
one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26. men who have risked their lives for
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Their
goal was to exalt Christ through the preaching of the gospel. Paul faced hazards
that resulted in shipwrecks, beatings, persecution, imprisonment, stoned, on
frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from
his countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the
wilderness, dangers in the sea, dangers among the false brethren, in labour, hardship,
through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in
cold and exposure. Apart from that, there was the daily pressure upon them, of
concern for all the churches. (2
Corinthians 11: 22-30)
But
Paul was more than willing to take these risks to make Christ known. Many
believers take risks to spread Jesus’ good news. But fear of rejection causes
others to remain silent. But God has provided His Spirit to empower you and His
Word to make the message clear.
Acts
1: 8 “But you shall receive power when Holy Spirit
has come upon you; and you shall be My witness both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Romans
1: 16 for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for
it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first
and also to the Greek.
The
rewards of witnessing are well worth the risks. The gospel of Jesus Christ
spreads from one person to another. After Stephen a leader in the early church,
was stoned for his faith. The followers of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem were
persecuted and forced to leave their homes.
Acts
8: 1-2
1.
Saul was in hearty agreement with
putting Stephen to death and on that day a grate persecution arose against the
church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea
and Samaria, except the apostles.
2.
And some devout men buried Stephen and
made loud lamentation over him.
Instead
of fearfully holding back, these Christians told the people about Jesus
wherever they went.
Acts
8:4 those who had been scattered went about
preaching the word.
Stephen
took a serious risk, but it was for proclaiming the good news about Jesus. He
said that throughout Israel’s history, the nation had repeatedly rejected God’s
messengers. And now they have rejected the Messiah. Stephen’s Sermon provoked a
strong reaction.
Acts
7: 57-58 57. They
cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and they rushed upon him
with one impulse.
58.
And they had driven him out of the city,
and stoned him.
Why
would Stephen risk his life to preach about Jesus? He desperately wanted his
hearers to know that, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection they no longer
needed to live under the law but could live under forgiveness and grace. Jesus
died so that we may have eternal life. When we truly know Christ we cannot keep
the good news to ourselves. Even in the most challenging circumstances, we want
to keep on telling others about our Savior and Lord.
Philippians
1:12 Now
I want you to know brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually
turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.
The
son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus mission
was simple, seek and save. (Luke 19:10).
Diligently search for the lost people, whatever their social standing, and
offer them God’s salvation plan. As followers of Christ we too should have that
as our mission. Christ’s mission is our mission. Those who have been found should seek the lost
We
should be sharing the word of God with people in ways they can understand.
Otherwise “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how
shall they hear without a preacher.
(Romans 10: 14)
A
simple heartfelt testimony of our personal faith in Christ can be a powerful
witness. A Christian’s life is a window through which others can see Jesus.
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