Is telling your personal experience the same as proclaiming the Gospel?

(Mark 5:15-20; 16:1-11;  Acts 4:1-20; 24:24-26; 26:1-32; 1 John 1:1-3) Blog July 5-11, 2020

Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA

REVIEW: All believers in Jesus are to be his witnesses. They are to tell others about God’s saving love which motivates their testimony. When sinners are converted joy comes to them, to those who witnessed to them, to God, and to the angels in heaven, a multitude of sins are covered by the blood of Christ, and the believer grows more like his Savior.

         Content (Matt. 9:9-10; Mark 5:15-20; 16:9-11; Luke 24:25-31; John 1:45; 4:28-30; Acts 4:19-23; 24:22-26; 2 Peter 1:16-19)

1. What relationship to Jesus is testified in First John 1? That of one of his faithful disciples, who was to bear witness to the events of Jesus life, suffering, & death: that is the Gospel.

2. To whom did Mary Magdalene tell the news of Jesus’ resurrection? And to whom did Peter and John relate their experience before the Sanhedrin? To his disciples (the church, not to unbelievers) = for their encouragement.

3. What did Jesus tell the healed demoniac to do as a witness? “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

4. How did Philip share his personal testimony about Jesus? By telling Nathaniel: “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

5. How did Matthew share his personal testimony about Jesus? By throwing a big party & inviting all his former friends to dine together with Jesus.

6. How did the Samaritan woman at the well share her personal testimony about Jesus? By telling the men of her city toCome, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”

7. What should we learn from the personal testimonies listed above. That the center of their testimony was about Jesus (not about themselves), that it was brief, & that it always included an invitation.

8. What are the only recorded instances when Paul told his conversion story? Only when brought to trial before councils, magistrates, or kings.

9. When, after his trial, Paul was given an opportunity to tell Felix about the faith in Christ, what did he present rather than his conversion experience? He reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, emphasizing the exalted claims of the Law of God.

10. Rather than reveal himself and testify of his resurrection from the dead what did Jesus view as more important than his personal testimony for Cleopas and his companion as they walked toward Emmaus? That their faith be first established on the sure word of Scripture rather than upon his personal testimony.

11. When Peter tells what he saw and heard during his mount of transfiguration experience what caution does he add? That his personal experience is not as trustworthy or important as the testimony of Scripture that proves Jesus is the Messiah.

12. Is telling your personal experience the same as proclaiming the Gospel? No, the Gospel is the story (‘word”) of Jesus’ incarnation, life, death, resurrection, & ascension to heaven – your personal testimony speaks of events that took place long after the Gospel was finished. The Gospel is what saves us, NOT our personal experience!

            Effect (Matt. 9:9-10; Mark 5:15-20; 16:9-11; John 1:45; 4:28-30; Acts 4:19-23; 24:24-25; 2 Peter 1:16-19)

13. When Mary told the disciples that Jesus had risen, what was their response? They didn’t believe her.

14. When Philip told Nathanael that he had found the Messiah what was Nathanael’s response? A sarcastic reply: “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

15. When the Samaritan woman gave her testimony to the men of her city, what was their response? They went to see Jesus for themselves.

16. When Matthew gave his personal testimony at a party what happened? The Pharisees saw what was going on & reproved Christ’s disciples for participating in that kind of testimony (& were reproved by Jesus).

17. When Felix heard Paul tell of the faith in Christ what was his response? He trembled and answered, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”

18. What can we learn from the above-mentioned responses to personal testimony? That while it is a great witnessing tool it can be rejected or a proper response be delayed.

Necessity (Mark 5:19-20; Acts 4:11-12, 20; 1 Pet. 3:1-2)

19. According to Peter and John how urgent was it for them to tell others about what they had seen and heard? So urgent that they would endure beatings, imprisonment, & death rather than cease to tell the story of Jesus.

20. What does Peter say that a wife can do for her unbelieving husband without saying a word? She can win him to the faith by her godly conduct & submission to him, showing that personal behavior is more powerful than personal testimony (which was also the case with Peter & John before the council – for the Sanhedrin noted their “boldness”) .

21. What other options are there for receiving eternal life apart from Jesus? None, Peter makes clear before the council that there is no salvation for Jews who believe in God & reject Jesus nor for Muslims who believe in God & reject Jesus.

22. What can we learn from the fact that Jesus felt it more important for the healed demoniac to return and tell his family what God had done for him than to stay with Jesus? That in order to continue receiving God’s blessings we need to tell others what he has done for us rather than just enjoying these blessing where the Christian life is comfortable – in that way we fulfill Christ’s commission, have increased joy, & grow in our Christian experience (If we don’t share what we have received we will not have room to receive more)