Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "testifies" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the idea of bearing witness to truth, often in the context of God's revelation, the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit. The act of testifying is a significant theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a means by which God's truth is communicated and affirmed.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "testify" is עוּד (ʿud), which means to bear witness or to affirm something as true. The act of testifying is frequently associated with the covenant relationship between God and His people. For instance, in
Deuteronomy 31:26, Moses commands the Levites to place the Book of the Law beside the Ark of the Covenant as a witness against the people of Israel: "Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you."
The prophets also played a crucial role in testifying to God's will and calling the people to repentance. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets often spoke of their messages as testimonies from God, urging the Israelites to return to the covenant.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word for "testify" is μαρτυρέω (martyreō), which means to bear witness or to give evidence. The concept of testifying is central to the Gospel message and the mission of the early church.
Jesus Christ as the Ultimate WitnessJesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate witness to the truth of God. In
John 18:37, Jesus declares to Pilate, "For this reason I was born and have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice." Jesus' life, death, and resurrection serve as the ultimate testimony to God's redemptive plan for humanity.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit also plays a vital role in testifying to the truth of Christ. In
John 15:26, Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, saying, "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me." The Holy Spirit empowers believers to bear witness to the Gospel and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (
John 16:8).
The Apostles and Early ChurchThe apostles were commissioned to testify to the resurrection of Jesus and the salvation available through Him.
Acts 1:8 records Jesus' words to His disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Book of Acts is filled with accounts of the apostles testifying to the truth of the Gospel, often at great personal risk.
The Believer's Call to TestifyAll believers are called to testify to their faith in Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 encourages Christians to "always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you." This call to testify is not only a verbal proclamation but also a demonstration of faith through actions and lifestyle.
The Testimony of ScriptureScripture itself is a testimony to God's character, promises, and redemptive work. In
2 Timothy 3:16, Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness." The Bible serves as a witness to God's truth and a guide for believers in their walk of faith.
ConclusionThe theme of testifying in the Bible underscores the importance of bearing witness to God's truth, both through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. It is a call to proclaim the Gospel boldly and to live in a manner that reflects the transformative power of God's truth.
Greek
4828. summartureo -- to testify or bear witness with... Word Origin from sun and martureo Definition to testify or bear witness with NASB
Word Usage bearing witness (1),
testifies (2). testify unto, bear witness.
...3140. martureo -- to bear witness, testify
... reputation (1), obtained the testimony (1), obtained the witness (1), received a
good testimony (1), speaking well (1), testified (17),testifies (7), testify...
5250. huperpleonazo -- to abound exceedingly
... 5250 ("-abounded beyond numbering") is only used in 1 Tim 1:14. Here Paultestifies
of the Lord's grace, causing and in his life to (be very great in number)....
1263. diamarturomai -- to affirm solemnly
... marturomai Definition to affirm solemnly NASB Word Usage solemnly to testify (1),
solemnly charge (3), solemnly testified (2), solemnlytestifies (1), solemnly...
Strong's Hebrew
6030a. anah -- to answer, respond... 1), replied (29), replied* (1), respond (6), responded (3), responded* (7), said
(1), said* (2), spoke (3), tell (1), testified (1),
testifies (3), testify (5
...Library
The Scripture MoreoverTestifies that Believers in this Life have...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Article 11 The Scripture moreovertestifies that
believers in this life have to struggle with various carnal?...
For ScriptureTestifies, in Regard to those who have a Knowledge...
... Chapter XLVII. For Scripturetestifies, in regard to those who have a
knowledge of those things of? For Scripturetestifies, in...
Christ PlainlyTestifies to the Resurrection of the Entire Man not...
... Chapter XXXIV."Christ PlainlyTestifies to the Resurrection of the Entire
Man Not in His Soul Only, Without the Body. To begin...
Holy Scripture in the New Testament, Even in Its Very First Verse...
... Chapter XXII."Holy Scripture in the New Testament, Even in Its Very First
Verse,Testifies to Christ's True Flesh. In Virtue of...
We Shall Rise Again, Then, as the Scripture AlsoTestifies.
... Chapter XXVI."We shall rise again, then, as the Scripture alsotestifies.
Do we then deem it any great and wonderful thing for...
We Shall Rise Again, Then, as the Scripture AlsoTestifies.
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter XXVI."We Shall
Rise Again, Then, as the Scripture AlsoTestifies. Do...
Epistle of Marcus Aurelius to the Senate in which HeTestifies...
... Epistle of Marcus Aurelius to the senate in which hetestifies that the
Christians were the cause of his victory. The Emperor C??sar...
"Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ. " These Words Belong...
... Sixth Book. 3. "Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ." These Words Belong to
the Baptist, Not the Evangelist. What the BaptistTestifies by Them....
What is Really the Good which the ApostleTestifies that He could...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter III. What is really the good which
the Apostletestifies that he could not perform. What...
John Points to Jesus as the Suffering Messiah, andTestifies to...
... THE FIRST DISCIPLES. Section 112. John points to Jesus as the Suffering
Messiah, andtestifies to his Higher Dignity. On the day...
Thesaurus
Testifies (19 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Testifies (19 Occurrences).
... John 3:32 What he has seen
and heard, of that he
testifies; and no one receives his witness.
...Valid (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). John 5:32 It is another whotestifies about me. I know that the
testimony which hetestifies about me is true. (See NIV)....
Testifier (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whotestifies; one who gives testimony, or bears
witness to prove anything; a witness. Multi-Version Concordance...
Favor (184 Occurrences)
... back. (WEB). John 5:32 It is another whotestifies about me. I know that the
testimony which hetestifies about me is true. (See NIV)....
Arrogance (30 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Hosea 5:5 The pride of Israeltestifies to his face. Therefore Israel and
Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah also will stumble with them....
Myself (395 Occurrences)
... (BBE). John 8:18 I am one whotestifies about myself, and the Father who sent me
testifies about me." (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Testimony (175 Occurrences)
... (WEY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). John 5:32 It is another whotestifies about me. I
know that the testimony which hetestifies about me is true....
Witness (295 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) One whotestifies in a cause, or gives evidence before a judicial tribunal;
as, the witness in court agreed in all essential facts....
Leanness (4 Occurrences)
... Job 16:8 You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises
up against me. Ittestifies to my face. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)....
Gauntness (1 Occurrence)
... Gauntness (1 Occurrence). Job 16:8 You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against
me. My leanness rises up against me. Ittestifies to my face. (See NIV)....
Resources
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