Witness of the Holy Spirit is Truth
Jump to: Torrey'sGreekLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the "Witness of the Holy Spirit is Truth" is deeply rooted in Christian theology and is integral to understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. This entry explores the biblical foundation and theological implications of this doctrine.

Biblical Foundation

The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is often associated with truth in the Scriptures. In the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the "Spirit of truth." John 14:17 states, "the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." This passage highlights the intimate relationship between the believer and the Holy Spirit, who dwells within and guides them into all truth.

Further, in John 16:13 , Jesus promises, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come." This guidance into truth is a fundamental aspect of the Holy Spirit's ministry, ensuring that believers are led in accordance with God's will and revelation.

Theological Implications

The witness of the Holy Spirit as truth is essential for the assurance of salvation and the believer's confidence in the veracity of the Gospel. Romans 8:16 affirms, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." This internal testimony of the Holy Spirit provides believers with a profound sense of belonging and identity in Christ, confirming the truth of their adoption into God's family.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit's role in revealing truth is crucial for the interpretation and understanding of Scripture. 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 explains, "But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." This passage underscores the necessity of the Holy Spirit in discerning the truths of God, which are otherwise inaccessible to human wisdom.

Practical Application

In the life of a believer, the witness of the Holy Spirit as truth manifests in several ways. It provides discernment in distinguishing truth from falsehood, especially in a world filled with conflicting ideologies and teachings. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to stand firm in their faith, as seen in Ephesians 6:17 , "And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Additionally, the Holy Spirit's witness encourages believers to live in truth, reflecting the character of Christ in their daily lives. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These attributes are evidence of the Spirit's work in conforming believers to the truth of God's nature.

In summary, the witness of the Holy Spirit as truth is a foundational doctrine that assures believers of their salvation, guides them in understanding Scripture, and empowers them to live in accordance with God's will. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are continually drawn into a deeper relationship with the truth, which is ultimately found in Jesus Christ, who declared, "I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6).
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 John 5:6
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... Nothing quite like this two-fold witness appears elsewhere ... thing wrought in us by
the Holy Spirit" (Wm ... ie Credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k
Library

The Internal Witness of the Holy Spirit
... "But that attesting witness of the ... and brought forward by Himself, and instructed
in his truth. ... is impressed on this instrument by the Holy Spirit, in these ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/9 the internal witness of.htm

The Personality of the Holy Spirit.
... you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth ... verse between the
testimony of the Holy Spirit and the ... to whom He has borne His witness, for we ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter i the personality of.htm

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
... John 15:26""The Spirit of truth ... ... things; and so is also the Holy Ghost." It is
the work of the Holy Spirit to constantly bear witness of Christ ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the holy.htm

John Chapter xv. 26, 27
... such a witness-bearing for Christ, and unlocked those lips that in their previous
tremor had suppressed the truth, that, when all on whom the Holy Spirit had ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xcii john chapter xv.htm

The Witness of the Spirit
... I lay it down as an undoubted truth, the fruit of ... will find no difficulty in allowing
the witness of his ... Your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to them ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 11 the witness of.htm

On Grieving the Holy Spirit
... and vanity, and to stand by, and be a witness of our ... The truth of this, almost all
who have ever tasted of the good gifts of the Holy Spirit must have ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 138 on grieving the.htm

He Brings Forward the Witness of God the Father to the Divinity of ...
... He is God, and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him ... of its Lord: nor would the
Holy Ghost have ... Himself is a sufficiently satisfactory witness concerning our ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xvi he brings forward.htm

The Witness of the Spirit
... of the grace of God's Gospel, no holy desire, no ... sign of a higher origin, and is
not the witness of God's ... heart, and becomes his cry, comes from God's Spirit. ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the witness of the spirit.htm

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
... Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Joel bear undeniable witness to the ... the still future coming
of the Holy Spirit: "I will ... abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiv the outpouring of the.htm

The Holy Spirit and the World.
... Of this the Holy Spirit bore witness in words and by miracles. ... The Spirit of truth
will guide them into all truth; the Holy Spirit will not be sent to ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the holy spirit and the.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about a false witness? | GotQuestions.org

