Witnessing

1. It is your duty, as a Christian, to witness:

A. Jesus gave "the Great Commission" to all His disciples:

Mat.4:19 Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men
Mk.16:15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
Acts 1:8 Ye shall be witnesses...unto uttermost part of earth
Mat.28:19,20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations
Mk.13:10 The gospel must...be published among all nations
Lk.24:47 Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations
Jn.15:16 Ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit (See also Mat.24:14)

B. Jesus sends you as His labourer and witness:

Isa.6:8 Whom shall I send? Here am I; send me
Mat.9:37,38 Labourers are few... Pray the Lord...that He will send forth labourers into His harvest
Lk.9:2 (Jesus) sent them to preach...the Kingdom of God
Jn.20:21 As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you
Rom.10:14,15 How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
2Cor.5:20 We are ambassadors for Christ

2. Why you need to witness:

A. You talk about what you believe in:

Psa.107:2 Let the redeemed (saved) of the Lord say so
Jn.3:11 We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen
Acts 4:20 We...speak the things which we have seen and heard
2Cor.4:13 I believed, therefore have I spoken (See Psa.116:10a)

B. To save souls from death:

Pro.14:25 A true witness delivereth souls
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, turn from power of Satan unto God
Jam.5:20 He which converteth sinner...save a soul from death

C. If you don't, you and they will suffer:

Ezk.3:17-19 Nor speakest to warn the wicked...his blood will I require at thine hand (See also Acts 20:26,27)
Mk.8:38 Of him shall Son of man be ashamed when He cometh
Lk.12:8,9 He that denieth Me before men shall be denied
1Cor.9:16 Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel
2Cor.4:3 If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost
(See also Jer.8:20 ; Jon.1:1-17 .)

3. Don't be shy or ashamed to witness:

Psa.119:46 I will speak of Thy testimonies...and not be ashamed
Isa.40:9 Lift up thy voice with strength; be not afraid
Isa.62:6b Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence
Mat.5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world...cannot be hid...let (it) shine before men (See also Mk.4:21 ; Lk.8:16 .)
Mk.8:38 Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words...of him shall the Son of man be ashamed
Acts 18:9b Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace
Rom.1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
Eph.6:18-20 (Pray)...that I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak
1Thes.2:2 We were bold...to speak the gospel of God
2Tim.1:8a Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord
(See also Jer.1:6-9)

4. Pointers on how to be a good witness:

Pro.18:13 [Ask questions] He that answereth a matter before he
Jam.1:19 [Listen] Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak
Pro.20:5 [Get them to speak their heart] Draw it out
Mat.12:34b Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh
Acts 26:27 [Ask what they believe] Believest thou the prophets?
Acts 17:23-28 [Find points of agreement] Your own poets have said
1Cor.9:19-22 I (became) all things to all men, that I might save
Acts 26:1-20 [Give your own personal testimony. Example of Paul's]
Mk.4:2 [Illustrate your point with true stories] (Jesus) taught them many things by parables
Lk.13:1-5 [Use current events: Pilate; tower of Siloam falling]
Acts 2:40 [Patiently explain] And with many other words did He
Psa.126:5,6 [Have a broken heart] Sow in tears...reap in joy
Mat.9:36 He was moved with compassion on them (lost sheep)
1Cor.13:1 [Speak in love, or it's just empty words like sound ing brass or a tinkling cymbal]
1Sam.16:23 [Music has spiritual power: Example of David playing the harp for King Saul]
Lk.14:23 [Be zealous and determined] Compel them to come in
1Ki.18:21a [Bring them to a decision] How long halt ye between two opinions? (See Josh.24:15 ; Heb.3:7,8a ; 2Cor.6:2 .)

