Using Personal Testimonies to Point People to the Cross

The Biblical Basis for Personal Testimonies

The concept of using personal testimonies to point people to the cross is rooted in biblical teachings. In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles emphasize the importance of witnessing to others about their experiences with God ^[2]. For instance, Jesus sends out prophets, wise men, and scribes to spread the message, despite the risks involved (Matthew 23:34) ^[2]. The apostle Peter, who was a witness to Christ's suffering, encourages church leaders to be mindful of their responsibility to guide others (1 Peter 5:1) ^[1].

The biblical principle of testimony is not limited to the apostles; it is a broader concept that applies to all believers. The law requires multiple witnesses to establish a matter (2 Corinthians 13:1) ^[3]. In the Old Testament, tangible memorials or significant ceremonies served as evidence of transactions or covenants, such as Abraham's gift of ewe-lambs to Abimelech (Genesis 21:30; Smith's Bible Dictionary) ^[4].

The Significance of Personal Testimony in Christian Tradition

Christian tradition has long recognized the value of personal testimony in sharing the message of salvation. The early church fathers, such as Augustine, emphasized the importance of confessing Christ and bearing witness to one's faith (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8) ^[7]. In the Protestant Reformation, the concept of testimony was closely tied to the idea of confessing Christ, as seen in the writings of the Reformers and their successors (Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ) ^[5].

The cross, as a symbol of Christ's sacrifice, is central to the Christian message. The New Testament writers frequently refer to the cross as a key aspect of their testimony (Easton's Bible Dictionary: Cross) ^[6]. For example, the apostle Paul writes about the importance of being willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, just as Christ suffered on the cross (2 Timothy 1:8; Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 1:8) ^[8].

The Role of Personal Testimony in Pointing Others to the Cross

Personal testimonies serve as a powerful means of pointing others to the cross. By sharing their experiences of God's grace and redemption, believers can bear witness to the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. The apostle Paul's own testimony is a prime example, as he recounts his conversion and calling to spread the Gospel (Acts 22:1-21; 26:1-23). The early Christian martyrs also bore witness to their faith, even in the face of persecution and death (John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians) ^[9].

The Methodist and Wesleyan traditions, in particular, have emphasized the importance of personal testimony and experience in the Christian life (Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 1:8) ^[8]. According to this perspective, personal testimonies can be a vital means of sharing the message of salvation and pointing others to the cross.

Conclusion

The use of personal testimonies to point people to the cross is a biblical concept that has been emphasized throughout Christian tradition. By sharing their experiences of God's grace and redemption, believers can bear witness to the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. As the apostle Peter wrote, "I who am myself one of the rulers of the church, and a witness of the death of Christ, having my part in the coming glory, send this serious request to the chief men among you" (1 Peter 5:1) ^[1]. This call to bear witness to Christ's sacrifice remains a central aspect of Christian discipleship and evangelism.

Sources

I Peter “I Peter 5:1 (BBE) — I who am myself one of the rulers of the church, and a witness of the death of Christ, having my part in the coming glory, send this serious request to the chief men among you:”
Matthew “Matthew 23:34 (BBE) — For this reason, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them you will put to death and put on the cross, and to some of them you will give blows in your Synagogues, driving them from town to town;”
II Corinthians “II Corinthians 13:1 (BSB) — This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.””
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Witness — Among people with whom writing is not common the evidence of a transaction is given by some tangible memorial or significant ceremony: Abraham gave seven ewe-lambs to Abimelech as an evidence of his property in the well of Beersheba. Jacob raised a heap of stones, "the heap of witness." as a boundary-mark between himself and Laban. (Genesis 21:30; 31:47,52) The tribes of Reuben and Gad raised an "altar" as a witness to the covenant between themselves and the rest of the nation. Joshua set up a stone as an evidence of the allegiance promised by Israel to God.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Cross — In the New Testament the instrument of crucifixion, and hence used for the crucifixion of Christ itself (Eph. 2:16; Heb. 12:2; 1 Cor. 1:17, 18; Gal. 5:11; 6:12, 14; Phil. 3:18). The word is also used to denote any severe affliction or trial (Matt. 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21). The forms in which the cross is represented are these: 1. The crux simplex (I), a "single piece without transom." 2. The crux decussata (X), or St. Andrew's cross. 3. The crux commissa (T), or St. Anthony's cross. 4. The crux immissa (t), or Latin cross, which was the kind of cross o”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 1:8: Be not - ashamed of the testimony - The testimony of Christ is the Gospel in general, which proclaims Christ crucified, and redemption through his blood. In the sight of the world, there appeared to be reason why a man should be ashamed of this; ashamed of him who was crucified as a malefactor; but, when this Gospel became the power of God to the salvation of every one that believed, it was a subject to exult in. Hence the apostle, Rom 1:16 (note), said, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Nor of me his prisoner - When our friends are in power and credit, we”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily II. 2 Timothy i. 8–10 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ.” There is nothing worse than that man should measure and judge of divine things”

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