A witness is someone who sees an event and may be called on to talk about it.
A witness is called to testify to the truth. A witness has an influence on someone else's life. A witness may also suffer some consequences when they speak.
There is a woman in Finland who was a witness for the Truth as found in God's Word. She is now on trial for hate speech for sharing her belief. Romans 1:24-27 was the scripture that got her in trouble. I wonder if I would be so bold a witness that I would be willing to go jail?
Paivi Rasanen says she is defending her religious freedom. Read her story:
The Bible has a lot to say about witnesses:
Isaiah 43:10
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.
John 5:39 ESV
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
Exodus 23:1 ESV
“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
Deuteronomy 17:6 ESV
On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
Proverbs 24:28 ESV
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
Proverbs 6:19 ESV
A false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 14:5 ESV
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
Proverbs 25:18 ESV
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Proverbs 12:17 ESV
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
1 Timothy 5:19 ESV
Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
Psalm 27:12 ESV
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
Leviticus 5:1 ESV
“If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity;
Joshua 24:27 ESV
And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.”
Matthew 19:18 ESV /
He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,
Revelation 20:4 ESV
Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 1:7 ESV
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
Acts 1:8 ESV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”