Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

TESTIMONY

Gk. mártys (“testimony” or “witness”) was originally used of a witness in a court of law. The term and its cognates appear mainly in support of Christian beliefs about Jesus.

Much of the Gospel of John is structured as a juridical debate on whether Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God (John 20:31). Many witnesses testify about Jesus: the Baptist (John 1:7-8), the Samaritan woman (4:39), Scripture (5:39), the Father (5:37; 8:18), Jesus himself (8:18), and Jesus’ works (10:25). The disciples and the Paraclete will continue as witnesses (John 15:26-27; cf. 1 John 5:7) after Jesus departs. The credibility of the Gospel itself depends on the author’s witness (John 19:35; 21:24).

Eyewitness testimony is key in the Acts of the Apostles. The apostles witness to Jesus’ life (Acts 10:39), death (3:15), and, most importantly, his resurrection (1:22; cf. 1 Cor. 15:5-8 and the Gospel accounts of resurrection witnesses, including women). The Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32) and Scripture also witness to Jesus (28:23).

The book of Revelation presents several witnesses who are faithful to Jesus until death (Rev. 2:13; 20:4) and thus anticipates the later technical meaning of “martyr.” Testimony in a strictly legal sense is found in the Synoptic accounts of the trial of Jesus (Mark 14:55-56 par.) and as a rule of order in Matthew’s church (Matt. 18:16; cf. Deut. 19:15).

See Witness.

Bibliography. A. A. Trites, The New Testament Concept of Witness. SNTSMS 31 (Cambridge, 1977).

Martin C. Albl

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

TESTIMONY

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)