The Power Of Your Testimony

“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” Acts 22:1

The word of our testimony is a very powerful spiritual weapon when we engage in soul-winning (Rev. 12:10-11). A faith-filled, positive, well-organized testimony is a very effective destroyer of fear, doubt and apathy. A testimony is especially powerful when it is inspired by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Jesus encourages us that the most dire situation may “turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist” (Luke 21:13-15).

Principle #1 in sharing your testimony: Identify and endear yourself to your listener. In Acts 21-22, Paul was brought before a hostile crowd. He didn’t try to act religious or be superspiritual. He simply used wisdom to gain a chance to witness for the Lord. He appealed to the fact that he was a citizen of the Roman Empire and as such, he had a constitutional right to speak freely as a citizen (21:37-39). To win their attention, Paul spoke to the predominantly Jewish crowd in the Hebrew language instead of Greek. By doing that, he identifi ed himself as a fellow Jew and endeared himself to the people (21:40-22:2).

Principle #2: Don’t preach down at others; be persuasive by talking politely to them. Paul didn’t preach hard at the people in a condescending tone. Instead, he chose to simply share his personal life testimony (22:3).

Principle #3: Briefly tell how you were like before you accepted Christ. Paul shared about his past as an ultra-zealous Pharisee, preoccupied with jailing Christians and persecuting many believers to death (22:4-5).

Principle #4: Briefly tell how you received Christ. Paul then shared how he met Jesus on the way to Damascus (22:6-16). All throughout his testimony, he didn’t use highsounding theological jargons. He spoke so simply that even the most hardened sinner could understand him.

Principle #5: Briefly tell how you are like after you accepted Christ (22:17-21). Notice that all throughout the sharing, Paul kept his testimony very short and brief. A good testimony should not last more than fi ve minutes. Paul used this simple testimony format very effectively to reach out to many sinners-to government offi cials and even King Agrippa. Agrippa was so moved by his sharing that he told Paul: “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (26:28). Learn to be a good witness for Christ by always being ready to share your testimony.