Part Five – Five Vital Signs of a Believer – Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Witnessing)
Five Vital Signs of A believer Continued.
Below The 5 Vital Signs of a Believer.
1. Read and Study the Word of God
2. Praying and Speaking in Tongues
3. Fellowshipping with Like Minded Believers
4. Financial Giving
5. Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Witnessing)
We have come to the fifth and last part of the 5 vital signs of a believer. So far we have looked at and learnt the importance of 1. Reading and studying the word of God 2. Praying and speaking in tongues. 3. Fellowshipping with like minded believers 4. Financial giving and now we will take at look at what God is showing from His word on preaching and gospel of Jesus Christ (witnessing).
The gospel means good news and the good news we share, is about what God has done for us, through Jesus Christ.
Before Jesus Christ ascension he instructed his disciples to wait for the promise of the Father, which was the out pouring of holy spirit which they received on the day of Pentecost, where they received holy spirit and spoke in tongues.(Acts 1:4 and Acts 2:1-4)
He also told that them in Acts 1:8 they would receive power (holy spirit) and that they would be witnesses unto Jesus, both in Jerusalem, and all Judea, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Before this and up to this point in Acts, Jesus earthly ministry was focused on reaching the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Romans 15:8 (KJV) 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
Now the focus had shifted to include the entire world.
Luke 24:47 (KJV) 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
on the day of Pentecost Peter stood and declared this.
Acts 2:39 (KJV) 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
God has given unto the born again believer today, the ministry of reconciliation. We will take a look now in 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Now we are born again of the spirit of God, and we are a new creation in Christ, we are putting on the truths of the word of God, in our minds and hearts, and that new man nature of Christ in Us begins to shine forth in our hearts and lives, verse 18 says that God has reconciled us, to himself, by or through Jesus Christ, God was working in Jesus Christ, to join back together to Himself.
To reconcile something means that something was broken and needed to be put back together. Through the fall of Adam and Eve, the connection between God and man was lost, that is why God, sent Jesus Christ, into the world to restore that which was lost. Jesus Christ is now seated at the right hand side of God, let’s see the scriptures to confirm this
Hebrews 1:3 (KJV) 3 Who (Jesus Christ) being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Hebrews 10:12 (KJV) 12 But this man,(Jesus) after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Romans 8:34 (KJV) 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
here are some other scripture references for you to check out this wonderful truth of talking about Jesus Christ being at the right hand of God.
Acts 2:25, Acts 2:33,34, Acts 5:31, Acts 7:55,56, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 8:1, 1Peter 3:22,
Having finished the work Jesus Christ was sent to do while on the earth, this ministry of reconciliation has now been given to the born again of God spirit believers, today to carry out.
2 Corinthians 5:19, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting or holding their sin against them has committed or appointed to us the word of reconciliation.
Today we have this honour and privilege to bring others back to God, through this word and ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:20, Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Today we are Ambassadors or reprehensive of God and the Lord Jesus Christ by holding forth the word of God in love, we share Gods love and what Jesus Christ accomplished, by paying for our sins by laying down his life for us, that people can have forgiven with God and a relationship, because they are made righteous and are justified and sanctified, and redeem through what He accomplished, when they believe and confess Jesus as lord in their lives (Romans 10:9 & 10). We share with others the need for a savior. and the new birth, and our right standing with God, and that they have eternal life and that Jesus Christ will one day come back to gather the believers. (1 Thessalonians 4:13- 18) and that today God is not counting our sin against us, once we have made Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives. that Jesus Christ not only paid for our sin, but also our sicknesses, diseases, emotional and mental well being, and prosperity.
We share with others their need for a savior and why.
Romans 3:23 -26 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus
Romans 5:6-21 (KJV) V)
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The body of Christ has a great responsibility today, to declare God and Jesus Christ. and to let people know the good news of wholeness which is our salvation. The Apostle Paul declared he was not ashamed of the gospel this good news, because it is the power of God unto Salvation. Salvation means wholeness.
