How to Tell People about “This New Life” (Acts 5:18-21)
By Jennifer Waddle
Today's Bible Verse: “They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ‘Go, stand in the temple courts,’ he said, ‘and tell the people all about this new life.’ At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.” - Acts 5:18-21
If asked, many non-Christians would admit to wanting a new chance in life, a new purpose, and a new beginning. While the overarching answer from most Christians would be “You need Jesus,” this doesn’t explain how new life is found through Christ alone.
The thing is, all of us become teachers when we are saved. By our testimony, faithful study of the Word, and most of all, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to instruct others how they can have new life in Christ.
If you’ve been wondering how to share the good news of the Gospel with others, and offer people a chance at a new life, here are few key starting points:
Share Your Salvation Experience
People love stories. They are inspired by what others have gone through. Your personal testimony is one of the best and easiest ways to share Jesus with the world.
Start with the condition of your life before Christ and tell people how He rescued you from sin and death. Explain how your old life passed away and your new life began. Be honest that being a Christian doesn’t automatically make life easier, but it does give you bright hope for the future.
Your salvation experience matters, and it’s one of the best teaching opportunities to share the Good News with others.
Share a Few Key Scriptures
If you think you have to have large portions of the Bible memorized to share Jesus with others, you’re quite mistaken. What you do need are a few key passages that:
Point to mankind’s need for a Savior.
Show that Jesus is the Savior.
Explain how to receive Christ as Savior.
Don’t let a lack of Biblical knowledge stop you from sharing the Gospel. Admit when you don’t know the answer, but be diligent to find it and get back to them. The important thing is to share what you know and let the Word of God speak to the listener.
Rely on the Holy Spirit to Work
It’s not your job to make people believe—it’s up to the Holy Spirit to work in the heart of man. Pray hard for those you’re trying to reach and ask God to soften their hearts to receive the Gospel. Ask for wisdom—knowing He will give it—and plant seeds of faith as you are called. You can fully rely on the Holy Spirit to work through you for the glory of God and the good of others.
New life is available to everyone, but who is willing to teach what it means? Be encouraged today. God will open doors for you, just as He did for the apostles. And when He does, be ready to tell people “all about this new life.”
Jennifer Waddle is the author of Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, as well as an online contributor for Christian ministries such as Lifeway, Crosswalk, and Abide. With a heart to encourage women in midlife, Jennifer offers a listening ear, faithful prayer, and Biblical encouragement at EncouragementMama.com—a place where “Discouragement doesn’t win!”
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