In the second of a two-part article, Diocesan Evangelism Enabler, Gareth Fitzpatrick, writes about how we are all called to be witnesses.
In the previous article, I highlighted how Jesus asserted to his disciples that they would be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). It isn’t something they can opt in or out of. This still applies to followers of Jesus today. The question isn’t are we witnessing? but are we witnessing in a way that glorifies God—or in a way that defames Him to those looking on?
In this article, I will look at three characteristics of a faithful witness.
A faithful witness is credible
Back in the courtroom, the second witness is articulate and convincing—until the judge discovers he has twice been convicted of perjury. His testimony is dismissed.
The point is clear: our words must be backed up by lives that are consistent with what we claim.
As Brennan Manning said:
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
A faithful witness withstands pressure
Taking the stand in court is rarely easy. Witnesses face cross-examination and even intimidation. Yet despite this a faithful witness will stand by what they know to be true and refuse to change their story.
Jesus warned His followers: “You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them” (Matthew 10:18).
As a follower of Jesus witnessing is not always easy, though we don’t face the same pressures as the early disciples faced in the bible (or as our brothers and sisters face today in certain parts of the world) we may encounter ridicule and rejection from those around us.
A faithful witness talks
You might be thinking, “Well, that’s obvious—of course a witness needs to speak!” Yet when I visit churches as an evangelist, people often tell me you don’t need to verbalise your faith—that you can simply live it out instead. This idea is usually supported by the saying attributed to St Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.”
But there are problems with this. Francis almost certainly never said it; he certainly didn’t live by it—he regularly preached the gospel. And most importantly, it isn’t biblical. Paul writes in Romans 10: “…And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?... ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’”
To be a faithful witness requires both actions and word. Let’s go back to the courtroom setting: the barrister calls the first witness and she starts to cross examine the witness but they just stand there, silent.
What are the jury to think? The witness has been called to give an account, but they say nothing.
As witnesses of Jesus we are commanded to “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15.
In Act 1:8 Jesus calls each one of us to go out into the world and be His witnesses. We may face pressure and even opposition, but we can take heart because we are sent by Jesus, in the power of His Holy Spirit who gives us the words to speak and strength to act as His faithful witnesses.