Witnessing

Every Christian is called to be a witness for Jesus. Immediately before Jesus returned to His Father, He told His followers, "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me.'' (Acts 1:8)

The idea of the professional witness is foreign to Scripture. The Bible does not teach that it is the duty of the clergy alone to witness. The minister is not paid to do all the Church's outreach.

Luke tells us, that after the death of Stephen, great persecution came upon the first Church. He goes on to say, "They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. . . . They that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the Word.'' (Acts 8:1,4)

The professionals, the Apostles, stayed in Jerusalem. The lay people, the regular Church members, went out from Jerusalem. Where ever they went they witnessed.

The preaching in this passage means proclaiming, telling. It was both by action and by speech. It was both to individuals and to groups.

A Christian who is not a witness will soon lose his enthusiasm for spiritual things. God intends for us to tell others what He has done. An active witness encourages us in our Bible study, prayer and fellowship.