Bible Study

We're happy to provide The Bible Minute studies to you at no cost. But to keep providing this resource, we need your help. Would you please consider a donation to provide The Bible Minute? Thank you for your help and your support!

Title: Witness You Can Trust
Date: Jul 20, 2010
Topic(s): Other
Scripture: John 5:37, John 15:26, Exodus 23:1-2, John 8:14, John 5:36, John 1:29-34, Acts 10:43, John 18:37, Revelation 3:14

<  previous date

next date  >

The jury had been out for two days, so the judge was pleased when the foreman returned to the chamber and said, "Your Honor, we have just one question to ask before we make our decision."

"Good. What is it?" the judge replied.

The foreman hesitated, then said "We're wondering--can you tell us what the words plaintiff and defendant mean?"

If the right decision is going to be made, it's important to understand the words used. As a follower of Christ, here's a good legal word for you to be clear about--the word witness.

What Does God Say?

Simply put, a witness is "someone who sees an event and gives a report of what happened." You will find that the Bible speaks of people who witness about Christ and what He did. You will also see that Christ Himself is a witness; and how, as a Christian, you ought to be a witness for Him as well.

Read the following verses in your Bible and answer the questions.

Consider some of the witnesses who testified to the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ:

• John 5:37. Who is the witness to Christ's genuineness in this verse?
• John 1:29-34. Who is Christ's witness in these verses? What does the witness call Him?
• John 5:36. What are the witnesses to Christ's truthfulness in this verse? What do they tell about Him?
• Acts 10:43. Who are the witnesses in this verse? What do they testify to?

Next, look at some of the things Christ witnessed to about Himself:

• John 8:14. What did Jesus say was proof that His testimony about Himself was true?
• John 18:37. What does Jesus say His purpose was for coming into the world?

And finally, look at the witnessing responsibility Christ gives to all believers:

• Acts 1:8. Where does Jesus send us to be His witnesses?

My Thoughts

Witnesses must be trustworthy since the life of a person standing trial often hangs in the balance, based on the truthfulness of what the witness claims to have seen. Therefore, it is not surprising that God holds witnesses personally responsible for their testimony.

He says in Exodus 23:1-2 (ESV): "You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice."

In Revelation 3:14 (ESV), Jesus tells the apostle John, "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.'"

• He is the "Amen," the all-sufficient one, everything that is necessary.
• He is the "faithful and true witness," the one who reports exactly what God wants us to know.
• He is the "beginning of God's creation." He is not created; He is the One who began all creation. He has witnessed the very beginning of all things.

My Part

All you need to know about the Lord Jesus Christ is recorded for you in the Bible, which was inspired by another true witness, the Holy Spirit (John15:26).

Imagine that someone asks you, "What truths do you know about Jesus Christ?" Then write down as many things as you can that the Bible witnesses to about Him. Think how you can put into your own words the truths that you want to tell others about Him.

Options

• Print Format
• Email a friend

Search: