2006-08-26 19:31:34 · 13 answers · asked by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just wondering what your personal understanding of the concept and word use is.
2006-08-26 19:41:12 · update #1
It's just like in a court of law. If you're called to be a witness of an event, you testify to what you saw. In other words, you are witnessing. I'm guessing you're referring to Christianity, so a Christian testifies about what they have seen Jesus do in their life and the lives of others, they are witnessing.
2006-08-26 19:37:05 · answer #1 · answered by Harold 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cause this is a church state and the relationship to the legal system is not inverse as far as a need to believe an accuser!
Middle English, from Old English, from wit, knowledge. See wit1
origin of the word is only to old English at dictionary.com
really that's an interesting question...
has any research been done on the history of this word as used to testify to one's religious beliefs?
Wouldn't it be amusing if this usage was only approx. 120 - 130 years old?
2006-08-29 00:05:07 · answer #2 · answered by DM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because that what it is...you are providing a witness to the power and love of our Savior.
When you go to a trial, the witnesses are part of the evidence. The life I lead, the things that I do, my speech and attitudes all attest to the saving grace that God gave to me...I'm on the stand every day, and I love it.
2006-08-27 02:38:00 · answer #3 · answered by stronzo5785 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll second what Harold and others have said, but I'll add that the word rendered "witness," the Greek word "marturia," was also the root for the word "martyr" as many who bore witness (testified) about Christ were also killed for their faith.
2006-08-27 03:17:48 · answer #4 · answered by Pastor Chad from JesusFreak.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are supposed to tell what they have experienced (witnessed). We usually think of a witness as an EYEwitness but a person can witness what they heard, smelled, felt, etc.
2006-08-27 02:36:33 · answer #5 · answered by Kuji 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As in seeing..like a witness is someone who sees something so a witness is someone who has seen the testimony of Jesus typically.
2006-08-27 02:34:26 · answer #6 · answered by bombhaus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's from old english - the word "wit" as in knowledge....when you "witness" something, you are getting first-hand knowledge of what has happened.
2006-08-27 02:34:16 · answer #7 · answered by Tammy O 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It should not be called SOUL WINNNING, because we don't win the souls... it is called witnessing because we are witnessing "testifying" of OUR faith in the Lord. We witness to others about what Christ has done in OUR lives.
2006-08-27 02:33:53 · answer #8 · answered by musingaloud 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Witnessing is like when two or more Christians get together and plan to tell God about how good each other is so they all get into heaven no matter whether they were real sleaze balls hear on earth.
2006-08-27 02:47:23 · answer #9 · answered by valcus43 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because once youve witnessed the power of his glory you just have to share! Peace! :)
2006-08-27 02:37:01 · answer #10 · answered by helives11_112001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