Skip to main content

"We Speak That We Do Know," John 3:11

I have been much impressed by this passage of scripture which creates a doctrinal foundation for bearing witness of or testifying of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The full context of the scripture comes from a conversation that the Savior had with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler among the Jews of the day.

Christ explains to him the very well know and oft repeated doctrine of being born again, stating "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (verse 5)  He tells Nicodemus to not wonder about this particular statement, but still Nicodemus is compelled to ask "How can these things be?" (verse 9) Gently reproaching this leader, the Savior asks "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"(verse 10)

Immediately, the Master Teacher then goes on to explain why he would ask such a reproving question. He states "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen;" (verse 11). Here it is in simplest terms, The things which Christ was teaching Nicodemus were things that Christ had a knowledge of. What's more his probing question suggested that Nicodemus, though not a God, should also have had a knowledge of the things which Jesus taught. Thus the standard for teaching by testimony (or a knowledge of things experienced) is established.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints this is a commonly established practice. I find this statement of the Savior validating as to why we do things the way we do. We do not speak out of mere belief or hope of things to come. We testify of things experienced – actual knowledge of real events witnessed.

The New Testament is replete with additional verses of scripture (especially the book of John) about the importance of having a testimony of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. Consider these verses:
  • "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." (John 7:17)
  • "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
  • "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)
This last verse in particular strikes me as important. Why would eternal life (salvation) be based upon a testimony or sure knowledge of God? We are sent into this world from a loving God to learn to walk by faith. The ultimate test of our ability to do so is that, having no physical evidence given to us, we still learn to trust in God and in the promptings of the Holy Spirit, to receive a true witness of things not seen. These unseen things are none the less things that are real and true, the greatest of which are God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.

That's enough for today, but here's a video that helps to illustrate the dialogue between the Savior and Nicodemus.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Let Your Light So Shine," Matthew 5:3-16

Matthew 5:3-16 These verses are ringing out in my ears this morning as a cry for repentance. Alma 60:23 - "...Remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." Revisiting these brief statements of hope, I paused on "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." The Savior doesn't offer much explanation on how this would happen or why or anything of the sort. But then I cross referenced footnotes until I arrived at Isaiah 60:20 . I went back and read the entire chapter. Doing so, it becomes clearly evident that those who ever had cause to mourn, will -- in some great future day-- never have cause to mourn again. Understanding this also gives pause to lessen the pains of present challenges. -------- This brings us to consider one of the great oxymorons of  Christ's teachings: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and gl...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mark 12 - The Final Week, At the Temple in Jerusalem

Mark 12 Here are a collection of videos that depict some of the exchanges between the Savior and those he encountered while teaching in the temple that final week before his suffering, death, and Resurrection. Render unto Caesar and unto God The Greatest Commandment The Widow's Mite
Post a Comment
Read more

"Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?," John 5

John 5 Christ is found at Jerusalem during an important time of the year according to Jewish tradition. He conducts himself to a place where a great number of the sick are found, and address a man who had been in that place for many years now (38 years). The question that he asks is soul stirring for it has multiple layers of meaning: "Wilt thou be made whole?" ( vs. 6 ) Jesus heals the man and then commands him to pick up his bed and carry it away from that place. It so happened to be the Jewish sabbath, and the act of carrying a bed was considered to be a violation of the sabbath. When questioned why he was carrying his bed, the healed man responded, "He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk" Later, Jesus finds the man in the temple and admonishes him, "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." ( vs. 14 ) The man that was healed, perhaps not fully understanding the malicious intent ...
Post a Comment
Read more