Importance of witnessing

Witnessing is sharing the truth of God

Ps 145:10–12; Lk 24:46–48

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

Believers are commanded to witness

Matthew 28:18–19 ESV

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

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

Special ministries of witnessing

By the prophets

John 1:6–8 ESV

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

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

By Jesus Christ

John 18:37 ESV

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

See also Re 1:5; Re 3:14; Jn 3:31–34

By the apostles

Acts 4:33 ESV

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

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

By Christian leaders

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

See also Eph 4:11; Ac 8:5

Witnessing is a task for all God’s people

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who 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 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

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

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 ESV

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

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

Witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Acts 2:32 ESV

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

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