Should We Go Witnessing?

One of the heavy "millstones" tied around the necks of God's children, a burden which the Spirit has NOT laid on the body of Christ, is today's Christian notion of "going witnessing". There is no such thing in the kingdom of God as what Christians do when they are told by their leaders to "go witnessing". In almost every case, those who are encouraged to do so, are being persuaded to disobey the Spirit they possess. So if you have found yourself resisting this supposed "duty" and feeling guilty about feeling that way, this article will bring you relief from the doctrines and traditions of men. It feeds the pride of man to think they can "do something for God". Seek rather to have God "do something" for YOU!

Paul asked the rhetorical question, "How shall they preach except they be sent?" (Rom.10:15), expecting, of course, the obvious response, "They cannot preach except they be sent." No one can understand either Paul's question or the answer, without first being made aware of the difference between being called and being sent. Jesus first called disciples to follow him. Later, from among those whom he had called, and there were many, Jesus chose certain ones to send to preach the gospel. As Jesus said, "Many are called, but few are chosen."

It may seem at first to be a small matter, but we need to know that no one has ever been "called to preach". That phrase is found nowhere in the Bible. Rather than "calling men to preach", our Lord calls for men and women to be silent and to learn of him. Then he chooses some of those followers to be sent with his gospel of peace. He calls men not to preach, but to be quiet. Only after teaching his disciples the fundamentals of the faith did Jesus send some of them to carry his gospel.

In Matthew 5:1-2, we read, "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain. And when he was set, his disciples came unto him, and he opened his mouth and taught them." After this lengthy session with his disciples, teaching them the moral requirements of the kingdom of God, Jesus descended from the mountain (Mt.8) and demonstrated to his disciples the miraculous power of God to heal the sick and deliver the oppressed. Then, in Matthew 10:1, we find that Jesus gathered his disciples, and "He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." Mark describes this sending of the disciples with these words, "And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sickness and to cast out devils" (Mk.3:14-15).

Notice, please, that these disciples were ordained after they were called. And ordained for what? "That they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out devils." What about this, friend? Now, when were these disciples ordained to preach? Not when Jesus called them to leave their nets, tax office, etc. Not when they were being taught in the mountain. It was only after Jesus had led them down from the mountain and demonstrated in their presence the power of God by healing a great multitude of all manner of diseases, that he anointed these disciples with "power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." It was at this time that Jesus ordained his twelve disciples and sent them to preach, saying, "freely ye have received, freely give."

Prayerfully consider, my dear friend, this question which I ask in deepest sincerity: Have you been sent? Or have you only been called? Sadly, young tender souls are told by Christian ministers to go out, and "witness for Christ", having never been sent by God. What can they "freely give"? Only the doctrines and creeds of their denominations. Only their man-invented "plans of salvation", their carnal "sinners prayers", and a plethora of other silly cliches they have been taught by men to teach other men. Those who do so, have not been sent to say or do what they are doing. If you are a Spirit baptized child of God - this word is for you: DON'T GO WITNESSING! Jesus is not the one calling you to do this, for he has never asked any person who he has not specifically anointed and sent, to "go witnessing" for him!

How does a person receive this "sending" from God? There is a seminary of God, where the Spirit reveals the true doctrine of Christ and gives power which no man can give. Men are not able to confer upon other men the power to preach the gospel. Only Christ can send a man to preach. In the seminary of God, Christ alone confers the degrees. As wise Peter said, "If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth."

Yes, my reader, it was by receiving the power of God to heal and to deliver the people from evil spirits that the twelve apostles were ordained as ministers of God. This, of course, was all done in the wonderful name of Jesus. And God has given the privilege of the authority of that great name to all His ministers. Nothing could be clearer than this, and it is proving to be so among every one today who has been anointed and sent by Christ with his power of deliverance from sin and sickness. The Pharisees opposed both Jesus and ministers of the early congregation because of the power of God which those who were "sent" possessed to heal and deliver the people. Every unanointed minister today, like the Pharisees of old, also senses that the power of God is a threat to his unauthorized, man-appointed ministry. Since God has not "sent" them to do what they are doing, it is easier for some of them to fight the power of God, and those who have it, rather than to seek God and receive it. Hear Paul's description of such religious leaders, and note his warning that follows: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. From such turn away" (2Tim. 3:1-5).

Every true and wise minister that will be of service to Jesus will be sent with this commission: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" ... "And these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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."

If you have not been sent by the power of the holy Ghost to "go", please don't go! If you go "witnessing" when you have not been "sent", you will be guilty of this sin which Jesus warned men of: "for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" (Mat.23:15). God is able to get his gospel to men by the preaching of those who have been anointed to preach ("for how shall they hear without a preacher")... but such a calling is rare. Each experience in Christ is definite and wonderful. Most believers need to know that you may please Jesus completely by "studying to be quiet" if you are not one of those "sent" by God. Learn of Him. Study to show yourself approved. Get happy and free in the holy Ghost. Work with your hands that you may support the truth. Be content with what Jesus HAS done for you, for "godliness with contentment is great gain".

"Going witnessing" is something that those who are NOT being led by the Spirit are persuaded to do, because they have not been told by the Spirit what they ARE to do. And that is what the body of Christ is lacking... a people that will wait for the "amen" of the Spirit in all that they do.

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