1. Two or Three Witnesses New Testament References Matthew 18:16
2 Corinthians 13:1
1 Timothy 5:19
Hebrews 10:28
A Fundamental Principle found in Deut 19:15
Original readers (NT) grounded in Law of Moses

2. Deut 19:15 One witness shall not rise against What If one rises? = sin
Witness = spectator
Not Witness: John 5:31, 8:13
What If one rises? = sin
Covers “any iniquity or any sin”
Deut. 17:6 he shall not …of one witness.
Num. 35:30 one witness not sufficient

3. “Crime and Punishment”
Punishment not carried out less than 3 persons
1 Timothy 5:19 Reject Accusation
Witnesses must be examined
Deut 19: False Punished
Mark 14:56 testimony must agree
Crime must be “established”

4. Pitfalls - Misconceptions
Accusation requires the hearer(s) to find witnesses
Accusation = established truth
Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer…
Proverbs 18:17 The first one to plead …
The nature of sin determines the actions required – “We gotta do something”

5. Matt 18: 15-17 Basic Outline/Law
Proper Application
Matt 18: Basic Outline/Law
tell him his fault between you and him alone…
Acts 18:24-27 Approved Example
they took him aside….
The offender must be given the opportunity to make correction(s) with as little embarrassment as possible.

6. Matt 18:15
"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
If first “telling” is to anyone other than offending brother = Sin
No doubt about this sin
Must deal with it. Deut 19:18-19
Two offenses now exist

7. Matt 18:15 Options 1 Cor 6:4-7 Take wrong Proverbs 17:9 Cover
James 5:20 Personal turning
1 Peter 4:8 Fervent Love

8. Matt 18:16 Matt 18:16 …take with you Tell one or two more….
If second “Telling”- not offender and witnesses = sin
The primary purpose – “establish”
The order: before telling church

9. Satan’s Snares – The Hearer
Proverbs 18:8 potential Talebearer
Proverbs 18:13, 17 Jump to a conclusion
Proverbs 17:9 “…But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
Those told are placed in harm’s way

10. Difficulties: Deuteronomy 17:8
Too hard for you to judge
Degrees of guilt for bloodshed
One judgment or another
One punishment or another
Matters of controversy within your gates
Go up to the place which the LORD your God chooses

11. Deut. 1:17 Requirements You shall….
Not show partiality
Hear the small and the great
Not be afraid…man's
For the judgment is God's
Bring to me the hard cases
Consider only “established” matters

12. Two or Three Witnesses
The right of the accused is to be convicted at the mouth of two or three “witnesses”.
It is the right of the offender to resolve a matter with a minimum of embarrassment
Recognize Satan’s Snares
Recognize the Difficulties
Follow the Requirements
The Word of the Lord
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.