How to Witness
A Textbook Example from the Bible is found in Acts 8:25-39
25 So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. 26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” 30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: 33 HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH. IN HUMILIIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY; WHO WILL RELATE HIS GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS REMOVED FROM THE EARTH. 34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.
This passage tells the story of Philip leading the Ethiopian to Christ. God gave us a perfect layout on what to look for and how to approach a situation like that.
First off, notice in verse 25 that Philip was doing God’s work while he was called to help the Ethiopian. In verse 26, the angel said, “Get up and go”, not giving any explanation, just saying go. And Philip went. So, let’s not think that just because we are doing something important for God, that there couldn’t possibly be something or somebody more important. I can think of several occasions where Christians got hung up on their godly task.
We, born of the Spirit, need to have the mindset of John 3:8, where it shows us to be flexible to the prompting of God, just like nobody knows where the wind (the Spirit) comes from or where it goes.
Acts 8:27 gives us a description of who the Ethiopian was and why he was on the road.
Acts 8:28 shows us that he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Not a coincidence at all, but I call that divine intervention and preparation by the Holy Spirit. We need to be expecting God’s prep work, which He wants us to do. So, He will surely prepare along the way. Work with Him!
Acts 8:29 Then (not right away, but then) the Spirit said, “Go up to him”. It was in verse 27 that he already saw him, but he first observed and waited.
Acts 8:30 Philip is making himself available by approaching the chariot. As he comes closer, he hears the Ethiopian read. Now he knows what’s going on. Philip starts small talk and asks if he understands. This is so critical; he doesn’t just start talking/preaching —he first finds out the level of knowledge of this person. So many people never realize that good teaching is not just giving information, but giving information where it’s needed! So, again Philip observes.
Acts 8:31 The Ethiopian states his lack of understanding and invites Philip to explain. If we let the Holy Spirit lead, we don’t have to push anything. We look for an opening, and it all will unfold.
Acts 8:32 It shows us that the Ethiopian was reading about Jesus without even knowing that he was reading about his future Savior. Holy Spirit provision at its finest :) I have seen it happen in different ways; the one critical thing is to listen to the person and to the Holy Spirit. I usually, while listening, have a very vivid communication with the Lord in my head. “Lord, now”? “Wait”. “Is this the right moment”? “Not yet”. And then I see it or hear it; so clear, unmistakable. And all falls in place.
Acts 8:33 Prophesy about Jesus
Acts 8:34 is the best. The Ethiopian brings the big invite, saying, “Please tell me.”
Acts 8:35 And now, not in the beginning, but now that Philip found out the need, the door is open for some good preaching.
Acts 8:36 After delivering the Gospel truth, the Ethiopian’s desire is kindled to be baptized. It is on the Ethiopian’s initiative because he truly received the truth wholeheartedly. The saddest confession I heard lately was a person being baptized, just because the pastor was pushing her to do so, even though she was not yet fully committed to believing in Jesus. Wait untill it’s meaningful to the individual, don’t just dunk them. This ritual does not accomplish anything; it just robs the newborn Christian of a precious confession of faith.
Acts 8:37 Ensure that when the baptizand is ready, they are ready for the right reason. I am convinced that each one of us followers can take this step towards the future of a new believer.
Acts 8:38 Don’t worry about getting your feet wet.
Acts 8:39 One would think that Philip would stay for a while, not letting the Ethiopian hang there with his new life, but I guess the Holy Spirit had different plans. It is significant to understand that the true focus must always be on God, not an individual. It is crucial to get support, and a spiritual mentor is a great blessing, but you know what – the Holy Spirit can take care of this also. I guess He did in this case because the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing. I think he was kingdom-bound and rejoicing in the Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17, because he was righteous before the Father, had received the peace of Christ, and traveled with joy in the Holy Spirit.
We don’t always get to come along for the whole journey, but this principle of witnessing is applicable in so many situations. God instructs us well! Don’t worry about what to say! Walk in the Spirit!