Why Should I Testify?
Before we attempt to answer the question “Why should I testify?”, it’s important to understand what it means to testify.
Merriam Webster defines testifying as “to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief: bear witness”.
Oxford Dictionary’s definition is “to give evidence as a witness in a law court.”
So this means that when you testify, you give evidence or tell of something you witnessed in a court of law; or simply tell about something that you personally believe in.
Now let’s look at it from the Bible. There are about 110 instances of the use of the word “testify”, each having both meanings stated above. We’ll take the book of John for example. In chapter 5 verse 39, in the NKJV version, it says,
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,”
In this chapter, Jesus had just finished healing a lepered man at the pool of Bethesda and the Jews began harassing Him and wanted to kill him because of the unlawful things He was doing on Sabbath. Jesus in His love for them explained that all that He was doing came from the Father.
The miracles he performed were just a show of God’s willingness to bring true life back to humanity. Jesus pointed out that the very Scriptures, which they thought would bring them the life they were looking for, testifies or speaks or tells all about Jesus.
The point of the Scriptures they so diligently studied was to tell of the same Jesus that was standing before them and whom they needed to put their trust in.
We’ll take another reference about testifying in the Bible from Acts 20:24 (NKJV), which is the closest in meaning to what this website is about. It says,
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Paul, the Apostle was speaking to the elders in Ephesus, telling them of his faithful efforts to spread the Gospel of Christ despite impending persecutions from the unbelieving Jews. In this verse, he expressed his resolve to complete the ministry given to him by Jesus – to “testify” to the gospel of God’s grace. The word “testify” here in the Greek translation means to attest, solemnly affirm, or cause it to be believed. Paul’s decided to spend his life attesting to the Gospel or the Good News of God’s loving kindness to all men who needed to hear it.
Well now that we know what testifying means, let’s go back and answer our first question- “Why should I testify?”
Simple. To tell of God’s goodness so that all might believe in Jesus Christ.
With all the suffering and chaos going on in the world today, many people see God as angry, mean, and uncaring. This may be the person they’ve known all their lives. But if you and I know God in a different way through our personal experiences with Him, then they need to hear this from us.
Even if there were only two people to testify to God’s grace, it would be enough to convince one soul. Thus the platform name – 2Testify, having double meaning – “two testify” and “to testify”.
Let me explain the concept of “two testify”. In the Old Testament, God would command that there should be two or three witnesses to testify against anyone who committed offenses. If two people saw the same thing happen, it was enough to make a judgment on the case. If only one person witnessed the crime, it was not sufficient to make a sound judgment since no other person can testify to the offense.
In Matt. 18:19–20, Jesus said that if two should agree concerning anything, it would be done by the Father and where two or three are gathered in His Name, He would be there. There is a power that is available when two or more agree or come together in Jesus’ Name. This is not to say that Jesus would not be there for one person, but when two or more join together to say the same thing concerning the will of God on earth, Jesus is there to witness and establish it.
Now if two people say the same thing about God’s goodness in their stories, it could be enough to convince and turn one heart to God. Imagine if hundreds or thousands say the same thing in sharing their testimonies- it’s more than enough to convince anyone that God is real and He’s GOOD.
If you would like to learn about this goodness, we invite you to browse through the testimonies on this site. It’s our prayer that you come back time and time again and be inspired, encouraged, and reminded by the content.
If you would like to know who God is, we also invite you to begin a relationship with Him. Sincerely ask Him to show you who He is. When you come to Him in sincerity and vulnerability, He will surely answer. One definite way to know Him is through studying the Bible. You can begin with the book of John in the New Testament. And as He begins to reveal Himself to you, and most importantly yourself to you, it’s our prayer that you may put your trust in Jesus Christ, His Son.
Mayah
2Testify Team
