The recent tragedy inflicted upon many families by two snipers brought attention to the role of eye and ear witnesses. (Oct. 2-24, ten killed and three wounded.) Unfortunately, in this case they were not very helpful and even held in disdain because one did not tell the truth. The Bible warns about the punishment from God upon one who bears false witness. It is one of the seven things listed in Proverbs 6:16-19 that God hates. It is so hurtful because someone’s life may be hanging in the balance. At the mouth of two or three witnesses, a man could be put to death for a crime under the Old Testament. We also remember that false witnesses testified against Jesus. False witnesses misled the police who were tracking the snipers.

One commentator during this crisis said that forensic evidence was necessary and indispensable in criminal cases because of the weakness of eyewitnesses. It is true, of course, that people can think that they saw something or heard something, but their reports may not be accurate. Human recollection of events and descriptions are often incomplete and inaccurate.

But what about the role of eye and ear witnesses in Scripture. They obviously play a significant role in our faith. In fact, our faith is based at least in part upon what eyewitnesses reported.

"When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." (2 Thess. 1:10.)

Before giving the New Testament references on the role of eyewitnesses, think about the foundation laid in the Law of Moses. There are some helpful descriptions given about eyewitnesses.

Two or three witnesses were required. "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death, but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death." (Deut. 17:6.)

Why did the Law require more than one eye or ear witness? The reason is obvious. It collaborates the testimony of the others. One person could be mistaken about what they saw or heard. It is not as likely that two or three would make the same mistake. One might not see so well due to age (no prescription glasses in those days either!). Circumstances may have kept one from seeing the incident so clearly. But two or three confirms the report.

This requirement existed because human witnesses were almost the only way to establish the truth about what happened in that day. In the 21^st century, we rely more upon scientific methods than upon humans. In ancient cultures, they did not have finger printing methods or a forensic team to work on the case. They depended more upon humans; we depend more upon scientific methods.

Jesus said, "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true." (John 5:31.) That is, one witness is not sufficient. He said that John the Baptist bore witness of Him as well, and the works that the Father hath given to Him bear witness. (5:32, 36.) These are the two and three witnesses for Jesus.

The witnesses cast the first stones. "The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shall put the evil away from among you." (Deut. 17:7.)

This put a heavy responsibility upon the witnesses. Can you stone this person with a clear conscience? Are you sure that he is guilty? It is easier for a jury to find someone guilty and then leave the punishment to someone else. Jesus once put the burden upon some accusers of a woman caught in adultery (they did not bring the man). "Ye that are without sin cast the first stone." (John 8:7.) That is another way of saying, If your conscience is clear, then go ahead and stone her. They all walked away from the eldest to the youngest.

A solemn command. One of the Ten Commandments says, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." (Exodus 20:16, Deut. 5:20.) What if someone broke this commandment? What was the penalty? There were many people who were put to death at the voices of false witnesses. Jezebeel had false witnesses to testify against the innocent Naboth in order for her husband the king to obtain his vineyard illegally. (1 Kings 21:10.) They said that Naboth blasphemed God and the king. Jesus had false witnesses to testify against him. Their testimony did not even agree. (Mark 14:55-60.) God brought a heavy judgment against all such witnesses.

"Thou shalt not raise a false report; put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment. Keep thee far from a false matter, and the innocent and righteous slay thou not; for I will not justify the wicked? (Exodus 23:1-2, 7.)

"Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause and deceive not with thy lips." (Prov. 24:28.)

Eye and ear witnesses in the New Testament play an important role in our faith and salvation. This goes far beyond the discussion of eyewitnesses under the Old Testament. Their reports provide the very foundation for Christianity and our faith.

Basis for faith in Christ. "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10:17.) This simple statement is filled with meaning and has profound implications about the kind of faith that God has provided in our salvation. God provided the evidence that produces our faith. Faith comes from hearing His Word.

"Him (Jesus) God raised up the third day and showed him openly, not to all the people but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he arose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead." (Acts 10:40-42.)

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life, (For the life was manifested and we have seen it and bear witness and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested unto us). That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that you also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full." (1 John 1:1-4.)

Concerning the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, Paul wrote, "And after that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that he was seen of James, then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me, as of one born out of due time." (1 Cor. 15:5-8.)

The nature of their testimony. It should be noted that we are not talking about something that happened in a few seconds. It is not like a shooting and trying to determine who did it. It is not a criminal case. Jesus lived for more than thirty years and was alive after his resurrection for forty days. The witnesses had ample time to see and hear Jesus Christ. They knew that he was crucified and buried. They saw him after he arose. Over five hundred saw him at one time! Witnesses are abundant. We have more than we need.

The witnesses are testifying to the nature of Jesus Christ, his divine nature, and his sinlessness. They are testifying about his teachings, what he said and what he did. They are affirming that he arose from the dead. This is the nature of their testimony.

Objective vs. subjective faith. In religious circles, we hear people misusing the words witness and testify. No one today has been chosen of God to bear witness or testify concerning the Gospel. No one today has seen or heard anything that establishes the truthfulness of Christianity. But those witnesses in Scripture did. Our faith is based upon objective evidence, not upon subjective feelings and personal experiences. No one should be asked to stand in a worship assembly and relate a salvation experience that supposedly shows that they are saved. Their testimony should not be the basis for the faith developed in others. Our faith should not stand on the testimony of anyone except the eye and ear witnesses of the New Testament.

We all obey the same Gospel, hear the same story of the cross, and respond out of love and faith. That is the kind of experience we should have. Like those on Pentecost, the Gospel pricks our hearts and we respond out of love. (John 14:15.)

Not everything has been seen or heard. The whole Gospel is not based upon eye and ear witnesses. Their testimony has had the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, but other things had to be revealed to them by the Spirit. There is both inspiration and revelation. (1 Cor. 2.) Some things in the Gospel are yet future and have not been seen by any man. The Hadean world is so called because it is the unseen world.

Paul argued that he did not receive his Gospel from the apostles that were before him.

"But I certify you brethren that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal. 1:11-12.) Paul is emphasizing that his message was not handed down to him from others. There is no danger that something was lost in the teaching-learning process from man to man. He received it directly by revelation from Jesus Christ. Paul, as an apostle, born out of due time, was not secondary to the other apostles. He was not dependent upon them for what he taught as the apostle to the Gentiles. The message of all the apostles agreed. The conference in Acts 15 shows that each apostle was preaching the same thing about the Gentiles---what they needed to do for salvation.

Our confidence and faith is not in man for our salvation. Jeremiah wrote, "Cursed is the man that trusts in man, whose arm is flesh, and whose heart departs from the Lord." (Jer. 17:5.) Man is a co-laborer with God. (1 Cor. 3:9.) But our faith does not rest upon man. Our hope is not through man, but Jesus our Lord.