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5 Examples of Witnessing in the Bible – Viral Believer
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5 Examples of Witnessing in the Bible

Introduction

As Christians, we are called to be witnesses of Christ to those around us. The Bible gives us many examples of witnessing, both in the Old and New Testaments. In this post, we will explore five of those examples and see what we can learn from them.

Before we dive into the examples, let’s take a moment to understand what witnessing means. Witnessing is simply telling others about what Jesus has done in our lives and inviting them to trust in Him. It is not about convincing someone with clever arguments or trying to convert them through our own efforts.

Witnessing is about sharing our own personal experiences with Christ and leaving the rest to the Holy Spirit.

As we explore the examples of witnessing in the Bible, we will see how different people witnessed in different ways, and how their testimonies impacted those around them. We can learn from these examples and apply them to our own lives as we seek to share the gospel with those around us.

witnessing in the Bible

Example 1: The Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42)

In this story, Jesus meets a woman at a well in Samaria and engages her in conversation. He tells her about living water that will satisfy her soul, and she is intrigued. Jesus then reveals to her that He is the Messiah, and she becomes convinced and goes back to her village to tell everyone about Him.

The woman at the well is an example of how we can witness to those we meet in our daily lives. We can engage people in conversation, show interest in their lives, and share with them how Christ has transformed ours.

Jesus used this woman’s curiosity about the living water to open a conversation about spiritual matters. He did not force the conversation or lecture her about her sin. Instead, He listened to her and spoke to her in a way that was relevant to her life.

When we witness to others, we can follow Jesus’ example by being respectful, compassionate, and relevant. We can ask questions, listen to their responses, and look for ways to connect our own experiences with Christ to their own needs and concerns.

Example 2: The Blind Man (John 9:1-41)

In this story, Jesus heals a man who was born blind. The Pharisees question the man about his healing, but he simply testifies to what Jesus has done for him. He says, “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25 NKJV).

The blind man is an example of how we can witness even when we don’t have all the answers. We don’t need to have a theological degree or be able to answer every question. We simply need to testify to what Christ has done in our lives.

The blind man did not argue with the Pharisees or try to convince them with clever arguments. He simply testified to what he knew to be true.

When we witness to others, we can follow the blind man’s example by being honest, simple, and confident. We don’t need to have all the answers or be able to explain every theological concept. We simply need to share our own experiences with Christ and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

Example 3: Paul and Silas in Prison (Acts 16:16-40)

In this story, Paul and Silas are thrown into prison for casting out a demon from a slave girl. While in prison, they begin to sing and praise God, and an earthquake shakes the prison doors open. The jailer is amazed and asks them how he can be saved.

Paul and Silas are an example of how our witness can have a powerful impact on others. When we live out our faith in the midst of difficult circumstances, people take notice.

In this case, the jailer saw how Paul and Silas responded to their imprisonment with joy and faith, and he was drawn to the hope and peace that they had. Their testimony led him to ask how he could be saved.

When we face difficult circumstances in our own lives, we can use them as opportunities to witness to those around us. We can show others how our faith sustains us in the midst of trials and how we find hope in Christ. Our example can be a powerful witness to others, even when we don’t say a word.

Example 4: Stephen’s Testimony (Acts 7:1-60)

In this story, Stephen gives a powerful testimony to the Jewish leaders before he is stoned to death. He recounts the history of Israel and shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of their prophecies. Even in the face of death, Stephen boldly proclaims the truth.

Stephen is an example of how we can witness even in the face of opposition. We may not face physical persecution, but we will encounter people who are hostile to the gospel. In those moments, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to give us the words to speak.

We can boldly proclaim the truth, even when it is unpopular or uncomfortable.

When we witness to others, we can follow Stephen’s example by being bold, clear, and unashamed. We can speak the truth in love and trust that the Holy Spirit will use our words to convict and convince those who hear us.

Example 5: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)

In this story, Philip is led by the Spirit to a desert road where he meets an Ethiopian eunuch who is reading from the book of Isaiah. Philip explains the gospel to him, and the eunuch becomes a believer and is baptized.

Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch are an example of how God can use us to witness to people from all backgrounds and cultures. We may feel like we don’t have much in common with someone, but God can use our willingness to share the gospel to reach them.

Philip did not hesitate to approach the eunuch, even though he was a foreigner and a eunuch, two groups that were considered outcasts in Jewish society.

When we witness to others, we can follow Philip’s example by being open, inclusive, and respectful. We can look for opportunities to share the gospel with people from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We can trust that God will use our witness to draw people to Himself, regardless of their race, gender, or social status.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these five examples of witnessing in the Bible show us that there are many different ways to share the love of Christ with others. We can witness to those we meet in our daily lives, even when we don’t have all the answers.

We can live out our faith in the midst of difficult circumstances, even when we face opposition. And we can trust God to use us to reach people from all backgrounds and cultures.

As we go out to share the gospel, let’s remember that it is not about us. It is about pointing others to Christ and letting the Holy Spirit do the rest. Let’s be faithful witnesses of Christ and trust Him to use our testimony to bring others to Him.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NKJV)

In addition to these examples, the Bible also gives us many other teachings on witnessing. For example, in 1 Peter 3:15-16, we are told to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (NKJV).

This verse reminds us that we should be prepared to share our faith with others, but we should do so with gentleness and respect.

As we seek to be faithful witnesses of Christ, we may encounter challenges and obstacles. We may face rejection, ridicule, or even persecution.

But we can take comfort in the words of Jesus, who said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12 NKJV).

As we look to these examples of witnessing in the Bible and throughout history, we can be encouraged and inspired to share the love of Christ with those around us. We can trust in God’s power to use our witness for His glory, and we can rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and empower us in our witness.

In closing, let us remember the words of the apostle Paul, who said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16 NKJV). May we too be unashamed of the gospel, and may we faithfully witness to the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.