What is the fourfold witness? | GotQuestions.org

How can I be an effective witness for Christ in a lost world? | GotQuestions.org

Witness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Witness

Witness by Laying Hands on the Accused

Witness of Instruction in Righteousness

Witness of the Holy Spirit is Truth

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Borne Against all Unbelievers

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Borne to Christ in Heaven

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Borne to Christ: As Coming to Redeem and Sanctify

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Borne to Christ: As Exalted to be a Prince and Saviour to Give Repentance,

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Borne to Christ: As Foretold by Himself

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Borne to Christ: As Messiah

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Borne to Christ: As Perfecting Saints

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Borne to Christ: On Earth

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Given to Saints: As an Evidence of Adoption

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Given to Saints: As an Evidence of Christ in Them

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Given to Saints: As an Evidence of God in Them

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Given to Saints: On Believing

Witness of the Holy Spirit: Given to Saints: To Testify to Them of Christ

Witness of the Holy Spirit: The Faithful Preaching of the Apostles Accompanied By

Witness of the Holy Spirit: The First Preaching of the Gospel Confirmed By

Witness of the Holy Spirit: To be Implicitly Received

Witness of the Spirit

Witness: Corrupted by Money

Witness: General Scriptures Concerning

Witness: Incorruptible

Witness: Qualified by Oath

Witness: Required to Throw the First Stone in Executing the Sentence

Witness: To Marriage

Witness: To the Transfer of Land

Witness: Two Necessary to Establish a Fact

Related Terms

Eye-witness (2 Occurrences)

Joint-witness (1 Occurrence)

Witnessed (21 Occurrences)

Bare (250 Occurrences)

Truthful (12 Occurrences)

Ed (1 Occurrence)

Breatheth (8 Occurrences)

Bears (62 Occurrences)

Bore (221 Occurrences)

Testifies (19 Occurrences)

Martyr (2 Occurrences)

Pours (21 Occurrences)

Bearing (150 Occurrences)

Belief (61 Occurrences)

Borne (172 Occurrences)

Breathing (25 Occurrences)

Witnesses (69 Occurrences)

Testifier (1 Occurrence)

Married (152 Occurrences)

Commands (216 Occurrences)

Attest (1 Occurrence)

Answerest (12 Occurrences)

Beareth (108 Occurrences)

Good-for-nothing (22 Occurrences)

Testified (65 Occurrences)

Evidence (41 Occurrences)

Trustworthy (30 Occurrences)

Rises (56 Occurrences)

Testify (110 Occurrences)

Bear (425 Occurrences)

Statement (88 Occurrences)

Appointed (385 Occurrences)

Witnessing (11 Occurrences)

Tells (38 Occurrences)

Complete (246 Occurrences)

Appeal (30 Occurrences)

False.

Record (71 Occurrences)

Falsely (72 Occurrences)

Thessalonians (6 Occurrences)

Aught (52 Occurrences)

Testimony (175 Occurrences)

Yours (226 Occurrences)

Approval (75 Occurrences)

False (303 Occurrences)

Deceive (48 Occurrences)

Vouch (1 Occurrence)

Authority (326 Occurrences)

Wrinkles (1 Occurrence)

Witnesseth (2 Occurrences)

Infamy (8 Occurrences)

Investigate (11 Occurrences)

Inquisition (5 Occurrences)

Inquiry (15 Occurrences)

Investigation (6 Occurrences)

Deny (48 Occurrences)

Finish (35 Occurrences)

Testifieth (13 Occurrences)

Thorough (7 Occurrences)

Malicious (13 Occurrences)

Mouths (86 Occurrences)

Prophet's (22 Occurrences)

Proves (11 Occurrences)

Paul's (34 Occurrences)

Protest (37 Occurrences)

Brother-servant (2 Occurrences)

Breather (2 Occurrences)

Bribe (27 Occurrences)

Courage (74 Occurrences)

Agreed (31 Occurrences)

Attestation (1 Occurrence)

Antipas (1 Occurrence)

Azazel (3 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

Spreads (31 Occurrences)

Swearing (17 Occurrences)

Saves (19 Occurrences)

Deceit (160 Occurrences)

Witness of Integrity
Top of Page
Top of Page