In the judicial sense, evidence is required to confirm the testimony of a witness. In the lives of believers, practical evidence should be obvious as proof of the reality of their faith.
The Mosaic law required proof to be offered in various legal contexts
In giving testimony
Deuteronomy 19:15 See also Exodus 23:2; Leviticus 5:1; Deuteronomy 17:6
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
In acccusations of immorality
Deuteronomy 22:13–21 See also Numbers 5:11–31
In accusations of idolatry
If, regarding one of the cities the LORD your God is giving you to inhabit, you hear it said that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known), then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.
Evidence offered as proof of the gospel
The evidence of witnesses
2 Peter 1:16–18 See also Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:5–7; Hebrews 2:3–4; 1 John 1:1–3
For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
Believers' lives are to prove the reality of their faith
John 15:8 See also Matthew 25:31–46; Acts 26:20; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 8:24
This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.
Evidence and signs given as proof
Looking for signs of the will of God
Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said, then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew — a bowlful of water.
The signs of Jesus Christ as a basis of faith
Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
Jesus Christ's criticism of those who demanded other signs
Matthew 16:4 The “sign of Jonah” is a reference to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.