SHOULD ALL CHRISTIANS TALK OPENLY ABOUT JESUS?
A patient of mine was the church warden in a local village church. After the medical issues had been dealt with I asked her how the church was going.
“It’s not easy. We are getting smaller and older.”
“Oh dear,” I replied. “But tell me, do people in the church talk about the Lord Jesus with others in the village?
“Good gracious me, no! We don’t even talk about him amongst ourselves.”
It was partly the outspokenness of opponents of the Christian faith that finally turned this country away from a common Christian belief. When Charles Darwin was a theological student at Cambridge with a view to ordination, an anti-Christian missionary, Robert Taylor visited the university. He sent a printed challenge to the Vice Chancellor, leading doctors of divinity, heads of all colleges and the Reverend Charles Simeon, the leading preacher in the city to “most respectfully and earnestly invite discussion on the merits of the Christian religion which they argumentatively challenge, in the confidence of their competence to prove that such a person as Jesus Christ, alleged to have been of Nazareth, never existed and that the Christian religion had no such origin as has been pretended, neither is it beneficial to mankind, but that it is nothing more than an emanation from the ancient Pagan religion.”
Such outspokenness by the enemies of the gospel undermined the faith of many. There are today many voices both from outside and inside the church that continue to denounce the gospel and draw people away from Christ.
To redress this balance, in which the “No’s” are now in a great preponderance, needs all those who acknowledge Jesus to rethink what should be done. Is the answer just better use of the media or better training of the professional clergy? It seems more likely that the problem is primarily with us, the ordinary Christians.
There is an increasing embarrassment experienced by many in our mainline churches with regard to evangelism. Selfless lifestyles are admired but talk about Jesus and the gospel is held by many to be counter-productive. It is pointed out that sometimes those who tell others about the Christian faith, upset their listeners and this can even lead to animosity. They say that Christians should rely on the quality of their lives to evangelize and less on talk. If people admire the lifestyle they will then ask “what makes the difference?” Unfortunately not many of us are approached in this manner regularly enough, for many to turn to Christ in this way.
JESUS’ CONCERN
If Jesus had just limited himself to living a moral life and had he not talked so controversially and challengingly, he would not have upset officialdom so much that it led to his being crucified. It was his supposed blasphemy by claiming to be equal to and to come directly from God that lead to his condemnation. Persecution mainly follows talk - not just actions.
He certainly knew that “talk” produced opposition yet he still commissioned his disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” However teaching that the only way to God is through Jesus and that only a few will eventually be saved is certainly a recipe for persecution. Isn’t this why Jesus warned that his followers will be hated? (John 15 v.18-27) It won’t be their moral lifestyle that will cause this. Christians are meant to present a challenging proposition to those around that demands obedience. In their pluralistic society, as in ours, such exclusive demands are threatening. Yet Jesus still finished this section with “And you also must testify.”
One reason for this insistence that Christians talk openly to others about the gospel is to prevent them going astray.
“You also must testify . . . . All this I have told you so that you will not go astray.” ( John 16 v. 1 )
It is common experience in churches that those who do not “go public” in their commitment to Jesus and openly testify to him, at work and in the home, are the ones most likely to drift from their commitment to him.
Jesus spent the last three years of his life telling others about the ‘Kingdom of God’. He saw himself as God’s messenger and expected his followers to continue this work of their master.
“I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:16
Just before he was arrested and crucified, Jesus prayed a remarkable prayer that is recorded in John chapter 17. He recognized that his Father had given him the responsibility of teaching others the word of God.
“You gave them to me and they obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.” John 17:7-8
The conclusion leaves no doubt as to what Jesus wants. The responsibility to pass on God’s word has been delivered to his followers.
“I have given them your word and the world has hated them.” John 17:14
Jesus keeps emphasizing that the role of the church is to pass on ‘the word’ that they have been given to other people.
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18
We cannot excuse ourselves from this responsibility by saying that this prayer was only referring to the apostles. No - the next verses clearly teach that Jesus remains involved in the work of subsequent generations and is praying for us as we fulfil his task.
“My prayer is not for them (his disciples) alone. I pray also for those who believe in me through their message . . .” John 17:20
He is praying that the world may believe through us. The passing on of this message is the prime task of the church.
In recent years there has been much talk about inter-church unity and ecumenism and this section is often quoted. Jesus certainly does pray for church unity, saying,
“. . . . that all of them may be one, Father, . . . ” John 17:21
From the context it is clear what this unity was to be. It is that they may be one in passing on the Word of God. Wherever gospel work among the lost is the prime concern of church people, denominational differences subside to insignificance. This prayer of Jesus has been fulfilled throughout the world in every generation. A concern to obey and teach the word of God to others is the only basis for real unity. To be ‘in Christ’ is to take on his commission.
“May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21
There it comes again – ‘that the world may believe’. As if this were not enough, the next verse spells this out again.
“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them . . .” John 17:23
God so loves the whole world and does not want any to perish. Yet they can only be rescued by responding to the message of God we have explained to them.
