Witnessing
Isaiah 44:8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. {God; I: Heb. rock, etc} KJV
1. Worry about witnessing is not new, as we can see not only from the verse above, but from many others too. The main point is that we are required of God to bear witness concerning Him. Here lies a problem for many people. Questions arise as to how, when and to whom we should bring the gospel message, and when and how to defend it.
2. Some folks feel that they need to bring the "good news" to everyone at every opportunity. Some of them go so far as to become Bible Bashers" and rather annoying people who end up accomplishing exactly the opposite of what they should have been to the unbeliever.
3. Also, there are many who become obsessed with the idea that they must convert the "infidels" and end up alienating Muslims, Jews and practitioners of Oriental religions when there is absolutely no need to do this. Love, not hate, is the way to salvation in Christ Jesus
Having noted the items above, we can now go on to investigate more, and see how the Bible teaches us that witnessing is a most important requirement of Christianity. But it must also be done in the way that is exemplified for us. To go beyond what Jesus taught us to do (by his words and examples) is to fall short of the perfection we can achieve in this area. You may well be a bit surprised at some of what this lesson teaches, but relax, and you'll see the truth of it.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. KJV
John 6:44 No man is able to come to me if the Father who sent me does not give him the desire to come: and I will take him up from the dead on the last day. BBE (Bible in Basic English)
Is this an astounding passage to you? What does it mean? Could
it be that a thing called predestination is involved? Perhaps it also has
something to do with "free will?" And how exactly does the Father draw someone?
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. KJV
John 6:45 The writings of the prophets say, And they will all have teaching from God. Everyone whose ears have been open to the teaching of the Father comes to me. BBE
Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. KJV
Luke 3:22 The Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove, and a voice came from heaven, saying, You are my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased. BBE
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. KJV
John 5:19 So Jesus made answer and said, Truly I say to you, The Son is not able to do anything himself; he is able to do only what he sees the Father doing; whatever the Father does the Son does it in the same way. BBE
Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. KJV
Luke 12:12 For the Holy Spirit will make clear to you in that very hour what to say. BBE
While living his earthly life as a human man, God the Father provided for our man/God Jesus, a special Baptism that went beyond the baptism for the remission of sins performed by his cousin John the Baptist. For when he went up from the water, the second baptism, that of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) also came upon him. And when this was accomplished, Jesus, the man, had open to him, all the direction and guidance he needed to fulfill his earthly mission of evangelizing for the kingdom which is coming. Review the passages above, and you'll see this most important sequence of events, as put forth by the scriptures. Since not all Christians have, seek, or for that matter, understand about the Baptism of The Holy Spirit, they are not able to witness as effectively as they could.
Sad as it is to have to say, there are those who will never concern themselves about the things of God and salvation. And this understanding must always be present as we strive to work for the evangelization of our peers on earth. And it is in this arena that we must consider that nasty word "Predestination" or "Predestinate."
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. KJV
Romans 8:29 Because those of whom he had knowledge before they came into existence, were marked out by him to be made like his Son, so that he might be the first among a band of brothers: BBE
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. KJV
Romans 8:30 And those who were marked out by him were named; and those who were named were given righteousness; and to those to whom he gave righteousness, in the same way he gave glory. BBE
Here is the Biblical challenge to what we humans have come to understand about "free will," being so important in our lives. Let it be enough here to say simply that so long as we can be influenced by both God and Satan, we are not as free as we would like to claim. But, we can and do choose sides. This is to me, exercising the human "responsibility of choice."
