Sharing Your Faith
By Sam Nadler
Sharing your faith is part of your living, growing, spiritual relationship in the Lord. Sharing your faith is your relating to people outside of the body of Messiah. Sharing your faith is also known as “witnessing”, “testifying”, or “attesting.” In fact, believers in Yeshua have not only the power but also the same God-given responsibility to let others know the Good News. For Yeshua said in Matthew 10:32-33, “Whoever will confess Me before men, I will also confess that person before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever will deny me before men, I will deny that person before my Father who is in heaven.”
God doesn’t give a believer responsibility without first giving him the power to fulfill that responsibility. The New Covenant teaches that all believers are especially enabled by the Holy Spirit to share the faith as His witnesses.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Acts 1:8 also shows that a witness is who you are, not merely what you do. When someone witnesses a crime, that person is a witness whether they say anything or not. So also, you are His witness as well. There are various ways to share your faith. Let’s consider four of them.
THE PRACTICAL WITNESS: In Matthew 5:15-16, the Messiah taught us to be practical: “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
This speaks of a house testimony, how we are to live in order to earn the right to be heard. The evidence of a changed life is, as witness, all believers are expected and enabled to provide. Thus, this practical witness earns you the right to be heard, and brings glory to your Heavenly Father!
THE PRIVATE WITNESS: Think of someone you could share important personal matters with in private. What can be more important than the Great News of Messiah? (John 1:45). There are many prophecies about Yeshua written by Moses and the Prophets. Take the time to read and familiarize yourself with at least some of these prophesies. Especially focus on Isaiah 52:13-53:12. When you share your faith, remember that you are planting a seed, not the whole tree!
THE PUBLIC WITNESS: There are times when the Lord provides opportunities for believers to publicly proclaim their faith. These are opportunities that are usually reserved for the experienced believers, trained and mature in their faith.
THE PERSUASIVE WITNESS: As it states in 2 Corinthians 5:11, “knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.” What motivates a persuasive witness? “knowing the fear of the Lord.” You should never be a “pushy” witness, but you should be a persuasive witness. Sometimes this is the particular gift of God that the Holy Spirit enables you with.
“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
Though the gift of persuasion may not be given to every believer, one should be prepared to confidently present your faith and “to give an answer for the hope that is within you” (1 Peter 3:15b).
We have developed materials to equip all believers to share their faith with confidence, such as “The Messianic Answer Book” and the “Even You Can Share” booklet. Additionally, we have recorded a ten-session video course entitled “Share Messiah” seminar on our website, which can prove to be a great resource to you or your congregation. It was encouraging to hear from Heather in Montreal, Canada:
Dear Sam,
I watched your teaching in the “Share Messiah” series of videos, and literally the scales fell off my eyes. I’m a fairly new believer, although raised in a gentile home, I knew Jesus was Jewish but never really thought about it. It’s as if we gentiles are given a Nordic, anglicized version of the Jewish Scriptures.
I have to say, you really brought this home to me. My life has changed so much for the better since I became a believer, and it is really thanks to the Jewish people and their Scriptures. Thanks so much for your teaching.
Blessings in Yeshua,
Heather
Remember, the idea is to build relationships through asking questions, having genuine concern for the other person, and by being there for your friend whenever there is a need: Messiah’s love is still the best witness of all (John 13:34-35). Let’s reach out together to all, with the Good News of our Messiah!