Jesus taught his disciples not to be afraid of those who might kill them but to openly talk about himself.
“I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God, but he who disowns me before men will also be disowned.” ( Luke 12 v. 8 )
This all sounds very difficult, but Jesus promised us his Spirit to strengthen us for the task. It is no coincidence that the promise “Lo, I am with you always” is given in the context of “therefore go and make disciples of all nations” ( Matthew 28 v. 20 ). As one preacher said “There is no “Lo” without “Go” “. At the beginning of Acts Jesus again makes this strong association. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses....” ( Acts 1 v. 8 ).
EARLY CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE
After Pentecost, Peter gave the first Christian sermon that challenged many listeners. “What shall we do” they asked. Repent and be baptized they were told - which in essence meant turn back to God inwardly and then go public - let people know of your commitment to Jesus and his church. Three thousand did and nothing could stop them praising God openly. (Acts 2 v. 37-47)
A little later Peter and John were publicly teaching in Jerusalem in a way considered provocative. When arrested by the High Priest they said “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Their courage in speaking out was recognized, but had to be stopped. After a discussion they recalled the two and with all their authority as leaders of society - doubtless to try and avoid religious and social unrest, they commanded the two not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But they replied that they as Christians had no option but to continue talking about Jesus, as they had to obey God. “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ( Acts 2 v. 5-20 ) After their release Peter and John returned to the church members. They prayed together, finishing with the words “Now Lord consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” Immediately the room they were in, shook, and they were again filled with the Holy Spirit - the result of this was that they all “spoke the word of God boldly” - the whole church not just the apostles ( Acts 4 v. 31 ). No wonder the early church grew so fast, they all had boldness to tell others the word of God and this was the effect of being filled with God’s Spirit.
What was the result of this? It was increased opposition and persecution. The High Priest and his colleagues again arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But their Lord opened the prison doors , brought the apostles out and then told them to go back to the temple and “tell the people the full message of the new life.” Nothing was to stop the Christians speaking out about the gospel, not even potential unrest ( Acts 5 v. 20 ).
Their teaching certainly made people feel guilty and distressed yet the commission from God made them continue. The apostles were yet again arrested by the Jewish authorities and given two reasons why they should stop telling everyone the gospel - obedience to the human authority and inducing guilt complexes. ( Acts 5 v. 28 ) Yet again the apostles replied “We must obey God rather than men.” The authorities were so furious they wanted to kill the apostles. It was only the wise Gamaliel’s intervention that resulted in their being just flogged and again warned “ not to speak in the name of Jesus.” But the result was the same - they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the “good news” . ( Acts 5 v. 42 )
Some may object by suggesting that this witnessing was largely done by the apostles, who were so exceptional. However following the stoning of Stephen (for what he said!) a great persecution against Christians broke out. Everyone except the apostles scattered, but wherever the ordinary Christians went they “preached the word.” ( Acts 8 v. 4 ) Nothing would stop them telling others about Jesus and how they could be saved.
Later Saul, a leader of the persecution of the Christians, was himself converted. At once he began to witness publicly about Jesus - proving that he was the Messiah of God. ( Acts 9 v.22 ) These people were not witnessing to their own changed lives, but about a man who was God who died on behalf of all, so that anyone could be safe before God.
THEOLOGY OF PAUL
When writing to the Corinthian church, Paul frequently emphasizes this need for Christians to speak out Quoting the Psalms he says “ “ It is written I believed , therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak.” ( 2 Cor. 4 v.13 ) He saw witnessing about Jesus as the natural effect of being committed to Him. It was difficult as they were afraid of the possible consequences, but their commitment to God was greater. Boldness was the need and this came as a result of their Christian convictions ( 2 Cor. 3 v.12 ) , and their Christian experience “ We know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men” ( 2 Cor. 5 v.11 ).
It is notable that the techniques used in evangelism were mainly logical discussions about the claims of Jesus and evidence in support of them. They persuaded others that they must become Christians or face eternity without God, because the gospel was true. So he reminds the Corinthians and all of us,
“ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” ( 2 Cor. 5 v. 20 )
The contemporary problem of Christians being reticent to tell others about Jesus is nothing new. Even leading Christians in the early church found this difficult. When Paul was in his final imprisonment in Rome prior to his execution by beheading he wrote a final letter to Timothy, who obviously had this same problem, and reminded him “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about out Lord.” ( 2 Tim 1 v. 7-8 ) Witnessing about Jesus was enabled by Gods Spirit - who is bold!