5. Use the Word in your witnessing:

A. The Word is powerful and convinces people:

2Chr.17:9 They had the book of the law of the Lord with them... and went about...and taught the people
Lk.8:5,11 Sower sowed seed...the seed is the Word of God
Jn.4:41,42 Many more believed because of His Own Word...Now we believe, not because of (the woman's) saying
Jn.5:39 Search the Scriptures...they testify of Me (Jesus)
Jn.20:31 These written that ye might believe Jesus is Christ
Acts 17:2,3 Paul...reasoned with them out of the Scriptures
Acts 18:28 He mightily convinced...showing by the Scriptures
Tit.1:9 The Word, sound doctrine...convince the gainsayers

B. Scripture memorisation is important to witnessing:

Psa.119:42 Wherewith to answer him...for I trust in Thy Word
Pro.22:17-21 Answer words of truth to them that send unto thee
Mal.2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth...he did turn many away from iniquity
Mat.12:34b,35a A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things
Acts 13:32-35 [Quote the Word:] As it is written in the second Psalm
2Tim.4:2 Preach the Word...exhort with all...doctrine
1Pet.3:15 Be ready always to give an answer to every man

6. Keeping your witness simple:

Jn.12:32 And I, (Jesus) if I be lifted up...will draw all men unto Me
1Cor.1:17 Preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words
1Cor.2:1,2 I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom 1Cor.2:4 My preaching not with enticing words of man's wisdom
1Cor.14:9 Except ye utter words easy to be understood...how shall it be known what is spoken?
2Cor.1:12 In simplicity and sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom
2Cor.3:12 We use great plainness of speech

7. What you should preach (witness about):

A. Preach the gospel; preach Jesus:

Isa.58:1 Show My people their transgression and...sins
Mat.28:19,20 Teach...all things whatsoever I have commanded you
Mk.16:15 Preach the gospel [good news of salvation in Jesus]
Lk.9:2 (Jesus) sent them to preach the Kingdom of God
Jn.3:16 [That they can have eternal life by believing in Jesus]
Acts 4:2b They taught...the resurrection from the dead
Acts 5:42 They ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ
Acts 13:32-35 [Jesus fulfilled Old Testament Messianic prophecies]
Acts 13:38 Through (Jesus) is preached forgiveness of sins
Acts 20:21 Testifying...repentance toward God, faith toward Jesus
Rom.5:8 God commendeth His love toward us...while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us
1Cor.1:23 We preach Christ crucified
1Cor.15:3 I delivered unto you, that Christ died for our sins
1Cor.15:4 And that He was buried and rose again (from the dead)
2Cor.4:5 We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord
2Cor.5:20 We pray you...Be ye reconciled to God
1Tim.1:15 That Jesus came into the world to save sinners
1Jn.4:14 We testify...the Father sent the Son to be the saviour (See also Acts 10:42 ; 24:25a ; Eph.3:8 .)

B. What not to talk about:

1Cor.3:2 Not with meat (strong doctrines)...ye were not able to bear it
1Thes.2:3-6 Our exhortation was not of deceit, nor in guile. Neither at any time used we flattering words
2Tim.2:23 Foolish and unlearned questions avoid
Tit.3:9 Avoid foolish questions...and contentions and strivings
Heb.5:14 Strong meat (doctrine) belongeth to (the mature)

8. Who to witness to:

A. Jesus commanded us to witness to the whole world:

Mk.16:15 Preach the gospel to every creature (person)
Mat.28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations
Lk.8:39 Return to thine own house...show how great things
Mk.5:19 Go home to thy friends, and tell them
Mat.11:5b The poor have the gospel preached to them
Isa.61:1 Preach good tidings unto the meek
Acts 26:22a Witnessing both to small and great
Rom.15:20,21 I strived to preach...to they that have not heard
Acts 22:21 Unto the Gentiles [people of faraway nations]
Acts 28:28 Salvation sent unto Gentiles [receptive heathen]
Acts 17:18-21 [To curious philosophers and intellectuals]
Ezk.2:7 [Give everyone a chance, even the rebellious]
Ezk.3:17,18 Warn the wicked to turn from his wicked way

B. Who not to witness to:

Mat.9:13b I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners
Pro.23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise
Acts 13:45,46 [Don't continue witnessing to unreceptive rejectors] Mat.7:6 Give not that which is holy unto dogs [unreceptive people], neither cast your pearls before swine
Acts 18:6 When they opposed and blasphemed...he said, I will go
Mat.10:14 Whosoever shall...not hear your words...depart
Tit.3:10,11 Heretic after the first and second admonition reject
Pro.14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man

