1. Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials? I. The Denominational Concepts of “Witnessing.” A. Personal Testimony concerning an experience. B. Denomination called “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Are these ideas and approaches taught in Scripture? I. The Denominational Concepts of “Witnessing.” A. Personal Testimony concerning an experience. B. Denomination called “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Are these ideas and approaches taught in Scripture?

2. Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials? II. The Biblical Words for “Witnessing” & “Testifying.” A. Five main words in NT. 1. Verbs. martureo - “to bear witness, testify” and marturomai - “to call to witness” 2. Nouns. martus - “a witness” [Eng. martyr] marturion and marturia - “testimony, evidence” B. These are legal terms. II. The Biblical Words for “Witnessing” & “Testifying.” A. Five main words in NT. 1. Verbs. martureo - “to bear witness, testify” and marturomai - “to call to witness” 2. Nouns. martus - “a witness” [Eng. martyr] marturion and marturia - “testimony, evidence” B. These are legal terms.

3. Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials? III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” A. The Bible emphasizes the value of a witnesses’ testimony. (Deuteronomy 17:6; Matthew 18:16; I Timothy 5:19; Deuteronomy 19:15 cf. John 8:13). III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” A. The Bible emphasizes the value of a witnesses’ testimony. (Deuteronomy 17:6; Matthew 18:16; I Timothy 5:19; Deuteronomy 19:15 cf. John 8:13).

4. Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials? III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” B. The identity of Jesus was dependent upon the valid testimony of witnesses. 1. John the Baptist was a witness for Jesus. (John 1:7,8; 15; 32-34). 2. Jesus works were a witness. (John 5:36). 3. The Father was a witness. (John 5:37). III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” B. The identity of Jesus was dependent upon the valid testimony of witnesses. 1. John the Baptist was a witness for Jesus. (John 1:7,8; 15; 32-34). 2. Jesus works were a witness. (John 5:36). 3. The Father was a witness. (John 5:37).

5. Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials? III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” C. The Witness of the Holy Spirit & the Apostles. 1. The Holy Spirit would be a witness of who Jesus was. (John 15:26). 2. Those who had been with Jesus would be witnesses. (John 15:27; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:22; Acts 2:32; Acts 3:14,15; I Peter 5:1; Acts 22:15; I Corinthians 15:15). III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” C. The Witness of the Holy Spirit & the Apostles. 1. The Holy Spirit would be a witness of who Jesus was. (John 15:26). 2. Those who had been with Jesus would be witnesses. (John 15:27; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:22; Acts 2:32; Acts 3:14,15; I Peter 5:1; Acts 22:15; I Corinthians 15:15).

6. Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials? III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” C. The Witness of the Holy Spirit & the Apostles. 3. The witness of the Apostles was also connected with the Holy Spirit coming upon them. (Acts 1:8; 5:32 cf. Hebrews 2:4). III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” C. The Witness of the Holy Spirit & the Apostles. 3. The witness of the Apostles was also connected with the Holy Spirit coming upon them. (Acts 1:8; 5:32 cf. Hebrews 2:4).

7. Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials? III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” D. The Testimony of Jesus. 1. Bear witness to the truth (Jn 18:37). 2. OT law was called the “Testimony” (Exodus 25:16,21; 32:15; 34:29). 3. The Gospel is the “Witness” or “Testimony” of God in Christ. (Matt 24:14; I Cor. 2:1,2 cf. I Cor. 15:1-4; Rev. 12:17; I John 1:1-4; I John 5:10). III. Biblical Teaching on “Witnessing.” D. The Testimony of Jesus. 1. Bear witness to the truth (Jn 18:37). 2. OT law was called the “Testimony” (Exodus 25:16,21; 32:15; 34:29). 3. The Gospel is the “Witness” or “Testimony” of God in Christ. (Matt 24:14; I Cor. 2:1,2 cf. I Cor. 15:1-4; Rev. 12:17; I John 1:1-4; I John 5:10).

8. Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials? Should personal experience have a bearing upon our testimony of Jesus to others? (II Corinthians 4:5) Doesn’t Paul relate the circumstances of his conversion? (Acts 22 ; Acts 26). Should personal experience have a bearing upon our testimony of Jesus to others? (II Corinthians 4:5) Doesn’t Paul relate the circumstances of his conversion? (Acts 22 ; Acts 26).

9. Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials? What is the difference between this and modern day denominational testimonials? 1. Don’t lead to Biblical plan of salvation -- personal feelings and experience. 2. Don’t claim to bear witness to “the truth” but personal experience with Jesus. 3. The Apostle’s actions were binding examples (Philippians 4:9) our experiences do not provide such examples. What is the difference between this and modern day denominational testimonials? 1. Don’t lead to Biblical plan of salvation -- personal feelings and experience. 2. Don’t claim to bear witness to “the truth” but personal experience with Jesus. 3. The Apostle’s actions were binding examples (Philippians 4:9) our experiences do not provide such examples.

10. The value of experience (II Corinthians 1:4). This isn’t “testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:10,11). The value of experience (II Corinthians 1:4). This isn’t “testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:10,11). Does the Bible Teach Modern Day Witnessing & Testimonials?