Basic HTML Version
A False Witness
Once discovered, false witnesses were to be severely punished:
Deuteronomy 19:16-18 “If a false witness (
who proposes harm or violence
) rises
against any man to testify against him of wrong doing, then both men in the
controversy shall STAND BEFORE THE LORD, before the priests and the
judges who serve in those days. And the judges shall make careful inquiry,
and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against
his brother, then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his
brother; so you shall put away the evil from among you.”
False Witnesses Brought Against Jesus Christ
Fabricated lies were used against Jesus Christ by the Sanhedrin who sought and used
witnesses to try and justify their ruling of murdering Him.
Matthew 26:59-60 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council
sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.
Even though many false witnesses came, they found none.
Mark 14:56 For many bore false witness but their testimonies did not agree.
Because of His awesome love and mercy with the future in mind (
John 3:16-17),
before
Jesus Christ died on the tree, He asked for forgiveness for those who were responsible
for His terrible beating, His crucifixion, and death (
Luke 23:34
).
A Grave Offense by Lying to the Holy Spirit
By lying to God’s apostle on the full selling of their property for the use of God’s newly
baptized and converted people, Ananias and Sapphira, died for having lied to the
Apostle Peter in a Church context, leadership of God’s Church, amounted to lying to God
who had given His Spirit to these leaders (
I Thessalonians 4:8
).
Acts 5:1-11 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware
of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostle’s feet. But Peter
said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to LIE to the Holy Spirit and
keep back part of the price of the land for yourself. . . . you have not LIED to
men but to God.” Then Ananias hearing these words, fell down and
breathed his last . . .
This should instill reverent fear of God never to knowingly and deliberately lie to His
true ministers or anyone.
18