<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE PERVERTED GOSPEL" Its Witness INTRODUCTION 1. In another study, we examined the message of "The Perverted Gospel"... a. A popular presentation of the gospel that begins with truth b. Yet in telling the sinner what to do to receive Christ, perverts (turns around) the gospel c. Calling for the sinner to respond with "the sinner's prayer" instead of repentance and baptism 2. Another concern is the evidence that often accompanies "The Perverted Gospel"... a. Not only have many changed the content of the gospel as to how to receive Christ b. They also changed the type of evidence used to prove the gospel to be true! [In this study, we shall consider the evidence or witness often presented along with "The Perverted Gospel", and its potentially dangerous consequences...] I. THE EVIDENCE FOR "THE PERVERTED GOSPEL" A. COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "WITNESSING"... 1. E.g., after explaining how one receives Christ, one is encouraged to do so by telling them of other people's experiences in "accepting Christ" a. This sharing of experiences of others' conversion is called "witnessing" b. It is used to convince one of the power of the gospel to transform lives 2. New converts are often encouraged to quickly develop their own "witness" a. I.e., a testimony proclaiming how their lives were changed b. E.g., their testimony or "witness" might describe: 1) Their actions and attitudes before they "accepted Christ" 2) Circumstances that surrounded their "conversion" 3) Changes that took place in life after "receiving Christ" -- The more remarkable one's story (witness), the better B. THE JUSTIFICATION OFFERED FOR SUCH "WITNESSING"... 1. The New Testament speaks of people being witnesses a. E.g., "you shall be witnesses to Me" - Ac 1:8 b. This passage taken to mean that all Christians were to "witness" for Christ 2. Yet one should consider these questions: a. Are the "witnesses" in this passages referring to all Christians, or a select few? b. What were they to bear witness to? Their own conversion, or something else? -- Does this passage imply that all Christians to be "witnesses"? [To help answer this question, let's take a moment and examine...] II. WITNESSING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT A. WHO WERE TO BE WITNESSES FOR CHRIST...? 1. The context of Ac 1:8 reveals it was the apostles - Ac 1:1-11 a. They are specifically mentioned in verse 2 b. Note the pronouns used throughout the text (to whom, them, they, you) c. They were "Men of Galilee" (i.e., not all the disciples, from other regions as well) 2. To be such a witness required very specific qualifications - cf. Ac 1:21-16 a. One had to have been with the apostles b. From the time of Jesus' baptism until His ascension to heaven c. Because of what they were to bear witness -- With one exception (Antipas, Re 2:13) the term "witness" was restricted to the apostles, who could bear witness because they had been with Christ - cf. Jn 15:27) B. WHAT WAS THEIR WITNESS FOR CHRIST...? 1. They bore witness to Jesus' resurrection - cf. Ac 1:22; 2:32; 3:15; 5:30-32; 13:30-31 2. They also bore witness to His life - Ac 10:38-42 3. The apostle Paul was a special witness - Ac 22:14-15; 26:16,22 -- The focal point of the apostolic witness related to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead! [One may wonder what difference any of this makes. Does it matter, along as Jesus is glorified...?] III. APPRECIATING THE DISTINCTION A. BETWEEN THE CONTENT OF THE WITNESS... 1. The perverted witness: provides testimony involving one's own conversion a. Personal testimony that describes the change in one's life b. The more dramatic, the better 1) Very prone to exaggeration, even fabrication 2) Especially if one can "sell" their testimony through appearances, videos, books 2. The apostolic witness: provides testimony concerning the resurrection of Jesus a. Eyewitness accounts based on empirical evidence - e.g., 1Jn 1:1-2; Ac 10:40-41 b. Evidence confirmed by: 1) The number of witnesses 2) The credibility of the witnesses (their life, teachings, sufferings, even death) -- The former is very subjective evidence, the latter provides objective evidence B. BETWEEN THE PURPOSE OF THE WITNESS... 1. The perverted witness: to have you place your faith in Jesus on the basis of their conversion experience and manner of life 2. The apostolic witness: to have you place your faith in Jesus on the basis of historical facts that Jesus was raised from the dead and thereby declared to be the Son of God -- The former produces faith based on emotional appeals, the latter produces faith based on historical evidence C. BETWEEN THE STRENGTH OF THE WITNESS... 1. The perverted witness: what if those upon whose testimony we came to believe later disappoint us? a. Whose "conversion" proves to be less than real or short-term? b. Will not our faith be shaken? 2. The apostolic witness: their testimony forever remains unchanged a. Sealed by their manner of life, their exemplary teachings, their own blood b. Faith based on their testimony is more durable -- The former leaves one open to great disappointment, the latter provides the foundation for a long life of strong faith in Christ CONCLUSION 1. Jesus acknowledged people would come to believe in Him through the words of His apostles... a. As He mentioned in His prayer - cf. Jn 17:20 b. Therefore He equipped them with infallible proofs and the power of the Spirit - Ac 1:2-3,8 2. As impressive as many modern day testimonies may sound... a. Beware of those who may be improperly motivated to "enhance" their story b. Realize that remarkable transformations take place in many different religions Place your faith in the witness Christ Himself has given to you and all: the testimony of His specially chosen witnesses, the apostles! Have you heeded what they proclaimed...? - cf. Ac 2:36-39<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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