Sharing the good news about God and Jesus Christ with others is a work to which some believers have a special calling, but in which all believers are to take part.
Witnessing is sharing the truth of God
Psalm 145:10–12; Luke 24:46–48 See also 1 Chronicles 16:7–9; Psalm 71:15; Matthew 27:54 parallels Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47; John 1:35–36, John 4:29
All You have made will give You thanks, O LORD, and Your saints will bless You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, to make known to men Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
Believers are commanded to witness
Matthew 28:18–19 See also Isaiah 12:4–5; Matthew 24:14 parallel Mark 13:10; Acts 1:8, Acts 9:15–16
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Special ministries of witnessing
By the prophets
John 1:6–8 See also Jeremiah 1:4–9; Ezekiel 33:7–9; Jonah 1:2, Jonah 1:9; John 1:15, John 1:29, John 1:36; Acts 10:43
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
By Jesus Christ
John 18:37 See also John 3:31–34; Revelation 1:5, Revelation 3:14
“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
By the apostles
Acts 4:33 See also Acts 2:32, Acts 10:39–42, Acts 13:30–31; 1 John 1:1–3
With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all.
By Christian leaders
2 Timothy 1:8 Paul, in prison for his faith, encourages the young leader, Timothy. See also Acts 8:5; Ephesians 4:11
So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
Witnessing is a task for all God's people
1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 3:15 See also Psalm 26:6–7, Psalm 107:1–2ISA Psalm 43:10, Isaiah 43:12, Isaiah 44:8 Isaiah 52:7; Acts 8:4
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
Witnessing is a major aspect of Christian living
Romans 10:9–10 See also Matthew 10:32–33 parallels Mark 8:38, Luke 12:8–9; 2 Corinthians 4:13; 1 John 2:23, 1 John 4:15
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
Examples of witnessing to Jesus Christ
Matthew 16:16 parallels Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20 Simon Peter; Luke 2:16–17 shepherds; John 1:40–42 Andrew; John 1:49 Nathanael; John 11:27 Martha; John 20:28 Thomas; Acts 8:37 the Ethiopian eunuch
Witnessing recounts personal experience
Isaiah 63:7 See also Psalm 66:16; Jeremiah 51:10; Daniel 4:2; Matthew 9:27–31; Mark 1:40–45; John 9:25; Acts 4:20
I will make known the LORD’s loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us— the many good things for the house of Israel according to His great compassion and loving devotion.
Witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Acts 2:32 See also Luke 24:33–35; Acts 5:30–32; 1 Corinthians 15:3–7
God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.