Can I get a Witness?
By Pastor David Soto
“He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.”
— John 1:7–8
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
— Acts 1:8
When you hear the word “witness,” your mind might immediately jump to a courtroom setting—someone sitting on a stand, sworn to tell the truth about what they experienced. But in the Christian walk, being a witness isn’t about having a law degree or knowing every answer in the Bible.
In our Summer School: Back To The Basics series, we are stripping away the complexity and getting right to the core of what Jesus calls us to be. The call to be a witness isn’t meant to intimidate us; it’s an invitation to share a life transformed.
So, what actually makes a witness? It comes down to three basic actions.
1. A Witness SEES SOMETHING.
Before you can testify about anything, you have to experience it firsthand. You can’t be an eyewitness to a story you never saw unfold.
In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind. When religious leaders pressed him with complex theological questions to trap him, the man gave one of the most powerful, simple answers in Scripture:
“…One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
— John 9:25
Being a witness starts with your personal encounter with Jesus. It’s tasting and seeing that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). When Christ enters your life, you are a new creation—the old is gone, and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your testimony begins with the simple realization: I experienced His grace, and it changed me.
2. A Witness SAYS SOMETHING.
Once you’ve seen something amazing, keeping it to yourself is almost impossible. Think about your favorite restaurant or a great movie—you naturally want to tell people about it. Sharing what Jesus has done should flow just as naturally.
“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
— Acts 4:20
When Jesus delivered a man in Mark 5, He gave him a direct mission: “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19).
You don’t need a pulpit or a microphone to preach. People around us can’t believe in a God they haven’t heard about (Romans 10:14). Your story of God’s mercy might be the exact message someone near you needs to hear today.
3. A Witness DOES SOMETHING.
Words are powerful, but actions give them credibility. A true witness lives a life that backs up the words they speak.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16
James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). When we live lives marked by kindness, integrity, generosity, and love—especially when it’s hard—people take notice. Peter urges us to live such good lives that even those who doubt God will see our good deeds and glorify Him (1 Peter 2:12).
Our actions aren’t meant to point back to us; they are meant to reflect the Light that saved us.
Talk It Over
Take a moment this week to reflect on these questions individually, with your family, or in your small group:
- What fears or obstacles keep you from sharing your faith?
- Have you ever shared your testimony with someone? What happened?
- Who is one person God has placed on your heart that needs to hear about Jesus?