The Law of Two or Three Witnesses in the Bible: God’s Framework for Establishing Truth
No witness? No proof. Without a witness, there’s no case. Courts know it. Scripture confirms it. God binds His truths to witnesses. They help authenticate a matter.
This very truth is why God sent John the Baptist as a forerunner to Christ. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (John 1:6-7)
The authentication of Jesus as the Christ through witnesses lies at the heart of the Apostle John’s gospel. This is stated most clearly in John 5:31–37, where Jesus explains that His testimony is confirmed by three witnesses: John the Baptist, the Father and His own works.
Two inescapable witnesses in particular hold all of us accountable to God’s truths, whether or not we are ever exposed to any other witnesses!
Creation openly declares God’s eternal power and Godhead, leaving mankind with an ever- observable witness of the truth of Christ. (Psalm 19:1-3, Romans 1:19-20) This is especially true in the creation of light and the sun. (John 8:12, Malachai 4:2)
Our conscience bears witness within all of us that we are sinners who have offended God and are in need of a savior. (Romans 2:14-15). Observe, God gave these two obvious witnesses to absolutely everyone. For more on the ramifications of the witness of creation and conscience, read here.
Broader scope
But you know, other witnesses exist. Jesus said, Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)
God’s “two or three witnesses” framework expands throughout the Bible. It’s God’s method to verify all His truth, and it’s a key to unlocking every doctrine in the Bible. Paul understood the binding nature of witnesses. This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13:1)
Both the Old and New Testaments bear witness to one another. God embedded testimony in history, types, shadows and ordinances so that when New Testament doctrine is fully revealed, it is already established in the mouths of two or three Old Testament witnesses. Consider a few examples:
· Enoch walked with God and God took him up (Genesis 5:24) as a witness to the catching away of believers in the rapture before the coming period of global judgment/tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
· The Melchizedek priesthood (Genesis 14:18–20) introduces a priest-king without recorded genealogy, anticipating Christ’s eternal priesthood “after the order of Melchisedec.” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:1–3)
· The serpent of brass lifted up by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8–9) foreshadows Christ’s crucifixion. God required a look of faith then; He requires faith in His crucified and risen Son now. (John 3:14–15)
· The kinsman-redeemer law (Ruth 4:1–10) establishes the legal right of a near kinsman to redeem inheritance and raise up a name. In redeeming Ruth, a Gentile, this pattern anticipates Christ bringing those once “afar off” into an eternal relationship with Christ. (Ephesians 2:12–13)
The witness principle goes clear to the end. Before God’s final judgment unfolds, He appoints two witnesses to prophesy during the tribulation. (Revelation 11:3) You could say this is the capstone on the law that every matter is established by two or three witnesses. God has bound Himself, history and His Word to the consistent testimony of witnesses. We hold more evidence of the truths of God in our hands than we ever imagined. We become wise students of God when we grasp this.
R&J Shee