Witness... Testify

In my world of words and definitions, these 2 words mean the same thing, the same act... the difference is the audience. 

Witness: we all know what this is - telling another person about Jesus and who He is in your life. There are always those who seem to do this effortlessly and then others who are very awkward. You know... sometimes it's the awkward person that is the most believable. However, it isn't our comfort and lack of that's the point - sharing Jesus is. Perhaps our witnessing is a bit Jonah-ish - done with reluctance (and the reason for this is as varied as the people feeling this way). However (again) that's not what's asked.  Matthew tells us 'Go'. That's all we have to do and be alert to opportunities to share the single most important person in our lives and what He's done for us.

Testify is kind of an old fashion word/'activity' in the church. It use to be one of the focal points in a service. This was the time when the congregation could share with the church how the Lord was working in their lives. Shouts of 'hosanna', Amen, Praise the Lord, preach it, would accompany the testimony. The point was to uplift and encourage the members (or attendees) of the service. Sometimes this was part of the Sunday morning worship service, but most often it was the core of the Sunday evening service. It was when we could 'brag' on the Lord. 

In today's church it is difficult to even get the congregation to corporately pray. Harsh? Probably... but also true.

   "What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, 

    each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special

    knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be con-

    structive and edifying and done for the good of all the church. 
    (1 Corinthians 14: 26, AMP)

That verse begins Paul's instruction concerning the 'church' services. Duly note the 'each' word. Whether or not it was voiced, it was expected that every participant would be prepared and open to the Spirit's leading to share how the Spirit was leading. Testifying falls into this. Is there a greater 'witness' to the Lord and who and what He is then a fellow brother or sister sharing what the Lord has done in their lives?

The Holy Spirit is the main person in the Godhead during these times of witnessing and testifying. It is He who directs and empowers us to share... for the edification, encouraging, and benefit of all.

   "Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guid-

    ance of] the [Holy] Spirit. Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or

    prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or

    warning]. But test [a]all things carefully [so you can recognize what is 

    good]. Hold firmly to that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, AMP)