Every Christian knows that preaching the gospel is an important part of the Christian life. The Bible makes this amply clear. Even non-Christians are aware of this fact. Whether or not a Christian does it is another matter, but I'd like to share my thoughts about this term "preaching the gospel" and how the words may influence our understanding of the activity (and possibly explain our hesitations).
When I say "preaching the gospel" I'm sure you understand what I'm referring to. This term, however, has recently become less pleasant to my ears. First of all, the verb of choice is "preach" and nobody likes to be "preached" to. Sounding "preachy" is also not a compliment. Furthermore, the emphasis is on the word "gospel," which is the object that is being preached. "Gospel" is just an Old English word for "good news" or "glad tidings" and it is wonderful! But often times it becomes some mysterious topic that one must master or know every detail about in order to be able to "preach" properly and effectively. How complicated it may become! "If you don't know enough about the gospel then you shouldn't preach it!" This statement is altogether false, but I can guarantee that those who preach the gospel regularly have experienced this thought paralyzing them in some way, shape, or form.
When I say "preaching the gospel" I'm sure you understand what I'm referring to. This term, however, has recently become less pleasant to my ears. First of all, the verb of choice is "preach" and nobody likes to be "preached" to. Sounding "preachy" is also not a compliment. Furthermore, the emphasis is on the word "gospel," which is the object that is being preached. "Gospel" is just an Old English word for "good news" or "glad tidings" and it is wonderful! But often times it becomes some mysterious topic that one must master or know every detail about in order to be able to "preach" properly and effectively. How complicated it may become! "If you don't know enough about the gospel then you shouldn't preach it!" This statement is altogether false, but I can guarantee that those who preach the gospel regularly have experienced this thought paralyzing them in some way, shape, or form.
There is another term that is commonly found in Christian circles that refers to exactly the same thing but has a very different tone and emphasis—that term is "witnessing." This term has its roots in the Apostle Paul's recounting what the Lord Jesus said to him at his conversion:
... I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a minister and a witness both of the things in which you have seen Me and of the things in which I will appear to you;
–Acts 26:16
The connotation that follows the term "witness" is much simpler and more universal. Anyone can be a witness. There are only 2 simple requirements:
1) see something
2) testify or tell others about it.
Isn't this so simple? And more importantly, isn't this what preaching the gospel is supposed to be? Preaching the gospel is not meant to be some unpleasant activity that we forced ourselves to do in order to be good Christians. Genuine gospel preaching comes out of seeing the Lord in a fresh and present way then going to tell others of this wonderful One whom we've seen and experienced. Isn't that the same thing as being a witness?
How would the Apostle Paul describe his ministry? He brought countless men and women to salvation and raised churches wherever he went. His letters to the churches even make up a large portion of the New Testament. But in his writings he makes it clear that everything he did came out of his seeing of Jesus Christ and his sharing with others what he had seen. He was called to be a witness and that's exactly what he was.
For us today, how can we be a proper witness of Jesus Christ? It's quite straightforward.
1) See the Lord freshly everyday
2) Testify or tell others what we've seen and experienced.
If we don't see the Lord freshly everyday then we have nothing to testify. If we don't tell others what we've seen and experienced then the purpose of our seeing isn't fulfilled.
God has appeared to each and every one of us for this purpose, to appoint us as ministers and witnesses both of the things in which we have seen Him and of the things in which He will appear to us. See and testify. Witness.
1) see something
2) testify or tell others about it.
Isn't this so simple? And more importantly, isn't this what preaching the gospel is supposed to be? Preaching the gospel is not meant to be some unpleasant activity that we forced ourselves to do in order to be good Christians. Genuine gospel preaching comes out of seeing the Lord in a fresh and present way then going to tell others of this wonderful One whom we've seen and experienced. Isn't that the same thing as being a witness?
How would the Apostle Paul describe his ministry? He brought countless men and women to salvation and raised churches wherever he went. His letters to the churches even make up a large portion of the New Testament. But in his writings he makes it clear that everything he did came out of his seeing of Jesus Christ and his sharing with others what he had seen. He was called to be a witness and that's exactly what he was.
For us today, how can we be a proper witness of Jesus Christ? It's quite straightforward.
1) See the Lord freshly everyday
2) Testify or tell others what we've seen and experienced.
If we don't see the Lord freshly everyday then we have nothing to testify. If we don't tell others what we've seen and experienced then the purpose of our seeing isn't fulfilled.
God has appeared to each and every one of us for this purpose, to appoint us as ministers and witnesses both of the things in which we have seen Him and of the things in which He will appear to us. See and testify. Witness.