Are Testimonies Scriptural?

When We Think of Testimonies in a Non-Religious Context…

You Probably Think of Testifying in a Courtroom as a Witness

The Idea is:

To Give Your Personal Knowledge as it Pertains to the Case Being Heard

But I Know the Questioner Didn’t have this Kind of Testimony in Mind

They were Asking:

Is Giving Your Christian Testimony Scriptural?

That is:

Telling Your Personal Story of Your Conversion and/or Sanctification

Or, How God Saved You and Transformed You

It Usually Consists of:

Retelling the Events that Led You to Faith in Jesus

Retelling the Events that Led You to Repentance

You’ll See this Practice Emphasized in Churches of Other Traditions

But You Don’t Hear it Emphasized or Even Mentioned Churches of Christ

That Alone Doesn’t Make it Right or Wrong

Whether or Not it’s Scriptural Determines if it’s Right or Wrong

First, is There Any Scriptural Condemnation of Giving a Testimony?

Do the Scriptures Condemn Telling Others Your Story of Conversion/Sanctification?

No, Absolutely Not

Do the Scriptures Condone Giving a Testimony?

Absolutely!

We See Numerous Examples of Believers Giving What We would Call “Their Testimony”

Many of the Psalms are Testimonies of What God has Done for the Psalmist

Psalm 66:16 (NASB95)

16 Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.

The Entirety of Daniel Chapter 4 is a Testimony From King Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel 4:1–3 (NASB95)

1 Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language that live in all the earth: “May your peace abound! 2 “It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for me. 3 “How great are His signs And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom And His dominion is from generation to generation.

He Tells the Story of How God Humbled Him

He Ends His Testimony By Saying:

Daniel 4:37 (NASB95)

37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”

When Jesus was Telling His Apostles About Things that would Happen in the Near Future…

We Read:

Luke 21:12–13 (NASB95)

12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13 “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.

The Specific Mission of the Apostles was to Give Their Testimony of Jesus

Their Testimony is More Extreme than Our Own…

Because Their Testimony Consisted of Actually Being with Jesus, Hearing His Teachings, and Being Changed By Him

Acts 4:33 NASB95

33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

The Formerly Blind Man From John 9

(Mark 5:20; John 4:39; Luke 8:38-39;

Matthew 5:14–16 NASB95

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Our Life is to Be a Testimony

People should Witness the Transformed Way We Live and Then Come to Know God Through that Testimony

1 Peter 3:13–16 (NASB95)

13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

Most of Paul’s Preaching and Writings were His Testimony

He Talked Often About How He Came to Faith in Jesus

(Several Times From Acts; 2 Tim. 1:8; Philippians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 11-12; Chief of Sinners Passages)

Giving an Answer for Your Hope will Likely Take the Form of a Testimony

Your Gut Reaction to that Question will Likely Be What Convinced/Touched You About the Gospel

“I was Living a Life of Meaninglessness Before I Learned that Jesus could Give My Life True Purpose”

“My Life was So Full of Sin and Drama and Disappointment Until I Began Following Jesus”

“Everyday I Lived in Fear and Hopelessness Until I Learned About the Gospel of Jesus”

“I’ve Always Lived with Such Terrible Guilt Over the Terrible Decisions I’ve Made in Life, Until I Learned that Jesus can Take that Guilt Away”

“I’d Always Misunderstood God to Be Immoral and Evil Until I Learned that the Moral and Good Jesus is the Exact Representation of Who God is”

Quotes About Testimonies that I Believe are True and Eye-Opening:

“Your story is the key that can unlock someone else’s prison.”

“Only God can turn your mess into a message, your test into a testimony, your trial into a triumph, your misery into a ministry.”

Did Jephthah Sacrifice His Daughter?

In Judges 11:30-31, Jephthah, a judge of Israel, made a foolish vow that if God gave him victory in the upcoming battle, he would sacrifice whatever first came out of his door when he came home. Jephthah was victorious in the battle against the Ammonites (Judges 11:32-33). When Jephthah returned home after the battle, his daughter came to greet him (Judges 11:34). Jephthah was devastated and stated that he had made a vow to the Lord that he could not break (Judges 11:35). Jephthah’s daughter asked for a two month “reprieve,” and Jephthah granted her request (Judges 11:36-38). The passage then states that Jephthah “did to her as he had vowed” (Judges 11:39).

The Bible does not explicitly state that Jephthah sacrificed his daughter as a burnt offering. Since his daughter was mourning the fact that she would never marry instead of mourning that she was about to die (Judges 11:36-37) , this possibly indicates that Jephthah gave her to the tabernacle as a servant instead of sacrificing her. However, again, Judges 11:39 does seem to indicate that he did follow through with the sacrifice: "He did to her as he had vowed." Whatever the case, God had specifically forbidden offering human sacrifices, so it was absolutely not God’s desire for Jephthah to sacrifice his daughter (Leviticus 20:1-5). Jeremiah 7:31; 19:5; and 32:35 clearly indicate that the idea of human sacrifice has "never even entered God’s mind." The account of Jephthah and his daughter serves as an example for us to not make foolish vows or oaths. It should also serve as a warning to make sure any vow we make is something that is not in violation of God’s Word.