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— by Ronald R. Shea, Th.M., J.D —
 
Topics Touching the Message of Salvation
— The Modern "Testimony" —
Curriculum Outline and Study Guide | Resurrection | Assurance | Baptism | The Bema | Calvinism | The Gospel Message & Content of Saving Faith | The Creator | Dispensationalism | Eternal Security | Evangelism & Discipleship | Expiation, Propitiation and Redemption | Faith | Fruit . .. Don't you need it? | Grace | Hebrews 10 | Hebrews 6:1-15 | Heirship and Rewards | James 2:14-26 | Jesus is God | 1st John | John MacArthur | Justification | Bilateral Contract Salvation or "Lordship Salvation" | The Market Driven Church | Perseverance of the Saints | Predestination and Free Will | Public Confession of Christ | Regeneration | Repentance | Roman Catholicism | Salvation | Sanctification | The Sheep and Goats Judgment | Silly Gospel Substitutes | "Sovereign" (Irresistible) Grace | Stewardship of the Gospel Message | The Modern "Testimony" | The Ten Commandments: Their Relationship to the Believer | Theology and Doctrine | Total Depravity and `The Bondage of the Will` | Worship Music | Appendix I: Church History from a Free Grace perspective
Status of Topics Touching the Message of Salvation
The "Testimony" of Saint Paul
No Room for Narcissism
Biblical Standards For The "Testimony"
The Modern Testimony: Justification by Works
The "Bragamony"
Seeker-friendly testimony No. 1
Seeker Friendly Testimony No. 2
Seeker Friendly Testimony No. 3
Prepare Your Own Testimony

 

 

 

The Modern "Testimony"

 

by

 

Ronald R. Shea, Th.M., J.D.

 

 

 The Testimony of St. Paul

          The modern"testimony" as practiced today has become a cancer on the church.

 

The concept of one's "testimony" is drawn largely from the Book of Acts, in which, in five separate accounts, St. Paul imparts to his hearers knowledge of some aspect of the Christian faith by describing his own religious journey that ended at the foot of Calvary.  These five accounts include:

 

1)     Paul's "testimony" before the multitude (Acts 21:40 through 22:21).

 

2)     Paul's "testimony" before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:1-10).

 

3)     Paul's "testimony" before Felix (Acts 24:10-21).

 

4)     Paul's "testimony" before Festus (Acts 25:10-11  & 19),

 

5)     Paul's "testimony" before Agrippa (Acts 26:1-29).

 

On systematic examination of these five accounts, following elements can be distilled and catalogued:

a)            Paul describes his religious beliefs before coming to faith in Christ, including being a Jew, a Pharisee, and one who hoped in the resurrection (Acts 22:3, Acts 26:4-5, 26:25).

b)            Paul describes his attitude and understanding of Jesus Christ before his conversion to Christianity, in that he was hostile to Christ, and a persecutor of Christians (Acts 22:4-5; Acts 26:9-12).

c)            Paul recounts the events on the Damascus Road that lead to his conversion to faith in Christ (Acts 22:6-16, Acts 26:13-16).

d)            Paul proclaims the atoning death of Jesus Christ (Acts 26:23).

e)            Paul proclaims the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 25:19; 26:8-9; 26:23).

f)              Paul proclaims the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18) and

g)            Paul proclaims his hope of the resurrection through Jesus Christ (Acts 24:14-15, 24:21, 26:23).

h)            Paul tactfully and humbly invites Agrippa to believe (Acts 26:26-29).

 

Nowhere in any of the five times that Paul gave his "testimony" did he ever discuss how "Jesus Christ changed his life."


The "Testimony" of Saint Paul

 
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