How Compelling is Your Testimony?

Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

The testimonies of Peter and John were mighty compelling, and that is what troubled the Pharisees and Sadducees.   These men were proclaiming the truth of Christ and the people of Jerusalem were extremely interested in what they had to say. But why was this so?

Their message had content – They were telling people the truth about the salvation God made available to all men. It was a conflicting message, it was a convicting message, and it was quite unpopular among the religious leaders of the day. We live in a day of “religious tolerance” and “political correctness” and it appears that the efforts of many to communicate without offending has resulted in their communicating without affecting. It is far more effective to discomfort a few with the truth than to make everyone perfectly happy with a lie.

Their methods were Christlike –   Jesus was an amazing communicator. He loved people. He spoke with a compelling combination of conviction and compassion.  John 1:14 tells us that He was full of grace and truth. He was a man of wisdom and discernment. When the Pharisees and Sadducees heard Peter and John, they recognized that they had spent time with Jesus. It’s no different today, the more time we spend with the Lord in prayer and in His Word, the more our demeanor will reflect His.    

Their ministry had converts – Standing right next to Peter and John was a man who had been radically changed by the power of God. It is very difficult to argue with a changed life. Peter and John were changed men. Now this man’s life was different. Acts 4:14 tells us that even the enemies of the Gospel could say nothing against it.   People have an empty spot in their hearts that only God can fill. When they hear the truth of God, from the lips of a Christlike messenger accompanied by genuine converts – that’s a mighty compelling testimony!