To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. (Acts 26:18—NKJV)

When a believer shares the Gospel he has one main purpose and that is to introduce someone to the Savior Jesus Christ. As we all know there is a big difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing that person. Knowing someone takes a personal introduction. This is why witnessing is such a personal event.

This introduction is a challenge because the unsaved person is largely “in the dark” about the real nature of the Lord Jesus Christ (the opening words of our verse show that there is a spiritual blindness that pervades the unregenerated soul). The unsaved person is not in God’s family; he has had no soul-deep dealings with Christ. He cannot see Him standing there; the man would not recognize Him even if he did see Jesus. He has remained ignorant of our Savior’s movements up until the very moment that God begins to open the man’s eyes.

When you tell someone about a friend of yours you want to give insight into your friendship. You will generally try to communicate something about the heart of your friend. You will want the person to know something about the character of your friend. You usually will share how you came to meet your friend and what you admire about him. It will be natural to talk of your most recent interaction with him and what you gain from his friendship. You will also want to tell what your relationship is at the present moment and perhaps something about when you expect to see him again. That is a real introduction.

Acts 26 is an account that Paul gives about his conversion. He is going about the task of introducing the Lord Jesus Christ to a king, King Agrippa. Beginning at verse 12, Paul tells of his own experience of his conversion on the road to Damascus. Paul was on his way to persecute believers with the full authority of the religious leaders in Jerusalem, but God had other plans for him.

You will notice that Paul met his Savior that day and learned for himself who He is.

  • Paul discovered that Jesus is Sovereign (verses 13–15). A miraculous, bright light shone on him and he fell to the ground and heard the voice of Jesus calling out to him. Paul cried out, “Who are you, Lord?” He began to see the Sovereignty of Jesus Christ and he knew he had to bow before Him.
  • Paul discovered that Jesus Christ is his Savior (verses 16–17). Paul will later describe this saving work in 2 Timothy 2:9, “Who has saved and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” Romans 10:13 reads, “Whoever calls upon the Name of the LORD shall be saved.”
  • Paul discovered that Jesus Christ is the Sanctifier (verses 17–19). He knew he was saved to serve according to the explicit instruction of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When a man gives an effective introduction to the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be certain features that stand out about the new believer. Verse 18 summarizes them for us. There will be a growing clarity about spiritual realities.

  • His spiritual blindness will lift. The power that Satan (the prince of darkness, 2 Corinthians 4:4) wields is the power to keep people in the dark. Increasing darkness in our world is perceived by the thinking saint today.
  • He will turn to the light of the Word of Truth and to the glorious Gospel (Isaiah 61:1).
  • He will receive forgiveness from his sins. The release of the guilty burden which has heavily weighed upon his awakening soul will be glorious. Forgiveness is because his sin problem has been dealt with upon the cross of his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:14, 1 Peter 2:24).
  • His outlook on his life and future will rise above the cares of this world to his inheritance among the saints. He will begin to display an eternal perspective (Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18, Colossians 1:12, 3:24).

These are the signs that your introduction to Jesus has led them to a personal friendship of their own!

Witnessing is a high and holy privilege of introduction to the Person of supreme significance for all who will receive Him. Reexamine the words of Paul as he fearlessly introduced an earthly king to the King of the Kings and see if there are not tools for you to use as you faithfully testify of your gracious Lord. Trust and obey.