What is Christian Testimony
The internet has many definitions and guides about Christian testimony. But basically, Christian testimony is telling someone about your faith and relationship with Jesus. This includes the difference in your life before and after accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Think about it as your love story with Jesus: how you two met, how you started your relationship, how did your relationship developed, and your intentions to build-up your relationship more.
Our journey with God is our testimony and this includes how we live our lives. People who know you will see the transformation that the Holy Spirit has done in your life. As you strive to be transformed and bear the fruits of the spirit emulated in your life, others will be blessed by just hearing or reading your testimony. This can start curiosity or hunger in them to experience the same joy that you have.
Our testimonies could vary from heart-touching stories, turn-overs, corrections, learning, or small daily changes in our life. It is our answered prayers, yearnings, struggles, testing’s or rescues from God. Sometimes, our testimonies come at a later time, when we reflect in our life and see the goodness of the Lord.
Testimony in the Bible (Saint Paul)
Acts 26 (New International Version)
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”
So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,[a] ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Compelling Testimony
Sharing your testimony is evangelical itself. Apostle Paul said “I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am” – a follower of Jesus Christ.
When I started following Jesus Christ, I was encouraged to become an active part of the body of Christ. However, I do not know how to participate in any of the ministries at my church since I was a relatively young Christian. Our pastors taught us that our service to God can be done in different ways such as through tithing and offering, welcoming others as they enter the church, cleaning after service, and sharing testimonies. These are very simple ways that I can easily do, except for sharing my testimony. I feel like my stories are bland compared to those I have heard before in the church. But later on, I realized that powerful testimonies are not only based on the content but how it was delivered.
Elements of a compelling testimony:
- Convincing Story: A convincing story is delivered with accuracy and self-confidence. Note down the most important points of your story and deliver it straightforward. Be as honest as possible and do not be afraid to be vulnerable. Feelings and weaknesses are what many of us can relate to. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”. So be confident that your story will resonate with others as long as your priority is to exalt our Creator.
- Clear Testimony: A wise witness uses simple, non-technical language, and avoids confusing the main points of the story. Plan your key points carefully that it should point to each other logically. The finale should be the strongest and most conclusive. This is the part where we bring out our highest appreciation and praise to our King.