Romans 1:16-17 (KJV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
We have such a great message to declare to others, to bring them from darkness to light, to heal the sick cleanse the lepers, to raise the dead, to set the captives free from bondage of this world, which is not from the true God, but is from the God of this world, let us see this in the word of God.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) In whom the god of this world (satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
satan, who is also known as the devil, and the father of lies, according to the scriptures is the god of this world, and he is the one, that blinds the mind (understanding) of the unbelievers through the systems of this world.
John 10:10 (KJV) The thief (satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Here Jesus Christ exposes the god of this world, (satans) ministry, which is to steal, kill and destroy.
Jesus Christ ministry is to give life and life more abundantly, and that is fullness of life, super abundant, in quantity and/or superior in quality, and beyond measure. the life of a believers is super blessed and happy, and we can share these truth with those that do not know these truths, to those sitting darkness and we can bring them from darkness to the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ which is the power of God unto salvation.
The Father needs you, you are important to God, as we are his witnesses of the greatness of the love of God, and power of God, we are His lights in this world of darkness and we only shine as we live His word and speak His word out to others.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised
Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
1 John 3:8b ……………………….. b), For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
In Luke 4, we see the Lord Jesus Christ ministry, and what he was anointed to do, this is also our own job description to as ambassador of Christ. we see Acts 10 that He carried his work out, and now that is what we need to do, being not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God unto salvation which is wholeness. in 1 John 3:8 we see the purpose the son of God, Jesus Christ and why he was manifested and that was to destroy the works of devil.
here are some more records and instructions from the lord Jesus Christ to His disciples before his ascended, which they carried out then, and we continue this way now.
Mark 16: 15-20 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Now we will looked at some verses in the book of Acts, where the apostles and believers were preaching the word and boldly at that.
Examples of bold preaching and teaching and being witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Apostles and believers, learn how to witness and preach the gospel, from the master teacher of all teachers the Lord Jesus Christ. these believers were bold and many a great people were born again saved and made whole.
Acts 2:14 -40 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 3:13-16 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Acts 4:10-14 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
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.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Acts 5:30 -42 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 8 1-8 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
Here we see wonderful records of the Apostle, and believers speaking God word boldly nothing stopped them. They were led by the spirit of God, (Romans 8:14) they were healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead. We today can do the same and are doing the same. I encourage you to read the book of Acts and see that the Acts of the first century believers, as they moved with God, see how they preached the word, and there witness with boldness.
I pray you have been encourage on this subject of the 5 vital signs of a believer. I encourage you, to work Gods word for yourselves, start simply by reading the Word of God, then your desire to study it and rightly divide the word of God will grow, pray and speak in tongues much in your private life and look to God for your answers and direction and do the things that God places in your heart to do, fellowship with other like minded believer, as much as you can, in the book of Acts we see they done this daily. give of the resources that God has blessed you with, and in your giving remember you are honoring God, and the heart you give it with, is important to God. and preach the word share it with those that are lost and sat in darkness, have a love and compassion for others. we will finish this series with one more exhortation from the scriptures.
Matthew 9: 35-38 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
Here we see in this record Jesus setting the standard and example of preaching and teaching and healing, when he saw the multitudes he was moved compassion, when you have compassion you will be moved to help the ones who are in trouble, the reason he was moved with compassion, was because they fainted and had no leader no one to give them direction, then Jesus points out to the disciple the harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few, so he exhorts them to pray or petition God to send forth laborers, in to His harvest. The harvest is Gods and He needs workers, those that will speak forth His word, and gather the harvest in, God wants us to pray for the laborers and have a great desire when we beseech God for laborers the workers. He will send them forth, our job along with praying for the laborers is to sow and water the word but it is God job to give the increase.
God bless you greatly
Laurence Torr
About Author
Tears in my eyes! Thank you Laure for this wonderful teaching and so showing the possibility to walk at that level as sons and daughters, believers of God Almighty and His wonderful Word.