Topical Bible: Titles and Names of Christ: Faithful Witness

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Topical Encyclopedia

The title "Faithful Witness" is one of the many profound names attributed to Jesus Christ, reflecting His role in revealing the truth of God to humanity. This title is prominently found in the book of Revelation, where it underscores Christ's reliability and truthfulness in His testimony about God and His divine purposes.

Biblical References:

1. Revelation 1:5 : "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood." In this passage, Jesus is introduced as the "faithful witness," highlighting His unwavering commitment to truth and His role in revealing God's will and character to the world. His faithfulness is linked with His love and redemptive work, emphasizing the trustworthiness of His testimony.

2. Revelation 3:14 : "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation." Here, Christ is described as the "faithful and true Witness," affirming His reliability and the authenticity of His message. The use of "Amen" and "Originator of God’s creation" further establishes His authority and foundational role in the divine order.

Theological Significance:

The title "Faithful Witness" encapsulates the essence of Christ's mission on earth. As the ultimate revealer of God's truth, Jesus embodies the perfect witness who testifies to the reality of God's kingdom, His nature, and His redemptive plan for humanity. His witness is not only verbal but also demonstrated through His life, death, and resurrection.

In the context of the New Testament, a witness is someone who provides a truthful account of what they have seen or heard. Jesus, as the "Faithful Witness," provides the most accurate and complete revelation of God because He is both fully divine and fully human. His testimony is trustworthy because it is rooted in His divine nature and His intimate relationship with the Father.

Christ's Faithfulness:

Christ's faithfulness as a witness is evident in His obedience to the Father, even unto death. His life exemplifies perfect fidelity to God's will, making Him the ultimate model for believers. His faithfulness assures believers that His promises are reliable and that His teachings are true. This assurance is foundational for the Christian faith, as it provides confidence in the salvation He offers and the hope of eternal life.

Implications for Believers:

For Christians, the title "Faithful Witness" serves as a call to emulate Christ's example in their own lives. Believers are encouraged to be faithful witnesses in their testimony about Christ, living lives that reflect His truth and love. This involves a commitment to truthfulness, integrity, and a willingness to share the gospel with others, even in the face of adversity.

In summary, the title "Faithful Witness" is a profound testament to Christ's role as the ultimate revealer of God's truth. It affirms His reliability, authority, and the trustworthiness of His message, providing a foundation for the Christian faith and a model for believers to follow.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 1:5
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 3:14
And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things said the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

More Particularly, in what Respect Christ is Called the Truth.
... the Truth in this regard, that he fully answers all the titles and names which he ...
of grace in a believer, and his interest in God through Christ, and his ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xi more particularly in.htm

On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ...
... And He is called by two names, Jesus Christ; Jesus ... inspired Prophet Moses conferred
these two titles on two ... are His witnesses: is then the Christ thus witnessed ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture x on the clause.htm

Epistles to the Seven Churches.
... on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not ... mention of the Saviour by those titles,
which are ... of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/epistles to the seven churches.htm

The Benefits of Christ Made Available to us by the Secret ...
... Here it will be proper to point out the titles which the ... full vigor of life, he hence
obtains the names of "Oil ... our minds are intent on the Spirit, Christ is in ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 the benefits of.htm

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair ...
... heart, purpose and design; in which respect they get many titles, otherwise unsuitable ...
ornament worn by the high priest, so the names of Christ's elect were ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/fragrant spices from the mountains.htm

The Life of Mr. George Wishart.
... Upon which Lauder (repeating the several titles of the ... But the cardinal, in all their
names, answered, That ... died this faithful witness of Jesus Christ; he was ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr george.htm

The Revelation and Career of the Anti-Christ.
... contrast between Christ and the Anti-christ in their several names and titles but
the ... mark of all the prophecies which describe the Anti-christ, a mark by ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the revelation and career.htm

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John
... by the Same Method as the Other Titles of Christ. ... 27. Significance of the Names of
John and of His Parents ... The Prophets Bore Witness to Christ and Foretold Many ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/

New Testament History and Prophecy.
... look forward to the second coming of Christ, and set ... ten diadems, and on his heads
names of blasphemy. ... attributes, had been saluted with divine titles, and, in ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter x new testament history.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... for whereas they erroneously call it Christ, the light of Christ, faith, grace ... as
I have said, you glorify your errors also, with names and titles that are ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm