Acts 22:1-30 AN EXAMPLE OF WITNESSING
In the lives of those who are saved by God's grace, we will get opportunities to testify as to what God has done for us and what it means to be a child of God. Paul's testimony before the unruly mob of the Jews in Jerusalem gives us a guide as to how we best can do this. There are at least four reasons people will listen when we speak to them about our faith in Christ. God Himself is involved and gives us words that suit the time, place and people who are there. We may not have opportunity to prepare some kind of order to follow, but the Holy Spirit gives us the understanding and appropriate words to say. Paul was not in front of that great antagonistic multitude to defend himself. He was defending his ministry and was defending the ways of God when He works in and through His servants.
Secondly, the way Paul spoke was important. He had spoken in the Greek language to the chief captain, and now speaks in Aramaic, the Hebrew dialect that was commonly used by the Jewish people. When people hear one speak like he is one of their own, they have a tendency to identify themselves with the one speaking. The message we have to tell people never changes, but the way we present it should suit those to whom we were speaking. It is only proper for the speaker to adapt to the situation he is in rather than to try to make them come under his own frame of reference. The speaker is the one trying to reach the listeners, so it is up to him to cross any barriers between them as best he can. People who hear one speak can quickly discern whether there is love and genuine concern, or whether there is insincerity and a patronizing attitude on the part of the speaker.
Thirdly, it is not hard for people to recognize the ring of truth from the tone of voice of one speaking. Facial expressions and body language tell the audience if you are really interested in them or not. When one is telling the truth there is a conviction that cannot be just practiced, but it comes from the urgency with which one is speaking. My convictions about my personal faith in Christ comes through when I confront people with the message of the Gospel and what it means to me. A very high percentage of communication is done without words. Haggai spoke about being "the Lord's message in the Lord's message," and that cannot be faked. It is a real principle of communication that what I speak to others, must have spoken to me first.
Another reason why people will listen to one speak, is if the speaker senses this may be the last time, or the only time, these people will hear the Gospel. A farewell speech commands attention. There is a sense of urgency, when one looks at people, he knows he will never see again. With all that he has in him, and all the Spirit of God gives him, he seeks to go beyond himself and where he stands, into the places and persons before him. When there is an urgency in the speakers, the hearers can sense that themselves and often feel that person is speaking personally to them. In a farewell address there is a finality to it that has a special ring of compassion. It is not only the words that are important, but the fact that these are the last words I will hear from him. Last words are spoken with thoughtfulness and conviction. We need to consider that each time we speak some are perhaps hearing the message from God for the last time.
As Paul spoke to that audience from the steps of that building, right from the first words he said he identified himself with that particular group of people. Not only the dialect with which he spoke connected them, but the fact that he was one of them as "men and brethren" and was speaking respectfully to the position of the "fathers" of the Jewish people. He was not taking a high position as a Roman-Jew and standing aloof from them, but communicated in the first sentence his association with them. His sincerity was real as he began the recounting of God's ways with him. He spoke of who he was and gave a brief account of his past. As a Jew living in a Roman city. he knew what it was like to have been looked down on. As a student of Gamaliel in Jerusalem, he knew what it was like to be looked up to. As a devout adherent of Judaism, he knew what it was like to be a persecutor of Christians of "The Way." There were those in the audience who could testify to that fact because he had been a well-known leader among them.
Another principle in giving his testimony that Paul used was his conciliatory attitude toward them. He commended what he could justly commend. He was calm and collected in his thoughts and delivery. He kept the audience calm by being calm himself. He also used terms that communicated effectively what he wanted to say. There was no reason to provoke them unnecessarily and he avoided using words and phrases they did not know. Christians have a phraseology they use that is unknown to most people. And some terminology doesn't resonate at all with people because they don't know what it means. Other things need to be high-lighted and spoken of in a frame of reference that people do know and can easily understand. The Jews would have easily understood phrases like, "saw a light," and "heard a voice." That went along with the historical context in which they communicated. Now Paul was getting to the point of his testimony. It is right to briefly state what I was before God saved me. Then I need to come to the place where I tell plainly how God saved me.
