the mouth of two or three witnesses
William MacDonald teaches that biblical justice requires the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish truth and avoid injustice in judgment.
In this teaching sermon, William MacDonald explores the biblical principle that valid judgment requires the testimony of two or three witnesses. Using examples from Scripture, including David’s error with Ziba and Mephibosheth and Jesus’ own multiple witnesses, MacDonald emphasizes the importance of fairness and thoroughness in making decisions. Listeners are encouraged to follow God’s Word to avoid injustice and relational harm.
Text
“…that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (Matt. 18:16).
As far as the Bible is concerned, there must be the testimony of two or three witnesses in order to form a valid judgment. If we would only observe this principle, we would save ourselves oceans of trouble.
The natural tendency for us is to hear one person’s side of a case and to immediately decide in his favor. He sounds convincing and our sympathies go out to him. Then later we learn that his was only one side of the story. When we hear the other side, we realize that the first man had distorted the facts or at least colored them in his own favor. Thus, “the first to plead his case seems just until another comes and examines him” (Prov. 18:17, NASB). When we make a decision before trying to ascertain the full facts, we act less righteously than the world’s judicial system and place ourselves under the censure of Prov. 18:13 NASB, “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.”
When Ziba reported to David that Mephibosheth hoped to gain the throne, David accepted the slander without investigation and gave all of Mephibosheth’s property to Ziba (2 Sam. 16:1-4). Later Mephibosheth had a chance to tell the king the true facts. David then realized that he had made a decision without having sufficient evidence.
The Lord Jesus recognized this principle. He said that His testimony concerning Himself was not sufficient (John 5:31). So He presented the testimony of four witnesses: John the Baptist (vv. 32-35); His works (v. 36); God, the Father (vv. 37, 38); the Scriptures (vv. 39, 40).
By failing to obtain the competent testimony of two or three witnesses, we can cause broken hearts, ruined reputations, divided churches and severed friendships. If we follow God’s Word, we will avoid tons of injustice and human hurt.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The biblical principle of two or three witnesses
- The danger of accepting one-sided testimony
- Proverbs warnings against premature judgment
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II
- David’s mistake with Ziba and Mephibosheth
- The consequences of hasty decisions
- The importance of verifying facts
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III
- Jesus’ example of multiple witnesses to His identity
- John the Baptist, Jesus’ works, God the Father, and Scripture as witnesses
- The insufficiency of a single testimony
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IV
- The practical impact of ignoring this principle
- Avoiding broken hearts and divided churches
- Following God’s Word to ensure justice
Key Quotes
“That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (Matt. 18:16)” — William MacDonald
“He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him. (Prov. 18:13)” — William MacDonald
“By failing to obtain the competent testimony of two or three witnesses, we can cause broken hearts, ruined reputations, divided churches and severed friendships.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Always seek multiple perspectives before making important judgments.
- Avoid rushing to conclusions based on one-sided information.
- Follow biblical principles to promote fairness and prevent division.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'the mouth of two or three witnesses' mean?
It means that biblical truth or judgment must be established by the testimony of multiple witnesses, not just one person.
Why is it important to have multiple witnesses according to the Bible?
Multiple witnesses help prevent false judgments and ensure fairness by confirming facts from different perspectives.
How did David fail in applying this principle?
David accepted Ziba’s report without hearing Mephibosheth’s side, leading to an unjust decision.
How did Jesus demonstrate the principle of multiple witnesses?
Jesus cited John the Baptist, His works, God the Father, and Scripture as four witnesses to validate His identity.
What are the consequences of ignoring this biblical principle?
Ignoring it can cause broken relationships, injustice, and division within the church and community.