9. A winning personal example:

A. Your personal example is part of your witness:

Mat.5:16 Let your light so shine...men may see your works
Phi.2:15,16a Be blameless and harmless...shine as lights in the world; holding forth the Word of life
1Tim.4:12b Be thou an example of the believers
2Cor.3:2 Ye are our epistle (letter)...known and read of all men
Tit.2:7,8 In all things showing a pattern of good works
1Pet.3:1,2 [Unbelieving mates to be won by believer's sample] (See also 1Tim.5:14b)
Jn.13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another

B. Sample of happiness is appealing:

Psa.51:12,13 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation. Then sinners shall be converted unto Thee

C. Lovingly win others, not by arguing:

1Thes.1:7,8 We were gentle...affectionately desirous of you
2Tim.2:23,24 The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle
(See also 1Cor.13:1,2,8)

D. Personal example must back up your witness:

Jn.13:15 I (Jesus) have given an example, ye should do as I
Rom.2:21-24 Thou which teachest another, teachest thou not thy self? Thou that sayest man should not...dost thou?
(See also 1Cor.11:1 ; 1Tim.6:1 ; Tit.2:4,5 .)

10. When to witness:

A. We are to constantly witness:

Eccl.11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening
Jn.4:35 Look on the fields; they are white already to harvest
Acts 5:42 Daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not
2Tim.4:2 In season, out of season [even when "not convenient"]
1Pet.3:15 Be ready always to give an answer to every man
(See also Acts 20:31)

B. Pray for God to "open up" witnessing opportunities:

Col.4:3 Praying...that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ

C. Wait until it's God's time to witness to certain people:

Mat.10:5-7 Go not into the way of the Gentiles...but go rather... [But later said,] Go into all the world"-- Mk.16:15
Acts 16:6,7 (Paul) forbidden...to preach...in Asia [but did with great success a couple years later-- Acts 19:1,10 ]

11. Where to witness:

In your own house (Acts 28:30,31)
In every house (Acts 5:42)
From house to house (Acts 20:20)
In schools and lecture halls (Acts 19:9,10)
In church (Heb.2:12)
In marketplaces (Acts 17:17 )
In different racial neighbourhoods (Jn.4:1-42)
In the streets, lanes, highways, hedges (Lk.14:21b,23 )
All over the city (Lk.8:39b)
In cars [chariots] (Acts 8:29-35)
On boats (Acts 27:22-25)
In prison (Phi.1:12,13)
In court (Mat.10:18-20)
In the wilderness (Mat.3:1,2)
Everywhere (Acts 8:4)

12. The "fruit" Christians should bear is other Christians, new saved souls:

Lk.8:5-15 ["The Parable of the Sower"] (See also Mat.13:3-8, 18-23 ; Mk.4:2-8,14-20 .)
Lk.8:11 The seed is the Word of God [which we sow in hearts]
Mk.4:14 The sower (witnesser) soweth the Word
Pro.11:30 He that winneth souls is wise
Jn.12:24 But if it die (to self), it bringeth forth much fruit
Jn.15:5 He that abideth in Me...bringeth forth much fruit
Jn.15:8 Herein is (God) glorified, that ye bear much fruit
Rom.7:4 Married to (Jesus)...bring forth fruit unto God

13. The Holy Spirit and witnessing:

A. The Holy Spirit anoints you to witness about Jesus:

Isa.61:1 Spirit of the Lord upon me...anointed me to preach
Acts 1:8 Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses
Acts 4:29-31 They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake the Word of God with boldness
1Thes.1:5 Our gospel came...in power, and in the Holy Ghost
(See also Col.1:27-29)

B. Only God and His Holy Spirit can really win people:

Jn.6:44 No man can come to Me, except the Father...draw him
Zech.4:6b Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit
Mat.10:20 It is not ye, but the Spirit...which speaketh in you
Jn.15:5 Without Me ye can do nothing
1Cor.3:6,7 I have planted...but God gave the increase

14. Witnessing, the greatest work on earth:

A. Witnessing is a job worth giving all for:

Mat.4:19-22 Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men...they left their nets (See also Lk.5:9-11)
Mk.8:35 Lose his life for My sake and the gospel's
Mk.10:29 [Leave house, family, wife, lands for gospel's sake]
Lk.9:59,60 Let the dead bury the dead: but go thou and preach

