In many religious circles today, the word “witnessing” has taken on a meaning far different from its biblical use. People are often urged to “share their testimony” or “witness” to others by describing how they felt when they came to believe in Christ.
Yet when we open the New Testament, we find that the term witness had a very specific purpose—and it was never about feelings or personal experiences.
The Biblical Meaning of Witnessing
In Scripture, a witness was someone who could give firsthand testimony to facts they personally saw or heard.
Jesus told His apostles, “You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Peter later declared, “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32).
The apostles saw the risen Lord, heard His teaching, and were chosen to bear that divine testimony (Acts 10:39-42).
Their witness was confirmed by miracles (Hebrews 2:3–4), ensuring that the message they preached was from God.
No one today can be a witness in that same sense. We were not present at the resurrection or among the multitudes Jesus healed.
Instead, we believe based on the written record of those eyewitnesses—the inspired Scriptures. That testimony has been fully delivered and confirmed (Jude 3).
Modern “Testimonies” — Feeling Over Faith
Modern witnessing and “testimony services” often focus on emotion rather than revelation.
Instead of proclaiming what God has said, many tell what they have felt.
The danger is subtle but serious: hearts can be stirred without being converted.
Paul warned that a time would come when people would “not endure sound doctrine” but would turn aside to messages that please the ear (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Emotional sincerity cannot replace obedience to truth. Cornelius was devout, prayerful, and sincere—but still lost until he heard Peter preach the gospel (Acts 11:14).
Faith does not come by hearing human stories. It comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).
Preaching — God’s Way to Reach the Heart
From Pentecost forward, the church grew by preaching, not by personal storytelling.
The apostles “reasoned,” “persuaded,” and “taught” men to believe in Christ.
Paul commanded Timothy, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).
True preaching confronts sin, proclaims grace, and calls for repentance. It is not about self-expression—it is about divine revelation.
When we trade preaching for testimonies, we move the spotlight from the cross to the self, and from the word of God to the words of men.
The gospel still has the power to save (Romans 1:16). It doesn’t need to be dressed in human emotion to be effective.
The Danger of Substituting Preaching with Storytelling
The modern shift toward storytelling and testimony-sharing has quietly redefined worship in many circles.
Congregations applaud heartfelt experiences but grow silent toward book-chapter-verse preaching.
This change replaces conviction with inspiration, and revelation with relatability.
Yet Scripture commands that preaching be done with clarity and authority (Titus 2:15).
God chose the foolishness of preaching—not personal confession—to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21).
The early church had no “testimony services.” They had sermons filled with Scripture, logic, and the gospel plan of salvation.
Restoring Biblical Simplicity
We must be careful not to confuse gratitude for God’s mercy with a divine commission to witness.
The true witness has already been given: the written word of the apostles and prophets.
Our task is not to offer new testimonies, but to preach the old gospel.
When we speak, let it be as “the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11).
Let our confidence rest not in emotional storytelling, but in the timeless truth that still convicts and converts today.
How to Respond Biblically
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Use Scripture as your source of truth.
When someone asks about your faith, point them to the Bible, not to your emotions.
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Respect the apostolic witness.
Teach from the written word, not from personal experiences. The apostles’ witness is sufficient and final.
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Uphold preaching in the church.
Encourage messages that expound Scripture and convict the conscience, not ones that merely entertain or inspire.
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Show gratitude, not self-glory.
Give thanks for what God has done in your life—but let your focus remain on His work, not your story.
