"CAN I GET A WITNESS?"
By John R. Funk
How often have we heard that phrase in our lifetimes? They are not just
words that one might hear in an evangelical service; they are also some
of the lyrics to "Some Kind of Wonderful" by Grand Funk Railroad.
In fact, if you do a search on this phrase, you will get a number of
hits, mostly pertaining to a song by the Rolling Stones. However, that
particular phrase has a much greater meaning to one who professes to
believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That phrase refers to something
that a number of Christians do not know how to do, i.e. witness to others
about their faith.
The concept of witnessing is not a contemporary idea but
is one that is steeped in the history of the early church. Following
the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostles gave
witness to the historicity of the Messiah. They presented the good news
message of the Gospel through their testimony. Unfortunately, many people
today have failed to learn how to share their witness and are therefore
reluctant to do so.
The apostle Paul witnessed to King Agrippa in an effort
to convert him to Christianity and it is through this testimony that
we can learn an approach to providing our own witness as a disciple
of Christ. Paul, in his journey to Rome, appeared before King Agrippa
to give witness to his life and conversion to the cause of Christ. Commencing
in the 26th Chapter of Acts, it is recorded that:
Acts 26:1-3 **New International Version
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission
to speak for yourself." So Paul motioned with his hand and
began his defense: 2 "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate
to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the
accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well
acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore,
I beg you to listen to me patiently.. |
Acts 26:1-3 King James Version
1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted
to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and
answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because
I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the
things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because
I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are
among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. |
In this instance Paul "earned the right to be heard"
when the king allowed him to speak. This concept of "earning the
right to be heard" carries with it the idea that one is not merely
entitled to be heard because of their position or their opinion but
rather that one has earned that right. Allowing another to speak and
voice their beliefs and opinions would earn one the right to be heard
in contemporary society. For example, if I engage another in conversation
and during that conversation the other party talks about their belief
system or meaningful, life-changing events, they have given me the "right
to be heard." To deny me this right would be rude and violative
of social mores. However, I have to be willing to listen with respect
and attention to what they have to say.
After having earned the right to be heard, Paul indicated
that he wanted to respond to accusations made by the Jewish authorities
and in doing so, he complimented King Agrippa by recognizing his particular
expertise in this area. It may not be necessary to go the lengths provided
by Paul but giving a preface to what is about to be said places everything
that follows in its proper context.
Paul then shared with King Agrippa where he came from;
this was part of his own personal history. This beginning helped the
transition into a contemporary setting for Paul.
Acts 26:4-5 **New International Version
4 "The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was
a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also
in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify,
if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our
religion, I lived as a Pharisee. |
Acts 26:4-5 King James Version
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at
the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that
after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. |
In this particular instance Paul then went on to tell
the king why he had been brought before him. He referred to prophetical
statements which foretold the coming of the Messiah, i.e. the hope of
the promise made of God.
Acts 26:6-7**New International Version
6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has
promised our fathers that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise
our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly
serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that
the Jews are accusing me. |
Acts 26:6-7 King James Version
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of
the promise made of God unto our fathers:7 Unto which promise
our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to
come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the
Jews. |
The next thing that Paul addressed was the story of his
conversion. This was a dramatic, life-changing event which defined the
path which he then followed until his death. It was a memory which was
so vivid that he carried it with him wherever he went. He could tell
it in excruciating detail.
Acts 26:9-18 **New International Version
9 "I too was convinced that I ought to do all
that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10
And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of
the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when
they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a
time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished,
and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against
them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. 12 "On
one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority
and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, O king, as
I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the
sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the
ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ' Saul, Saul,
why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the
goads.' 15 "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' "'I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 16'Now get
up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you
as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and
what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people
and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their
eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power
of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' |
Acts 26:9-18 King James Version
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to
do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which
thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut
up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;
and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them
to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted
them even unto strange cities. 12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus
with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday,
O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness
of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with
me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice
speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the
pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus
whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for
I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister
and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of
those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering
thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send
thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified
by faith that is in me. |
Where did this experience leave him? What was the ultimate
result? Where did he find himself as he addressed King Agrippa?
Acts 26:19-23 **New International Version
19 "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient
to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then
to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also,
I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their
repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why the Jews seized me in
the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But I have had God's
help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small
and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets
and Moses said would happen- 23 that the Christ would suffer and,
as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his
own people and to the Gentiles." |
Acts 26:19-23 King James Version
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient
unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus,
and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and
then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God,
and do works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews
caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.22 Having therefore
obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both
to small and great, saying none other things than those which
the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should
suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from
the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. |
Unfortunately, Paul's witness did not apparently change
the mind of anyone in the king's court that day but he did not retreat
from his position. He spoke the truth of his experience, an experience
that changed his life (and saved his life) forever.
Acts 26:24-28 **New International Version
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense.
"You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your
great learning is driving you insane." 25 "I am not
insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What
I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with
these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that
none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in
a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know
you do." 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think
that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" |
Acts 26:24-28 King James Version
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said
with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning
doth make thee mad.25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus;
but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.26 For the king
knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for
I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him;
for this thing was not done in a corner.27 King Agrippa, believest
thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.28 Then Agrippa
said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. |
Although the witness of Paul did not change the mind of
King Agrippa, his testimony provides an outline that today's believer
can apply to his or her own testimony. That outline is summarized as:
1. Earning the right to be heard;
2. A brief prior history of one's life (telling where you came from);
3. The conversion experience (how you came to Christ); and,
4. Where you are now as a result that experience.
In short, tell your story. It is not something to be memorized
but it should be a memory that is etched in your mind. It is a life-defining
moment and resulted in the most important decision of your life. When
you share it, it is the planting of a seed in the life of another. Don't
worry about necessarily being the one who might bring the listener to
faith in Christ. That may not be your job. Your job may just be to share
your life and the love you now have with someone else. Don't worry about
doing it. Give some credit to the Holy Spirit and how He works in your
life. He knows what He is doing. Trust me. He knows.
** A modern language quote is provided
for readability together with the accompanying KJV version which is
believed by many to be a more accurate representation of the original
scripture.
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