B. Heavenly reward for witnessing:

Pro.11:30 He that winneth souls is wise
Dan.12:3 They that be wise shall shine...and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars (See Mat.13:43)
Lk.12:8 Him shall the Son of man confess before the angels
1Cor.3:8b Every man receive...reward according to his labours
1Cor.9:16,17a If I (preach the gospel) willingly, I have a reward

15. Reactions to the gospel:

A. The receptive believe the Word:

Jon.3:1-9 [Jonah preached in Ninevah, and entire city repented]
Jn.4:39-42 [Samaritans at Sychar received Jesus and believed]
Acts 8:5,6,8,14 [Philip preached in Samaria]...people with one accord gave heed...Samaria received the Word of God
Acts 16:14 Lydia...whose heart the Lord opened...she (listened)
Acts 16:32-34 They spake unto him the Word...he rejoiced, believing

B. The unreceptive reject the Word:

Lk.8:5,12 Devil taketh away Word, lest they believe
1Cor.1:18 Preaching...is to them that perish foolishness
2Cor.4:4 The god of this world blinded minds of (unbelieving)
(See also Jer.36:all)

C. Unpopularity and persecution because of witnessing:

Lk.6:22 Men shall cast out your name as evil, for (Jesus') sake
Jn.7:7 The world...hateth (Me), because I testify it (is) evil
Acts 16:20,21 These men do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach customs which are not lawful

D. Our witness a testimony against the unrepentant:

Mat.10:18 Brought before kings...for a testimony against them
Mk.6:11 Shake off dust...for a testimony against them
Jn.12:48 The Word that I have spoken...shall judge him

16. Witnessing boldly despite opposition:

A. Neither threats, persecution nor martyrdom should stop us:

Lk.21:12-15 They shall persecute you...I will give you wisdom
Act 4:29,31,33 Behold their threatenings...spake Word with boldness Act 14:1-3a Long time abode they speaking boldly in the Lord
Act 20:24 None of these things move me, neither count life dear
1Thes.2:2 Even after we suffered...we were bold to speak
Rev.6:9 Them that were slain for Word of God and testimony
Rev.12:11 They overcame him by the Word...loved not their lives Rev.20:4 Them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus

B. Witness even if man's laws forbid it:

Amos 7:12-15 [Evil priest said:] Prophesy not at Bethel...The Lord said unto me (Amos), Go, prophesy
Mat.10:16 Be ye wise as serpents, harmless as doves
Lk.10:3 I send you forth as lambs among wolves: be wise
Acts 4:17-20 We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard
Acts 5:27-29 We ought to obey God rather than men
Acts 5:40-42 Commanded they should not speak. They ceased not

17. More verses about witnessing and testifying:

A. From the Old Testament:

Deut.32:3 (I will publish the name of the Lord); 1Chr.16:8 (Make known His deeds among the people); Psa.9:11 (Declare among the people His doings); Psa.18:49 (I give thanks unto Thee among the heathen); Psa.26:7 (Publish...tell of all Thy wondrous works); Psa.66:16 (I will declare what He hath done for my soul); Psa.71:15 (My mouth shall show forth...Thy salvation all the day); Psa.89:1 (With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all); Psa.96:3 (Declare His...wonders among all people); Psa.96:10 (Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth); Psa.119:13 (With my lips have I declared judgments of Thy mouth); Psa.119:27 (So shall I talk of Thy wondrous works); Psa.145:4-7 (I will speak of glorious honour of Thy majesty); Psa.145:11,12 (Make known to the sons of men His mighty acts); Isa.43:10a (Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord); Isa.52:7 (How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace).

B. From the New Testament:

Mk.16:20 (They went forth, and preached everywhere); Lk.8:1 (Preaching and showing glad tidings of the Kingdom); Jn.4:39 (Many believed on Him for the saying of the woman); Jn.21:17 (Lovest thou Me? Feed My sheep); Acts 5:20 (Go, speak to the people...all the words of this life); Acts 5:32 (And we are His witnesses of these things); Acts 10:42 (He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify); Acts 13:49 (Word of the Lord published throughout all the region); Acts 18:25 (Being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught diligently); Acts 22:15 (Thou shalt be His witness unto all men); Rom.10:15b (How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel); 2Tim.2:2 (The things which thou hast heard...commit to faithful men, who shall...teach others); 2Tim.4:2 (Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season).