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 them 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 (I Perter 4:11)."
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 elect 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 (Mark 16:15-18)."
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 God's congregation is lacking... a people that will wait for the "amen" of the Spirit in all that they do.
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