Paul became very precise and clear as to what happened, where it happened and how it happened when God saved him. God had stopped him on the road to Damascus about noon. God had chosen to speak to him. He was acting in obedience to God when he was saved. It was God's choice to reach him. God's command to him came through the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must be sure when witnessing that people actually hear and understand our words. Major on the facts of the message that keeps the interest of the audience. Paul used the actual words that were spoken. When verses of scripture bring light to our soul, quote them carefully and distinctly.
When Paul told of Ananias who lived in Damascus, he pointed out the fact that he was "a devout man according to the law." That would have been of real interest to the audience as now Paul was affirming the fact of his own testimony by bringing to their attention one who was of good report by the Jews who lived in Damascus. The testimony of others to what God has done for me adds a lot of weight to my words of testimony. It is important that what Ananias knew, supported what Paul did. He would "know His will," so he had behind him the authority of Christ. He would "see the Just One," so he had apostolic authority. And he would "hear the voice of His mouth," so what Paul said was directly taught to him by the Lord Jesus.
In the conclusion of his testimony, Paul brought it right to the present time when his loyalty to God was proven right in Jerusalem in a previous journey to the city when he had a personal experience of God's guidance in the temple. At that time God had told him to leave Jerusalem quickly. As he told of this experience he spoke of Stephen's martyrdom. Paul was not trying to avoid martyrdom but martyrdom has no value when it is avoidable. When Paul testified that God had instructed him to go to the Gentiles, the listeners prejudice overcame their knowledge of the word of God and the riot began again. Paul used what authority was at his disposal as a free-born Roman citizen to avoid unnecessary abuse. He was not out of the mind of God by claiming what was his right.
The compromise of the leaders of Jerusalem assembly blurred the distinction between Judaism and Christianity. Separation is necessary even when it brings persecution, because with it is power and influence with God and men when the difference between right and wrong can be easily seen. When a line has to be drawn, there is a way to do it with courtesy and grace that is very distinct from the anger and resentment that those in opposition to God's will displays. We need to remember that toleration of evil and accommodation to evil, is treachery. That kind of peace paralyses the people of God and stops the promotion of the work of God. Communion and fellowship by compromise destroys any influence for God we might have. When there is consecration to Christ because of biblical convictions we can trust Him to use us to bring glory to God in whatever circumstances in which we are found.
When we are in the spotlight of men, we need to be conscious of the presence of God. It is in times like that we are tested, and need to be acquainted with His word. Those who listen askance will be seeking to find some challengeable flaws. It is up to us by the Spirit within, to carefully and clearly define our cause.
What I know and have learned by experience cannot be discounted nor denied. When speaking for God in the public, inconsistencies I cannot hide. So, speak the truth with grace, and tell in plain words what God did for you. The Holy Spirit at such times can guide us even though our words may be few.
Tell what you know first-hand, make an effort the barriers to cross. Make people to understand through your life what matters to you the most. Conviction and compassion have ways of coming across to hearers without words. The tone of voice and attitude shows whether the words are yours or the Lord's.
The impact of a testimony given may never been known at the time. The testimony you give is uniquely yours, and mine is uniquely mine. Don't copy the story of another, but Paul's story is a template to use. Tell briefly what happened at the first, and then show how God did you choose.
Changes that follow conversion are important points to pass along. That way people know why you are different, and why you have a new song. The new course in life you now follow, is explained by what you may say. By your testimony for Christ they can learn why you now live a different way.
"I thank Thee, Father, for giving these written testimonies in Thy word so we can learn how to pass on to others the reason of the hope that is in us. I know what I do is important as long as it is consistent with what I say. Help me to be easily understood when I speak and help me to honor Thee in words and deeds. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."