Our roadmap
What is the gospel? We want to make sure you know the gospel. And have personally accepted it. And so we present the gospel, consider Paul’s testimony, and apply it to our own story.
What is the gospel?
The gospel isn’t complex. It’s a message. Good news. That Christ died for our sin and rose from the grave. All men everywhere are therefore called to repent.
Luke 24:44-48, 44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
- Why did Jesus suffer? (Luke 24:46b)
- Why is His resurrection so important? (Luke 24:46c)
- What does it mean to repent? (Luke 24:47)
What is a Biblical testimony?
Acts 26:4-23 contains the testimony of Paul. It’s not long but it’s powerful.
Acts 26:4-23, 4 “All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand on trial because of the hope in what God promised to our ancestors, 7 the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope. 8 Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 9 In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme. Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.
12 “I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. 13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 “I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to kill me. 22 To this very day, I have had help from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would take place— 23 that the Messiah would suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”
- First, can you see that Paul speaks of his former life? Before he became a Christian? That he describes himself as a sinner in need of a saviour? (Acts 26:4-11)
- Second, can you see that Paul describes how he came to trust in Jesus as his Saviour? The circumstances of his salvation? (Acts 26:12-18)
- Third, can you see that Paul’s testimony is Jesus-focused? He described in detail the gospel message that he believed? (Acts 26:1-23)
- Fourth, can you see that Paul went on to describe how the gospel changed his life? What his new life in Christ looked like? (Acts 26:19-23)
What is your testimony?
With the pattern of Paul’s salvation testimony in mind you’re ready to record your own salvation testimony.
- What do you say of your former life? Did you lack peace, security? Live like a reprobate, like a Pharisee? Just like Paul did tell your story below. You don’t have to reveal every detail, but be honest.
- How did you come to trust in Jesus as your Saviour? What were the circumstances or events that led up to your conversion?
- Can you describe the Gospel message in your own testimony? You want to make sure that this is clear, concise and if you use “Christianese” that you explain the meaning of every word.
- How do you live out your life with Jesus as your Lord? Be honest; you’re not perfect but the Holy Spirit produces fruit. Describe it in your life.
This week we want to make sure you know the gospel. And have personally accepted it. And so we presented the gospel, considered Paul’s testimony, and applied it to our own story.