Witnessing to others about one’s faith in Christ is an important part of the Christian life. Here are some key Bible verses about witnessing and sharing the gospel with others:
The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This passage contains Jesus’ final words to his disciples before ascending to heaven. Known as the Great Commission, it charges all followers of Christ to go and make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching them the gospel.
You Will Be My Witnesses – Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Spoken by Jesus, this verse explains that believers will receive power from the Holy Spirit to embolden them to witness about Christ locally, regionally, and globally.
How Can They Hear Without a Preacher? – Romans 10:14
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”
In his letter to the Romans, Paul emphasizes the necessity of believers proclaiming the gospel in order for people to hear, believe, and call on Christ.
Always Be Prepared – 1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Writing to persecuted Christians, Peter charges believers to always be ready to explain and defend their faith whenever the situation arises.
Woe to Me if I Do Not Preach – 1 Corinthians 9:16
“For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
Paul describes his internal compulsion to share the gospel, explaining that he is obligated and compelled to preach the good news of Christ.
Speak the Truth in Love – Ephesians 4:15
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
Paul exhorts believers to speak the truth about Christ with love, patience, and maturity in order to help others grow in the faith.
Good News Must Be Proclaimed – Mark 13:10
“And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.”
Jesus declares that before the end times, the gospel message must reach people globally across all nations and ethnic groups.
Witness First in Jerusalem – Luke 24:47-48
“And that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and told them to start sharing the message of repentance and forgiveness in Jerusalem then outward to all nations.
Freely You Have Received – Matthew 10:8
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”
Jesus instructed his disciples to freely share the gospel and gifts they had received from God without expecting payment in return.
I Am Not Ashamed – Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
Despite persecution faced by early Christians, Paul boldly declares he is not ashamed to proclaim the message of the cross.
Give a Defense With Gentleness – 2 Timothy 2:24-25
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”
Paul counsels Timothy to teach, correct, and give an answer to others with patience and care so they might come to repentance.
The Urgency of the Task – 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
Paul emphasizes that sharing the message of salvation through Jesus is an urgent task. As Christ’s ambassadors we plead with others to be reconciled to God.
House to House – Acts 20:20
“How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house.”
Paul describes how he thoroughly proclaimed the gospel both in public and by going house to house in teaching and admonishing others.
Prayer for Bold Witness – Ephesians 6:19-20
“And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Paul requests prayer to speak the gospel with clarity, courage, and boldness as he continues witnessing despite being imprisoned.
Witness in Word and Deed – Colossians 4:5-6
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Paul instructs the Colossians to live wisely and make the most of opportunities to witness to unbelievers through both gracious words and loving actions.
Preach the Word – 2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
Paul charges Timothy to be ready at all times to boldly preach the Word of God with patience, correction, and care.
The Harvest is Plentiful – Matthew 9:37-38
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Jesus encouraged his followers to pray for more witnesses to spread the gospel since many people were ready to receive it.
Go and Bear Fruit – John 15:16
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Jesus appointed his disciples to go out, preach the gospel, and bear lasting spiritual fruit through their witness.
Witness to Kings – Acts 9:15
“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”
The Lord specifically chose Paul to take the gospel to many, including Gentiles, kings, and the Jews.
Saved to Tell Others – Psalm 66:16
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.”
The psalmist expresses his desire to testify about God’s work in his life so others may know Him too.
Witness with Wisdom – Proverbs 11:30
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.”
This verse poetically describes sharing one’s faith with others as capturing souls with Christ-like wisdom.
Testifying Together – Revelation 12:11
“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
God’s people overcome spiritual forces of evil through Christ’s sacrifice and their shared testimonies about His grace.
Speak of His Salvation – Psalm 71:15
“My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day.”
The psalmist commits to constantly witnessing through the day about God’s righteous character and saving acts.
Stars for Christ – Philippians 2:15
“That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
Paul says believers shine as light in the world by living honorably and witnessing about Christ in a fallen culture.
Blessings for Obedience – Deuteronomy 28:9-10
“The Lord will establish you as a people holy to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in his ways. And all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord.”
Moses tells Israel that obedient witness brings blessings from God and reveals Him to the world.
Testify of the Light – John 1: 6-8
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”
John the Baptist fulfilled his mission as a witness who pointed people to Christ – the true Light of salvation.
Preach Everywhere – Mark 16:15
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
In his final words before ascending, Jesus broadened the disciples’ witnessing mission to include preaching the gospel everywhere.
Testify What We Have Seen – 1 John 1:1-3
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you.”
John opens his letter by highlighting his firsthand experience with Jesus, motivating him to testify about Christ as eternal life.
Speak of All His Wonders – 1 Chronicles 16:8-9
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
This verse charges believers to gratefully praise God and witness to others about His awe-inspiring acts.
Say Continually, “The Lord is My Strength” – Psalm 71:16
“With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.”
The psalmist desires to constantly speak of God’s power, righteousness, and salvation before others.
Lips to Declare His Praise – Psalm 51:13-15
“Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.”
After receiving God’s forgiveness, David yearns to witness to other sinners of God’s gracious ways and righteousness.
Speak it Boldly – Ephesians 6:19
“And also for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.”
Knowing the gospel’s urgency, Paul wants boldness to clearly explain the good news of Christ.
Compelled to Speak – Jeremiah 20:9
“If I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.”
Jeremiah felt spiritually burdened and compelled by God to speak His message, unable to keep silent.
Testifying Together – Acts 14:27
“And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”
Returning from their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas testified to the church about God’s work in spreading the gospel.
Proclaim God’s Deeds – 1 Chronicles 16:24
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”
This verse calls for proclaiming praises of God’s glory and miraculous acts among every people group worldwide.
Speak His Name Continually – Psalm 105:1-2
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
The psalmist urges believers to constantly thank, praise, and testify to others about God’s miraculous works.
Testifying of the Kingdom – Acts 28:23
“When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.”
While under house arrest in Rome, Paul spent long hours testifying and persuading people about the kingdom of God and Christ.
Speak of His Love – Psalm 107:2
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.”
The psalmist calls those redeemed by the Lord to testify and praise God for His enduring love.
Boast Only in the Cross – Galatians 6:14
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Paul desires to exclusively boast in and preach the message of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.
In summary, these verses emphasize that sharing one’s faith is a natural overflow of knowing Jesus Christ. Witnessing demonstrates Christ-like compassion for the lost in wanting them to believe and receive eternal life. Believers must depend on the Spirit’s power to witness boldly, wisely, and lovingly before all peoples – whether neighbors, rulers, or foreign nations. Our words, matched with actions of grace, serve as God’s light to draw others to repentance and belief in the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ.