Most believers probably are familiar with Paul’s statement to the Corinthian church about the centrality of preaching to the saving of souls.  “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (I Cor. 1:21).   Because we know and believe those words, we may allow them unduly or incorrectly to color our approach to personal witnessing.  We might be tempted to believe that we must have a preacher-like knowledge of the Bible and a sermon-like structure to our witnessing in order to be effective.  And while it is true that no one can be saved apart from a clear declaration of the gospel resulting in a clear understanding of the truth, there is a significant difference between preaching the gospel and witnessing to the gospel.  Multiple examples taken from the Word of God would suggest that God neither expects nor apparently desires a sermon-like delivery when we give personal witness to the saving grace of God.  Clearly, we must cite the Word of God, but again and again, the pattern we find demonstrated in the Word emphasizes personal testimony, i.e., what the Lord did for me, what I experienced in salvation.

John’s example.  Though not a one-on-one witnessing experience, neither is John’s Gospel a sermon.  John is careful to recount, right at the beginning, the basis upon which he will present the truth that he writes in his Gospel:  “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (1:14).  In effect, John says, “I’m recording what I myself saw, what my personal experience with the Christ was.”  His first epistle is even more explicit and emphatic:  “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also” (1:1-3a).

Peter’s example.  In similar fashion, Peter resorts to personal experience when testifying about the Lord Jesus Christ.  “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased’—and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” (II Pet. 1:16-18).  Not knowing initially what to do or say to the Gentile Cornelius, Peter gives more of a personal testimony than a formal sermon, during which he testifies about his personal experience with Christ:  “we are witnesses of all the things He did” (Acts 10:39a).

Paul’s example.  None of the apostles employed personal testimony more than the Apostle Paul.   After his beating in the temple and arrest by Roman soldiers, Paul asked their commander for permission to speak to the Jews.  Rather than preaching from the Word of God, Paul recounted before them the circumstances of his own salvation on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:1-21).  And when brought before King Agrippa, once again Paul resorted to personal testimony, testifying of his multiple sins and of the Lord’s halting and saving him as he was going to Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 26:1-26).  And though not witnessing for the sake of the salvation of Timothy, Paul resorted to personal testimony regarding his salvation when encouraging the younger man to stand against error.  “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor.  Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.  It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all” (I Tim. 1:12-15).

When we consider that the apostles could and did preach effectively, yet frequently returned to personal testimonies when speaking of salvation, we should realize that if this method was good enough for the apostles, it should suffice for us.  That is not to say that the Bible endorses ignorance.  It is not a virtue to be ignorant of what the Bible teaches regarding the doctrine of salvation, nor would it be wise to suggest that a personal testimony be void of scriptural references.  But it should be an encouragement and an exhortation to us that the method employed by the apostles in witnessing is one that is accessible to the youngest and weakest of saints.  There is a children’s chorus, I believe, that contains the words, “Let me tell you what the Lord has done for me.”  If the Lord has saved us, we have something about which to witness.  The Lord will surely bless those who desire to praise Him for His saving work in their lives.