Changi Chapel

The importance of a believer’s public witness…

In Luke 9:18, Jesus asked His disciples a very peculiar question – “Who do the people say that I am?”.

Why did He ask this? Did it really matter what the crowds think of us?

We read again and again in the Bible, the importance of the “public testimony” of a Christian leader – or any believer who has to shoulder spiritual responsibilities.

In Exodus 18:21, we see how Jethro advises Moses to look for men of impeccable character and of good report to appoint in positions of leadership. Men who are “able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit”.

In the New Testament, being a man “of good report” was an essential criteria for leadership roles in the church.

In 1 Tim 3:7, Paul says “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders”, if an individual is keen on spiritual leadership.

Hence we see Jesus asks this peculiar question, so that believers too will be careful to maintain a public witness that is impeccable and above reproach.

So, who do people say you are?