Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextTestifying, in a biblical context, refers to the act of bearing witness or giving evidence about the truth of God's work, character, and revelation. It is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, where individuals and communities are called to testify to God's faithfulness, His laws, and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Old TestamentIn the Old Testament, testifying often involves the recounting of God's mighty acts and His covenantal promises. The Hebrew word for testimony, "edut," is frequently associated with the law and commandments given to Israel. For instance, the Ark of the Covenant is sometimes referred to as the "Ark of the Testimony" (
Exodus 25:22), symbolizing God's presence and His covenant with His people.
Prophets in the Old Testament served as key figures who testified to God's will and future plans. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets were called to bear witness to the people of Israel, often reminding them of their covenant obligations and warning them of the consequences of disobedience (
Isaiah 8:16-20).
New TestamentThe New Testament expands the concept of testifying to include the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist is a prominent figure who testifies to the coming of the Messiah, declaring, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (
John 1:29). His role as a witness is foundational in preparing the way for Jesus.
Jesus Himself testifies to the truth of His identity and mission. In
John 18:37 , Jesus states, "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." His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate testimony to God's redemptive plan.
The apostles and early Christians are also depicted as witnesses who testify to the resurrection of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 records Jesus' commission 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 Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers to testify. In
John 15:26-27 , Jesus promises the coming of the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, who will testify about Him and enable the disciples to bear witness. The Spirit's presence ensures that the testimony of believers is not based on human wisdom but on divine truth.
The Purpose of TestifyingTestifying serves several purposes in the biblical narrative. It is a means of glorifying God, edifying the church, and evangelizing the world. By sharing personal experiences of God's work in their lives, believers encourage one another and provide evidence of God's ongoing activity in the world.
Furthermore, testifying is an act of obedience to Christ's command to make disciples of all nations (
Matthew 28:19-20). It is through the faithful testimony of believers that the message of salvation is spread, inviting others to enter into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Challenges and RewardsWhile testifying is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, it is not without challenges. Believers may face opposition, persecution, or disbelief. However, the New Testament assures that those who testify in the face of adversity are blessed. In
Revelation 12:11 , it is written, "They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death."
The reward for faithful testimony is not only the joy of participating in God's mission but also the promise of eternal life with Him. As believers testify to the truth of the Gospel, they participate in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Testify.
Greek
3143. marturomai -- to summon as witness, to affirm... Word Origin from martus Definition to summon as witness, to affirm NASB Word
Usage affirm (1), imploring (1), testify (2),
testifying (1).
...3140. martureo -- to bear witness, testify
... 1), obtained the witness (1), received a good testimony (1), speaking well (1),
testified (17), testifies (7), testify (25),testifying (5), testimony (5...
2649. katamartureo -- to testify or bear witness against
... Word Origin from kata and martureo Definition to testify or bear witness against
NASB Word Usage testify against (1),testifying against (2). witness against....
1957. epimartureo -- to bear witness to
... the prefix, ). Word Origin from epi and martureo Definition to bear witness
to NASB Word Usagetestifying (1). testify. From epi...
1263. diamarturomai -- to affirm solemnly
... affirm solemnly NASB Word Usage solemnly to testify (1), solemnly charge (3), solemnly
testified (2), solemnly testifies (1), solemnlytestifying (3), solemnly...
Library
And Yet, against his Will, Celsus is Entangled intoTestifying...
... Chapter XX. And yet, against his will, Celsus is entangled intotestifying
that the world is comparatively? And yet, against his...
1 Thessalonians ii. 12-Sep
... you that believe: as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with
his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, andtestifying, to the...
The Conclusion
... Four times we have the persontestifying; and four times the things testified....
Conclusion. A A^1 a^1 6-. The Angeltestifying. b^1 -6. The things testified....
Acts xx. 17-21
... Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed
you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,testifying both to...
An Apostolic Testimony and Exhortation
... '... I have written briefly, exhorting, andtestifying that this is the
true grace of God wherein ye stand.'"1 Peter 5:12. 'I...
Then the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of All, Affectionate and Most...
... Then father Adam, falling forward at the feet of the Lord, and being raised erect,
kissed His hands, and shed many tears, saying,testifying to all: Behold the...
The Discourse Continued: Christ Appeals to the Testimony of his...
... The climax consists in the transfer of what has been said of the works, astestifying
of God, to God himself, astestifying through the works....
The Life of Mr. Richard Cameron.
... giving a reason unto the said Sir William and his lady why he went not to church
with them, he took occasion to be plain and express intestifying against the...
That There are Two Portions in the Soul, and How.
... Abraham, according to the inferior portion of his soul spoke wordstestifying in
him a kind of diffidence when the angel announced unto him the happy tidings...
'Constrained by the Word'
... III. Lastly, we have here the witness to the word. 'He was constrained by the word,
testifying.' Now I do not know whether it is imposing too much meaning upon...
Thesaurus
Testifying (35 Occurrences)... & vb. n.) of Testify. Multi-Version Concordance
Testifying (35 Occurrences). Matthew
26:62 The high priest stood up, and said to him, "Have you no answer?
...Exhorting (13 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Acts 2:40 Also with many more other words he wastestifying and exhorting,
saying, 'Be saved from this perverse generation;' (YLT NAS)....
Testify (110 Occurrences)
... John 5:32 another there is who istestifying concerning me, and I have known that
the testimony that he doth testify concerning me is true; (Root in YLT)....
Fully (153 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:5 And when both Silas and Timotheus came down from Macedonia, Paul was pressed
in the Spirit,testifying fully to the Jews Jesus the Christ; (YLT)....
Obtained (61 Occurrences)
... Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this
daytestifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets...
Solemnly (62 Occurrences)
... Christ. (WEY NAS). Acts 20:21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. (See NAS)....
True (305 Occurrences)
... John 5:32 another there is who istestifying concerning me, and I have known that
the testimony that he doth testify concerning me is true ; (WEB KJV WEY ASV...
Testified (65 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:4 by faith a better sacrifice did Abel offer to God than Cain, through
which he was testified to be righteous, Godtestifying of his gifts, and...
Testimonies (40 Occurrences)
Kittim (8 Occurrences)
... oldest etymology is apparently that of Josephus, who connects Kittim with the
well-known old Cypriote city Kition (Citium) (Ant., I, vi, 1),testifying to the...
Resources
Is it wrong to swear to God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Ten Commandments? What is the Decalogue? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is "You shall not give false testimony" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.orgTestifying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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