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Testimonies ? ? ? ? ?




1 Peter 3:14-16 [Authorized King James Bible 1611]:  "But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."

Christians, true believers in Christ have given up a valuable asset that which when practiced gave like-minded individuals boldness to be a witness.  I speak of the "testimony service".  It participated at the beginning of most services.  First a song or hymn, followed by prayer requests and testimonies.  Then a few more songs and praying for those prayer requests that were made.  This Scripture of the Week (SOTW) will be devoted to the testimony service.  Time of conclusion for the service wasn't never an issue, but only the fellowship of believers in Christ. 

Individuals of the fellowship were allowed to give their report of incidents that had happened previously in their day to day lives.  When giving a testimonial before the attending congregation one would normally stand and speak.  The speaker would take a happening in their life and proclaim how God had used them in reaching others [Gal 6:10].  Somewhere heartfelt others were just exercising self-righteousness, [it taught discernment in the spirit].  But it was a way for believers to share doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness and for the body to help each other grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I believe that in this culture we have bought in to not wanting to hurt one's feelings by no longer having testimonials.  Is it better just to sit piously by and allow dribble to be spoken instead "What saith the scripture" Romans 4:3, 11:2 and Galatians 4:30. 

 In Acts 18:24-28 an eloquent man named Apollos spoke mightily in the scriptures but as with others only preached what had been taught by the 12 ("And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 19:3-5.  That wasn't a water baptism but the Spirit:  "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:13}

Apollos didn't know the gospel of Paul but Aquila and Priscilla did and "they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." Acts 18:26b.  Two things here need to be understood.  They Aquila and Priscilla, when they heard what was being said wasn't complete and made corrections to Apollos.  Apollos wasn't so proud thinking himself a know-it-all listened as they expounded to him more perfectly.  I'm quite sure this was a perfect example where "rightly dividing the word of truth" was exhibited.  Aquila and Priscilla had been with Paul some time as seen in Acts 18:3.  I'm quite sure they didn't spend their time speaking about the latest NFL stats or the World Series but they were listening to Paul expound the gospel that he had received by the now risen Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-24).

Over the years we have capitulated the good news of the gospel to weak thinking that we need to be more genteel in our presentations as not to offend.  We don't go to fellowship in prayer with others but have replaced the pray rooms with a coffee bar.  We have discarded the testimonials in corporate worship to texting gossip. We have left off the King James Bible to the newest and latest publications.   Paul then in his closing epistle writes;  "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5
     

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