Bible Matters 459 Undeniable Truth

God’s word doesn’t mean anything, unless you want to know the truth.  Man has found a way to distort God’s word into doctrine that is far from the true meaning of God’s word.  Man has known how to get the truth, but there is no money to be made by teaching the truth.   Jesus knew that Peter would deny him when confronted by those that wished Jesus to be put to death.  That message is contained in the four gospels.  Of those four gospels, Mark reports that Jesus said before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me thrice.

Mark 14:30 – And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

The other three witnesses reported that Jesus said before the cock crows, you shall deny me thrice. (Matthew 26:34; Luke 22:34; John 13:38)

John 13:38 – Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

You never heard Mark’s testimony of Peter denying Jesus.  In this case, the testimony of two or three witnesses (i.e. Matthew, Luke and John) was used to obtain the truth as commanded by God.  Peter denied to three witnesses that he was with Jesus.  After his resurrection, Jesus told Peter three times to feed his sheep.  God has made it clear that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses you will know the truth. Twelve times in the bible God tells you how to understand the truth in his word. (See Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15; 1 Kings 21:10; 1 Kings 21:13; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; 1 Corinthians 14:29; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 10:28; 1 Timothy 5:19; Revelations 11:3). 

Deuteronomy 17:6 – 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.

Deuteronomy 19:15 – One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

1 Kings 21:10 – And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

1 Kings 21:13 – And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

Matthew 18:16 – But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

John 8:17 – It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

1 Corinthians 14:29 – Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

2 Corinthians 13:1 – This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Hebrews 6:18 – That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Hebrews 10:28 – He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

1 Timothy 5:19 – Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Revelation 11:3 – And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Paul was so confident that his messages would be abused that he specifically told Timothy how to get the truth out of God’s word.

2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Let’s breakdown this verse:

Scripture – The word is used either in the singular or plural number, to denote the sacred writings or divine oracles, called sacred or holy, as proceeding from God and containing sacred doctrines and precepts.

Inspiration – The infusion of ideas into the mind by the Holy Spirit; the conveying into the minds of men, ideas, notices or monitions by extraordinary or supernatural influence; or the communication of the divine will to the understanding by suggestions or impressions on the mind, which leave no room to doubt the reality of their supernatural origin.

Profitable – Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative; as a profitable trade; profitable business; a profitable study or profession.

Doctrine – The truths of the gospel in general. 

Reproof – To refute; to disprove.  Blame expressed to the face; censure for a fault; reprehension.

Correction – The act of correcting; the act of bringing back, from error or deviation, to a just standard, as to truth, rectitude, justice or propriety; as the correction of opinions or manners.

Instruction – The act of teaching or informing the understanding in that of which it was before ignorant; information.  Precepts conveying knowledge.

Righteousness – Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.

 Paul tells you that you must know how to read, compare, correct and follow God’s word for the truth and instruction on righteousness.  The only way to achieve this is by using the of preponderance of evidence from the testimony of the witnesses.  Do not lean on your own understanding in a single verse from the bible.  Do not be afraid to read and compare. God will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-7 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Once you know the truth in God’s word, then you don’t stop there.  Your walk with the Lord God, gives him the glory and being fruitful in every good work.  To keep his commandments and live.

Colossians 1:10 KJV – That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Proverbs 4:4 – He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

God hated the robbery of one’s sinful life, by living for burnt offerings and constantly being engulfed in your sins. 

Isaiah 61:8 – For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

Forget all that you’ve known or practiced in man’s churches.  God wanted nothing to do with man’s churchianity, the temples giving man the glory and acts of religion.  Jesus came with a message of love not just from two or three witnesses, but from all eight witnesses.  The preponderance of evidence is overwhelming.  In a court of law, the decision would be unanimous.  Do all you can do from this point forward to please God, do his will and live his gospel of Love from the heart.  Do not look back.  God’s gospel of Love brought to the earth by Jesus is simple.   The “Undeniable truth” starts with the understanding God’s word from the testimony of the eight witnesses.

•      Believe in one God

•      Repent of your sins and surrender to God.

•      Judge no one

•      Love God

•      Love your Neighbor

•      Keep yourself in the love of God, unto eternal life

Jude 1:21 – Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.