Role of Extrabiblical Examples in Evangelism and Witness
The concept of "witness" in Christian evangelism extends beyond direct biblical proclamation to include extrabiblical examples, which serve to demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel. While the Bible itself provides the foundational message, the lives and experiences of believers offer tangible proof of its efficacy [5].
The New Testament emphasizes the role of witnesses in authenticating the Christian message. Jesus himself is called "the faithful witness" [8], who faithfully revealed the Father's will and confirmed his teachings with miracles [6, 8]. The apostles were chosen specifically to be eyewitnesses of Christ's resurrection, having eaten and drunk with him, thereby attesting to his victory over death [2]. This direct, personal testimony formed the core of their early evangelistic efforts [2]. Paul, though not one of the original twelve, also became a powerful preacher and teacher in Jesus' name, carrying on this tradition of witness [2].
Beyond the initial apostolic witness, the broader Christian tradition recognizes the ongoing role of believers as witnesses. The book of Revelation speaks of "two witnesses" who prophesy and denounce judgment against apostasy, described symbolically as "the two olive trees" and "the two candlesticks" [7]. While some ancient interpretations identified these as Enoch and Elijah, and others as the Old and New Testaments, the general understanding is that they represent faithful individuals or groups who attest to God's truth [4]. Even in times of persecution, God reserves faithful witnesses who uphold the truth of his word and worship [1]. Their testimony, though sometimes small in number, is considered sufficient [1].
Extrabiblical examples in evangelism often manifest as personal testimonies, demonstrating how the Gospel has impacted individuals' lives. The apostle Paul, for instance, implicitly contrasts his own genuine apostleship with that of false teachers, suggesting that his life and ministry provided a superior witness [3]. The practical outworking of faith, such as the generosity of Gentile churches ministering to the poor saints in Jerusalem, led to the glorification of God as recipients gave thanks for the grace they experienced. This act served as a "proof" or "experiment" of their professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ [5]. Such examples illustrate that the impact of the Gospel is not merely theoretical but produces tangible results in the lives of believers and their communities.
Therefore, while the biblical text remains the primary source of Christian truth, extrabiblical examples—such as personal testimonies, acts of service, and the lived experience of faith—serve as powerful corroborations. They provide concrete demonstrations of the Gospel's transformative power, making the abstract message relatable and evident in the world [5].
Sources
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 11:3: In this time of treading down, God has reserved to himself his faithful witnesses, who will not fail to attest the truth of his word and worship, and the excellency of his ways. Here observe, I. The number of these witnesses: it is but a small number and yet it is sufficient. 1. It is but small. Many will own and acknowledge Christ in times of prosperity who will desert and deny him in times of persecution; one witness, when the cause is upon trial, is worth many at other times. 2. It is a sufficient number; for in the mouth of two witnesses every cause shall ”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 10:36: 10:36-43 Peter repeatedly underscores the importance of the apostolic witnesses to the message of Good News. The apostles ate and drank with Jesus (see Luke 24:41-43) and were eyewitnesses of his resurrection, so they could attest that he had conquered death (see Acts 3:15; 4:33; 13:30-31). The original apostles were chosen in advance to be his witnesses (see 1:12-26); gradually, others such as Paul and Barnabas carried on this powerful preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus Christ (9:15; 14:1-3; 26:16).”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 11:5: For--My claim is superior to that of the false teachers, "For," &c. I suppose--I reckon [ALFORD]. I was not--Greek, "That I have not been, and am not." the very chiefest apostles--James, Peter, and John, the witnesses of Christ's transfiguration and agony in Gethsemane. Rather, "those overmuch apostles," those surpassers of the apostles in their own esteem. This sense is proved by the fact that the context contains no comparison between him and the apostles, but only between him and the false teachers; Co2 11:6 also alludes to these, and n”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 11:3: And I will give power unto my two witnesses,.... By whom are meant, not Enoch and Elias, as some of the ancient fathers thought, who, they supposed, would come before the appearance of Christ, and oppose antichrist, and be slain by him, which sense the Papists greedily catch at; nor are the Scriptures, the two Testaments, Old and New, designed, though their name and number agree, and also their office, which is to testify of Christ; but then to be clothed in sackcloth, to be killed, and rise again, and ascend to heaven, are things that cannot so well be accommodat”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:36: I have greater witness--rather, "The witness which I have is greater." the works . . . bear witness of me--not simply as miracles nor even as a miracle of mercy, but these miracles, as He did them, with a will and a power, a majesty and a grace manifestly His own.”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 11:3: I will give power--There is no "power" in the Greek, so that "give" must mean "give commission," or some such word. my two witnesses--Greek, "the two witnesses of me." The article implies that the two were well known at least to John. prophesy--preach under the inspiration of the Spirit, denouncing judgments against the apostate. They are described by symbol as "the two olive trees" and "the two candlesticks," or lamp-stands, "standing before the God of the earth." The reference is to Zac 4:3, Zac 4:12, where two individuals are meant, Joshua a”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 1:5: the faithful witness--of the truth concerning Himself and His mission as Prophet, Priest, and King Saviour. "He was the faithful witness, because all things that He heard of the Father He faithfully made known to His disciples. Also, because He taught the way of God in truth, and cared not for man, nor regarded the persons of men. Also, because the truth which He taught in words He confirmed by miracles. Also, because the testimony to Himself on the part of the Father He denied not even in death. Lastly, because He will give true testimony of the wo”