In Matthew 18, verses 15-20, Jesus reveals a protocol for resolving conflict. The second step, presented in Matthew 18:16, reads:
“If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
This step has two possible applications:
The second application involves bringing one or two expert witnesses who can establish the truth based on factual evidence with regard to the dispute. Often the process of expert testimony clarifying “reality” helps disputing parties see more clearly so that reconciliation becomes possible.
The first and most common understanding involves bringing a neutral witness, such as a mediator, with you to observe the dispute resolution conversation. A mediator or community elder is a logical choice to be a witness. In this application, the mediator listens, observes, and facilitates the conversation as an active witness.
Men or women of goodwill welcome the opportunity to establish a baseline of truth. When their intentions are sound, they welcome the work of establishing a common ground or reality foundation.
Expert witness participation clears away obfuscating confusion and misunderstanding. Testimony exposes misinformation, deception, and manipulation planted by destructive hidden influences. Disputants see the situation more clearly. Reconciliation soon follows.
However, when a party does not intend to reconcile in good faith, when they come to the table intending to deceive, trick, or mislead the other party, then expert witness testimony will expose their lack of good faith. It soon becomes clear they seek to manipulate and deceive.
The two applications of the Matthew 16 protocol should be combined. A neutral mediator who facilitates the dialogue should be joined by an expert witness presenting an accurate account of facts, evidence in play.
In today’s world, attempts to manipulate, deceive, coerce, and confuse are rampant. With this in mind, it pays to carefully plan the second step of the process, “bring a witness.”
COVID CRIMES: A Witness, featuring Dr. Richard Fleming
A perfect example of applying Matthew 18:16 can be found in this expert witness video affidavit featuring Dr. Richard Fleming.
Fleming, a medical researcher, under oath, provides testimony regarding the nature and origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID.
Fleming also speaks to the COVID vaccines, explaining their composition and health effects.
In any conflict regarding COVID, one should “Bring a Witness,” in this case Dr. Fleming, to provide a baseline of evidence that ties the conflict resolution process to a reality-based foundation.
Letter to the American Church, Eric Metaxas
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a witness, a prophetic witness, who sounded the alarm from the pulpit, warning of the horrors emerging from the Third Reich.
In sermon after prophetic sermon he bore witness to a horrible truth that demanded the attention of the clergy and the faithful. As so often happens with prophets, Bonhoeffer paid the ultimate price for speaking out—he gave his life at the hands of the Nazi regime.
How have we been persuaded to be silent in the face of evil?
With his new book, Letter to the American Church, Eric Metaxas brings a unique witness, the late Dietrich Bonhoeffer, to the Spiritual War in which we’ve become entangled.
As dark tyranny once again emerges from the mud of a Fallen World, Metaxas prays the Church will this time hear the words of Bonhoeffer, words that the faithful were unable to hear in the last century.
It can only be God—and our consciences guided by Him—that can determine what we should and shouldn’t say. So our total freedom—in and beyond our pulpits—is nonnegotiable.
We join in calling on the leaders of faith communities, the pastors of the American Church, to meet today’s conflict by bringing a witness. Matthew 18:16 provides the following instruction:
“If [your brother who sins against you] does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
If we do nothing when we see our culture being attacked in ways that will cause innumerable people to suffer, will not God hold us accountable?
In the face of rampant tyranny, it is time the Pastors of the American Church step forward and bring witness. It is time they enter the public square and confront those who would do evil in opposition to God’s Will.
… We have seen how many churches and church leaders hold back from speaking or acting. …during the COVID-19 pandemic, political figures decreed that churches were to be shuttered, and that the spiritual health of Americans was meaningless. If ever there was a shot heard round the world in our own time, that was it.
…during the recent pandemic, when churches were preposterously deemed “non-essential” by governors and mayors—while marijuana dispensaries and casinos and strip clubs remained open—many pastors behaved as though it was their Christian duty not to speak…
Eric Metaxas Interviews Naomi Wolf
On the Eric Metaxas Radio Show, Eric Metaxas interviewed Naomi Wolf about her Yale speech and mandatory Covid vaccinations.