Testifying II - Spiritual Growth for New Believers

Chapter Two: A Good Example of Bearing Witness

Let’s look at a few examples in the Bible that illustrate good ways of bearing witness.

1. Going to the City to Tell

In John 4, there’s the story of the Samaritan woman. Jesus spoke to her about living water, showing her that without living water, a person can never be truly satisfied. Drinking from the well’s water will only leave one thirsty again. No matter how many times you drink, you are never fully satisfied. Only the water that Jesus offers satisfies because it becomes a spring within us, flowing continuously to keep us full. With such inner fulfillment, one can experience true satisfaction.

This woman had been married five times. One husband after another, yet still unsatisfied. It’s like a person drinking water but never quenching their thirst. Even the man she was with at the time was not her husband, and she remained unsatisfied. But Jesus offered her the living water that could satisfy her. When He revealed to her who she was and what she had been living, she realized that He was the Messiah. She left her water jar behind, ran to the city, and said, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" Her first act was to bear witness. What was her witness? She testified about Christ. Some things she did might have been known to the townspeople, but others were not. Yet, Jesus revealed them all to her. So she went and testified, asking if this could be the Christ. Many believed because of her testimony.

Every Christian has a responsibility to bear witness to the Lord. He saved me, a great sinner. If He isn’t the Christ, then who is He? If He isn’t the Son of God, then who is He? I must speak up; I cannot remain silent. Though I may not know all the theology, I know He is the Christ, the Son of God, and the Savior appointed by God. I realize I am a sinner saved by Him. I may not understand all the details, but you can see the change in me. I was once blind, but now I see. I once thought I was a good person, but now I realize I am a sinner. I didn’t think certain things were sins, but now I know. Some sins I wasn’t aware of, but now I see them clearly. Jesus showed me who I am. I must testify, "Could this not be the Savior, the Christ, the only one who can save us?"

Anyone who recognizes themselves as a sinner has a good testimony to share. Anyone who sees the Savior also has a good testimony to share. This woman’s testimony was immediate after meeting Jesus. She didn’t wait years; she went to the city right away. When someone is saved, they should testify immediately about what they have seen and understood. Don’t speak about things you don’t understand. Just share what you know. You can say things like, "Before I believed, I was so passive; now I’m active. I used to seek fulfillment and never found it, but now I have a peace and joy in my heart I cannot explain. I used to be anxious and restless, but now I feel peace and joy in everything." Speak about your personal experience, not what you can’t explain. When you share your story as a living testimony, people have no reason to argue.

2. Going Home to Tell Others

In Mark 5:1-20, there is the story of the man possessed by demons, the most severe case in the Bible. He lived in tombs and couldn’t be bound, even with chains. He would scream day and night and hurt himself with stones. When Jesus cast the demons out, they entered into a herd of about two thousand pigs, which drowned in the sea. After the man was healed, Jesus told him, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you."

When you are saved, the Lord wants you to tell your family, neighbors, friends, and coworkers about the great things He has done for you. It’s not just about telling them you’ve believed in Jesus, but sharing what He has done for you.

Sadly, many Christians still have family members who are heading toward destruction. Some parents, children, relatives, and friends still haven’t heard the gospel from us. They live with the joys of today but have no hope for the future. Why not tell them about what the Lord has done for you? They are so close to us. If they don’t hear it from us, who will tell them?

To bear witness at home, there must be a visible change in our lives. We need to show our family that after believing, we have changed in remarkable ways. We must be more righteous, self-sacrificial, loving, diligent, and joyful than we were before. If there is no visible change, they won’t believe us. At the same time, we should share with them why we’ve changed. We need to testify to them.

3. Publicly Proclaiming in the Synagogues

In Acts 9:19-21, Saul, who had been persecuting the disciples, immediately began preaching in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. When Saul, now Paul, received his sight after being blinded on the road to Damascus, he didn’t hide. Instead, he immediately went to the synagogues and preached that Jesus is the Son of God. Every believer should do the same.

People know there is someone named Jesus, but they don’t understand who He truly is. When you receive the revelation, your eyes are opened, and you realize that Jesus is the Son of God. This is a monumental discovery! Saul, once a persecutor, now boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues. It was not just a simple fact; it was an earth-shattering revelation that must be shared with others.

4. Leading One Person to Christ

After a person believes, they should also lead others to the Lord. In John 1:40-45, Andrew believed in Jesus and immediately went to bring his brother, Peter. Though later Peter became the more gifted apostle, it was Andrew who first led him to Jesus. Philip also went to bring his friend Nathanael to Jesus.

About a century ago, a believer named Harry Page was greatly blessed by the Lord. He didn’t have special gifts to lead many people, but he could lead one person at a time. He led more than a hundred people to Christ through consistent prayer and speaking to them about the Lord.

Once, a man named Todd, a gifted evangelist, led someone to the Lord very quickly. He went to a village and met an elderly couple who led him to Christ. Later, they spoke about a man named Mr. Dee, who was very hostile toward Christians. He had a gun ready to shoot anyone who preached the gospel to him. Todd decided to go to Mr. Dee’s house to testify. Despite being threatened with a gun, Todd prayed for him, and eventually, Mr. Dee accepted Christ.

This shows that a new believer can make an immediate impact. When a person is saved, they should not wait. They should share the gospel with others right away.