So we end up with three distinct classes (for lack of a better word) of people. Those who will never want the things of God, those who will never fail to seek the things of God, and those who have yet to choose which, direction to follow. This then is the simple summation of how predestination works. And God, being all knowing, knew this in the first place. He knew it already before this earth was created, and set up a system for us, so that we can come to know Him and find salvation, thereby escaping "the Lake of Fire" which is the final destiny for those who choose against God.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We must now go about ths business of seeing the different sorts of people we stand to bear witness to. They may be irreligious, of a different faith, Agnostic (an Atheist in disguise usually) and ignorant of anything religious, but perhaps open to a message. Usually the later are very lonely people who seem to be without family or friends. We must also consider our own ability to handle the scriptures as the verses below show us.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV
2 Timothy 2:15 Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way. BBE
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: KJV
2 Timothy 3:16 Every holy Writing which comes from God is of profit for teaching, for training, for guiding, for education in righteousness BBE
Sad as it is to have to say, but all too many people try to witness, without knowing how to use their Bibles when someone says "Show me," or something similar to that. So remember this, if you are not prepared in this area - either leave it alone or start studying!!! There will be occasions when a passage eludes us. When that happens, it is best to be honest and promise to get back to the person if at all possible, with an appropriate answer, and then make sure we do.
As mentioned before, some people "just don't want to hear it." They could be of any variety mentioned above, including those even claiming some sort of Christianity. At this point, just remember that bashing and arguing won't accomplish anything positive. And arguing with someone like that just takes away from what you could be accomplishing elsewhere.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. KJV
Titus 3:9 But have nothing to do with foolish questionings, and lists of generations, and fights and arguments about the law; for they are of no profit and foolish. BBE
We must also come to grips with the fact the most difficult witnessing we can do is to another family member! Satan hates families. So, he makes us feel awkward and unable to work in this atmosphere. Beware then dear heart, take heed, for we can now complete this lesson with all you need to do an effective job of sharing the gospel with others.
The How To's
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? KJV
Luke 11:13 If, then, you who are evil are able to give good things to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who make request to him? BBE
Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; KJV
Ephesians 4:23 And be made new in the spirit of your mind, BBE
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; {to the end: Gr. perfectly} KJV
1 Peter 1:13 So make your minds ready, and keep on the watch, hoping with all your power for the grace which is to come to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; BBE
God bless you for being so concerned about serving our Lord by your desire to be a worker, yes, a witness before men, so that others can also find the salvation life you enjoy. Remember how priceless a gift it is, and how you also needed to learn and come into an acceptance of Jesus. This is after all, what the person you may be talking to is going through.
Jesus taught as a master teacher. How? Not by some remarkable
set of credentials from some big name school. In fact, at twelve years of
age he blew away the best Biblical scholars around. How could he do this?
He had the power of the Holy Spirit working in him. He was heeding "The
Call" he had from his father in heaven. And this is perhaps the most important
thing I can share with you.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. KJV
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will be your teacher in all things and will put you in mind of everything I have said to you. BBE
Here is the main course friends. Eat this meal and relish in it. For as you accept the idea that someone other than yourself is the best guide for your witnessing activities, you'll grow in grace and the ability to be an ever more effective laborer in Christ's vineyard.
There are times and people, when it is not possible to make an effective effort to gain someone's attention to the gospel. When that happens, leave well enough alone. God, not you, is the one who brings about someone's salvation!!! See below.
Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. KJV
Romans 11:18 Do not be uplifted in pride over the branches: because it is not you who are the support of the root, but it is by the root that you are supported. BBE
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. KJV
John 15:4 Be in me at all times as I am in you. As the branch is not able to give fruit of itself, if it is not still on the vine, so you are not able to do so if you are not in me. BBE
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {without me: or, severed from me} KJV
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches: he who is in me at all times as I am in him, gives much fruit, because without me you are able to do nothing. BBE
The most effective way you can witness is also stated very clearly -
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. KJV
Matthew 5:16 Even so let your light be shining before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. BBE
Very rarely do people ask about God in an outright manner, if they really want to know more. They usually indulge an intellectual argument or question, rather than admit they want to know more about God because they know their lives have something missing. That is especially true in today's hectic world of confusion and "self." So the best thing you can do is live a life that others want to ask you about. You'll find that it does happen.
At that point, God has opened the door for you to serve him and your fellow human. Be prepared. Be prayed up each day so that The Holy Spirit will guide your daily activities. Don't rely on "self" because it didn't work in the garden of Eden and it won't work now. And remember:
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. KJV
2 Timothy 2:7 Give thought to what I say; for the Lord will give you wisdom in all things. BBE