Paul himself was criticized by some early Christians for being too extreme with the result that the Roman authorities threw him into prison. If only he had been less outspoken, he would have remained free and hence more effective. He answers this criticism by saying that the opposite is true. The effect of his imprisonment was that the 9000 elite soldiers of praetorian guard had learnt about Jesus and also that “Most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” ( Phil. 1 v. 12-14 ) That was the need in those days, although it could result in very stiff opposition and persecution, and it is the need today. In a similar way our aim now is the furtherance of Christ’s gospel. What an indictment was made about the Roman Christians in that early period, “everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Christ”. ( Phil. 2 v. 21 )
So central was this theme that the gift of the Holy Spirit was to help the Christians to pass on the message of Jesus that it became a test as to whether people were really saved or not. This is startling for many church people today who seem to have been taught that an intellectual assent to the Christian truth and leading a good life is enough for salvation. In Romans 10 Paul is sharing his concern that the Jews should believe in and turn to Christ. How can they do this unless they are told. ( Rom. 10 v. 14-17 ) It is this talking of the “Good News” that demonstrates that people really are in Christ. “ If you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord “ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” ( Rom. 10 v. 9-10 ) Thus the passing on of the gospel is an essential part of being a Christian.
THEOLOGY OF PETER
Peter, just like Paul, taught that the two priorities of Christians were holiness (obedience to Jesus) and open confession of the gospel. His first epistle was also written from Rome during his final imprisonment prior to his execution. After assuring the Christians in Asia Minor, of “the sure and certain hope of heaven” reserved for them, he reminds them of what they should do prior to heaven. “Prepare your minds for action” he begins. “As obedient children ..... be holy” he continues. This means to be set apart by our obedience to Christ that we live totally for Christ and so become like Christ ( 1 Peter 1 v. 13-15 ). Evangelism is not an alternative to living godly lives but an essential part of being godly. In the next chapter he emphasises this aspect.
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” ( 1 Peter 2 v. 9 ).
Thus personal evangelism is not a voluntary option - all Christians are called on by our Lord to talk openly of our Saviour so that others may be persuaded to turn to Him. Certainly we need to be trained in this and do our homework so as to make us more effective. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”. (1 Peter 3 v. 15) As the aim is to win others for Jesus we must not be insensitive!
THEOLOGY OF JOHN
John describes the first meeting of Jesus with his disciples on Easter Sunday. He commissions them with the words “I am sending you”, but then immediately empowers them for this task with the words “receive the Holy Spirit”. Archbishop William Temple commented
“The primary purpose for which the Holy Spirit is given is that we may bear witness to Christ”.
In the book of Revelation John acknowledges that it is the death of Jesus on the cross that has defeated Satan. ( Revelation 12 v. 11 ) All Christians know this and rightly depend on it. But then he adds a further interesting phrase:
“. . . by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony”
This is how the brethren are said to have overcome Satan. Salvation depends not just upon a passive acceptance that Jesus died for each of us but also upon an active involvement with him in telling others the gospel. An act of faith must become an activity of faith.
THEOLOGY OF HEBREWS
The final chapter of the book of Hebrews urges Christians to follow the example of Jesus, and ‘go out’ from the security of our Christian base ‘to make people holy’ - to win them for God.
“And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to himoutside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”Hebrews 13 v. 15
How is this to be achieved? It is by telling others about Jesus!
This is certainly not easy, and it does cost each of us considerably to open our mouths about our Saviour. This is why it is called a sacrifice - a sacrifice of praise. In some societies it can cost people their lives! Some may say, “I do that once a week in church!” This verse teaches that that is not enough, we should be continually telling others, and the context shows that this means those who are outside the Christian fold. This is how God most likes to be praised. Singing hymns may help us, but he prefers people to be open witnesses to him before those who are lost. The next verse reminds us that our speech must be associated with good, generous lives - ‘with such sacrifices God is pleased’ (v. 16).
SUMMARY
Is it surprising that four out of five English churches are getting smaller and older. We desperately need to hear again what the apostolic faith requires of us. It is daunting to embark on this course, but it is God himself who will motivate and empower his people through his Holy Spirit at work in us. The God who gave this unction to Jeremiah can do the same for each of us.
“If I say I will not mention him or speak any more in his name, his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in. Indeed I cannot”. Jeremiah 20 v.9
If we are not keen that others may hear the gospel and respond, there are three possible reasons. Either
1. We are ignorant of what the Bible teaches because we have been poorly taught.
2. We have drifted in our daily walk of obedience to Jesus and consequently
the longings of the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known to all, are only remotely ours.
3. We are not yet Christians and have not yet received the Holy Spirit.
The prime work of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God’s truth and make Jesus known, to give Jesus the glory and honour he deserves.
“He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.”John 16 v.14
We are given this same Holy Spirit to enable us to fulfill God’s wishes.
If any readers long to have this unction that Jesus had, that Jeremiah had, the apostles had, and that the early Christians had, then let us ask God to so fill us with his Holy Spirit that nothing will prevent us working, planning and preparing so as to make the Saviour of the world better known.
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”. Luke 11 v.13
The Biblical teaching is clear. Should we not individually and corporately pray for God’s motivation so that we can be more effective for him, both in the manner in which we live our lives and the way we speak out, sensitively, for him? Paul felt that he needed others to pray for him in this regard, can we echo his request?
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I may fearlessly make known the gospel, .....Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should”. Ephesians 6 v. 19-20
BVP
