Importance of witnessing

Witnessing is sharing the truth of God

Ps 145:10–12; Lk 24:46–48

See also 1 Ch 16:7–9; Ps 71:15; Mt 27:54; Jn 1:35–36; Jn 4:29

Believers are commanded to witness

Matthew 28:18–19 LSB

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

See also Is 12:4–5; Mt 24:14; Ac 1:8; Ac 9:15–16

Special ministries of witnessing

By the prophets

John 1:6–8 LSB

There was a man having been sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to bear witness about the Light.

See also Je 1:4–9; Eze 33:7–9; Jon 1:2; Jon 1:9; Jn 1:15; Jn 1:29; Jn 1:36; Ac 10:43

By Jesus Christ

John 18:37 LSB

Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You yourself said I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

See also Jn 3:31–34; Re 1:5; Re 3:14

By the apostles

Acts 4:33 LSB

And with great power the apostles were bearing witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

See also Ac 2:32; Ac 10:39–42; Ac 13:30–31; 1 Jn 1:1–3

By Christian leaders

2 Ti 1:8 Paul, in prison for his faith, encourages the young leader, Timothy.

See also Ac 8:5; Eph 4:11

Witnessing is a task for all God’s people

1 Peter 2:9 LSB

But you are A CHOSEN FAMILY, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

See also Ps 26:6–7; Ps 107:1–2

All of the people of Israel are called to be God’s witnesses:

Is 43:10; Is 43:12; Is 44:8

Is 52:7; Ac 8:4

Witnessing is a major aspect of Christian living

Romans 10:9–10 LSB

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, leading to righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, leading to salvation.

See also Mt 10:32–33; 2 Co 4:13; 1 Jn 2:23; 1 Jn 4:15

Examples of witnessing to Jesus Christ

Mt 16:16 Simon Peter; Lk 2:16–17 shepherds; Jn 1:40–42 Andrew; Jn 1:49 Nathanael; Jn 11:27 Martha; Jn 20:28 Thomas; Ac 8:37 the Ethiopian eunuch

Witnessing recounts personal experience

Isaiah 63:7 LSB

I shall bring to remembrance the lovingkindnesses of Yahweh, the praises of Yahweh, According to all the ways that Yahweh has dealt bountifully with us, And the abundant goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has dealt bountifully to them according to His compassion And according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses.

See also Ps 66:16; Je 51:10; Da 4:2; Mt 9:27–31; Mk 1:40–45; Jn 9:25; Ac 4:20

Witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Acts 2:32 LSB

“This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.

See also Lk 24:33–35; Ac 5:30–32; 1 Co 15:3–7