Could you define “witness” for me? And locate the term in the Bible, if you will. (Hubby and I are having a discussion semi-sort of inspired by several posts.)
65 instances in the New testament KJV where the word witness is used.
Dictionary definitions for the word witness
In evangelical use "to "Witness" to someone is specifically to bear witness of Jesus Christ as your savior.
That was the easy part.
The most Famous witnessing event in the Bible is while on the
road to Emmaus, some of the disciples meet the resurrected lord, and
their hearts burn within them.
Many assume this burning in the bosom is the only witness that Momrons believe in this is not true, witnesses from God can be as individual as the people receiving the witness and will be exactly what you need, even if you don't think so at the time. Joseph saw God the father and Jesus Christ just as Stephen did.
I have seen witnesses come from completely unexpected sources, like people stopping and saying something that is completely out of character for them, but it answered a prayer, later the person who stopped does not even remember doing it.
My personal witness is very special to me and I know if I share it here it will just be made fun of. Suffice it to say that I did not have a burning in my bosom, and what I was told was a very specific answer to a very specific prayer, and actually a little humorous (God really does have a sense of humor). I have found that the more specific you are in your prayers, the more specific God will be in his answers, but that's just my experience, and not a doctrinal point. My witness was so specific it had to come from someone with a knowledge of my questions (which Satan would not have), and it contained both a witness of the Book of Mormon and of Jesus Christ (thus fulfilling the requirements found in
first john 4:2 to be authenticated as a message from God) I did not even know the requirements at the time, but found them later. Thus I know that my witness, maybe I should say my "first witness" was of God. There have been many others. As a missionary, I was called to go to Taiwan, Mandarin Chinese speaking, I had taken French German and Spanish in high school and after trying all three, the teachers all got together to tell me that language was NOT my thing. I learned Chinese at a miraculous rate, was fluent in three months and found that if I did not know how to say something, I could just open my mouth and the right words would come out anyway. Several times I had to "go home" and look up what I had said to know how to answer a question the next time. I have blessed the sick and seen miraculous healings, I have seen visions, and been guided to souls who were praying for his gospel, my heart is full of the gratitude that comes from being blessed beyond all measure of any imaginings of worthiness that I might have had to the point where it's embarrassing. I have received more witnesses of the truthfulness of the Gospel than I could possibly recount.
I hope this has helped.
I would bear my testimony to you (another meaning of Witness) that Jesus is the Christ that he died for my sins and is the author of all salvation. If you have not yet cast your burdens on the lord I would exhort you to do so with all haste that you may bear a song away. I also Testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.
May god bless and keep you, may his knowledge and mercy distill upon you as the dews of heaven, and please ask me any other questions you feel to ask.
Amen.