What is a Christian Testimony?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

A Christian testimony usually refers to the account of how a person encountered the God of the Bible, understood sin and salvation, and made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. The word "testimony" is used as it is in a court of law. That is, the true account of a person's experience or observation. Throughout the New Testament, there are accounts of people who experienced the amazing work of Jesus in their lives. Some people who shared about their experiences include the woman at the well who had Jesus reveal Himself to her as the Christ (John 4:7–29, 39) and a blind man whose sight was restored (John 9:1–38). In Acts 1:8, Jesus is recorded saying to His followers to be His witnesses to “Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Today, we should follow this example and seek to spread the gospel beyond just those who are close to us relationally or proximally. In Acts 22:1–21, Paul does what many Christians are afraid to do. He boldly shares his testimony of what his past was like as well as how God miraculously turned his life around and transformed him. We should follow Paul’s example and not be ashamed of the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8) or of what God has personally done in our lives. Rather, we should let our testimonies reveal the work God has done and continues to do in our lives and let it serve as an encouragement to us and to others.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Christian testimonies are not specifically discussed in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In John 4:7–29, Jesus has a conversation with a Samaritan woman in which He speaks of her past and reveals that He is the Christ. The woman then boldly shares her experience with those in her town, resulting in many Samaritans believing in Jesus Christ: “Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman 's testimony, ‘He told me all that I ever did’”(John 4:39).
• In John 9:1–38, we learn of a blind man who is healed by Jesus and then shares his miraculous testimony over and over again with Jewish religious leaders, who challenge him and even verbally abuse him. In John 9:35, Jesus finds the man again, and he believes in Jesus as the Christ.
• In Acts 1:8, Jesus said to His followers: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." God is at work in our lives to help us share the gospel, and sharing our testimonies is a powerful way to do this.
• In Acts 22:1–21, Paul shares his Christian testimony. Like many who share their testimony today, Paul does not gloss over the wrongs he did before becoming a Christian. His courage to share about his past made his conversion experience an especially impactful testimony of God’s mercy and grace. We, too, should be bold and share our testimonies to others—explaining how God has completely transformed us.
• We should not be ashamed of “the testimony about our Lord”—the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

A Christian testimony includes the good news, or gospel, of Jesus Christ—explaining how Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to die sinless and rise from the dead in power over death. Sharing your testimony and how God saved you is an important way to reflect on and share the work God has done in your life. It’s not about being perfect or knowing every answer; it’s about being honest and transparent about your journey with God. When you share your story, focus on the transformation that Jesus has brought about in your life—how He revealed Himself to you, how you came to understand your need for salvation, and how your life has changed since accepting Him as your Savior. Just as the woman at the well and the blind man boldly shared their testimonies, you can encourage others by speaking of God’s mercy and grace in your life. Don’t be afraid to share the struggles you’ve faced or the ways God continues to work in your heart. Your testimony doesn’t just highlight your past; it reflects the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in your life, serving as a powerful reminder that God is always at work, transforming and renewing us each day.

UNDERSTAND

• A Christian testimony shares how a person came to know God, understand salvation, and accept Jesus as Savior.
• A Christian testimony shares not only the gospel and a person's salvation story, but it also reflects the continuous work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.
• Our testimonies encourage us in the work God has done in our lives, and they also encourage others.

REFLECT

• How have you seen the Holy Spirit continue to transform your life since your salvation?
• How has sharing your testimony encouraged your own faith and the faith of others?
• Are there any parts of your testimony that you find difficult to share? Why?

ENGAGE

• How can we create safe spaces for people to share their testimonies without fear of judgment?
• What role does the Holy Spirit play in the boldness and power behind our testimonies?
• How can we use our testimonies to share the gospel with those who may not yet know Christ, just as the woman at the well did?