[1891] p. Iff. c. Harris.
WISE MEN.— See Magi,
WITNESS.— The idea of witness as related to Christ and His gospel plays an essential and highly important part in the NT writings and in the Christian faith and life universally. Not only in the primitive preaching, but also in all effectual preaching throughout the history of the Church, the gospel is conceived not as a speculative system, but as a tvitness to Jesus the Christ as being Him- self God's Witness to the world.
Among the NT writers none appears to have so definitely and fondly reflected upon the idea of witness as St. John. It is one of his 'leading- ideas.' In his Gospel (cf. Westcott, Speaker's Com. on 'St. John,' Introd.) he mentions a seven- fold witness to Christ: the witness (1) of the Father (5*^-3'), (2) of the Son (8" 183^), (3) of His works (10--5 538), (4) ^f ^\^q Scriptures (5='»-^«), (5) of the forerunner (V b^^), (6) of the disciples (IS^^ 19^5)^ (7) of the Spirit (I52® 16"). In view, hoM'ever, of the unique significance of the Person of Christ, and in harmony with the method of the NT preaching, it will be most aj^propriate to consider our subject under these two heads : — I. The wit- ness of Jesus Christ the Son, supported by the witness of the Father and of the Spirit. II. The witness of the disciples to Jesus Christ the Son
WITNESS
WITNESS
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of God, supported by tlie witness of the Holy Spirit.
1. The witness of Jesus, supported by
TUE WITNESS OF THE FaTUER AND OF THE
Spirit. — 1. Jesus' personal witness. — His first discijjles Jesus gathered about Himself through the power of the truth wliich He spoke and of His own Personality, so marvelloiisly at one with His word. He did not begin with declarations about Himself. He came to make the Father known. He came fuliilling, in word and deed, tlie Law and the Prophets. He preached repentance and inward rigliteousness. With a wealth of light He set forth the nature of the Kingdom of God. But, in all this Jesus spoke as witness. He was conscious of an immediate, intimate, and unique fellowsliip with tlie Father, and out of this con- sciousness He spoke (Mt IP', Jn S'l lO^s W> IV^- ^5 ; see also art. Consciousness). The tone and manner of spiritual authority permeated all that He said and did from His earliest teaching to His sublime declaration before Pilate, and even to His words upon the cross (cf. esp. Mt 5-7, Jn 18^' 19^", Lk ll^^--*"). But this consciousness of speaking as witness finds also distinct and emphatic expression in His word (cf. esp. Jn 8'-*^').
While Jesus' witne.ss was primarily concerning the Fatiier, — He even denied in a certain sense that He bore witness of Himself (Jn 5^^, — it is yet certain that He also bore witness of Himself (cf. esp. Jn S^'* 18^'' 14^). Jesus testifies of Himself as the Way. This testimony is unmistakable and unqualified. And yet the method of this witness was chiefly indirect or by way of necessary im- plication. He appealed to the Father's testimony concerning Him, or else silently waited till it should be brought to light. And when the revelation from the Fatiier protlueed in the disciples a believing confession of His Son, Jesus clearly accepted and sanctioned tliat confession (e.c/. Mt 16^''"-'*).
2. The witness of the Father to Jesus includes both tlie personal, inward testimony to Jesus Him- self, which resulted in His full consciousness as Messiah and Son (see art. Con.sciousness), and all the works of (iod preparatory to and accompanying the life of Jesus Christ on earth designed to lead men to the certainty of faith in Him as Redeemer and Lord. Under this head we note: (1) The witness of the Scriptures (cf. esp. Jn 5^^ Lk 24^', Ac 10"*'). Tliis must be taken in the most real sense .and yet not narrowly. The OT is full of the Messianic hope, and tliat iiope was inspired by God. Jesus was steeped in the Scriptures, and He under- stood the tilings in tlieni concerning Himself. We iiave no longer reason to insist upon a scheme of minute prediction and fulfilment, and yet we still affirm that Jesus is not to be iinderstood otherwise than as the Fulfiller of the I^aw and the Prophets. (For a fuller discussion of this point see art. FUL- FILMENT. Cf. also Valeton, Christ us unci das AT • and Kahler, Jesus unci das AT).
(2) The witness of John as a propiiet of God (cf. esp. Jn V- 8' ^5- 1""'- 5*') is manifestly closely related to that of the Scriptures ; but John is, of course, more specific tiian the earlier prophets could be. John's witness Jesus acce])ts as having a very real significance, for He regiirds it not as the witness of man merely, but as ins])ired of (Jod.
(3) The witness of the. works (cf. esp. Jn 5^"*^® 1037. 38 1410. 11^ xn 222-2J). Tiie works are a testimony from tiie I'^ather ; for Jesus declares : ' The Father abiding in me doetli liis works.' It would, doubt- less, be a grave mistake to regard Christ's word, ' The works m liicli the Father hath given me to accomplish, tlie very works that 1 do, bear witness of me, that the Father hatii sent me,' as meaning only His miracles. The testimony of the works issues from His whole life and ministry. His whole life-