The Witness of the Spirit
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THE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT
By G. N. H. P., Springfield, Ohio.
From The Truth Magazine
As the witness of the Spirit, mentioned in Rom. 8:16, is highly important, and its possession conducive
to our happiness and hope, it deserves special consideration.
This is the more necessary, seeing that the most vague conceptions, unauthorized, mystical
interpretations, extravagant and unscriptural views, are based on the same; so that even true believers
are unnecessarily perplexed and troubled by the opinions expressed by others, fearing that their
religious experience does not meet the condition here imposed.
In the study of this interesting subject, two things are to be observed.
1. We must not allow ourselves to be influenced by mere human dogma, but permit the Scripture to
be its own interpreter of the meaning intended. No interpretation should be received, unless it is
supported by the analogy of Scripture teaching.
2. The personality of the Holy Spirit must be accepted. He is far more than a mere influence, or
divinely exerted energy. He is constantly spoken of in terms expressive of His personality. Thus the
personal pronoun is applied to Him; He is distinguished from, and yet co-joined with, Father and Son
in the formula of baptism and apostolic benediction; He is sent by the Father; He is conversant with the
things of God; He comes and acts as a personal agent in guiding, directing, testifying, convincing,
converting, speaking, interceding; He can be sinned against, blasphemed and grieved; He has a
complete knowledge of man, can punish sin, and bestow gifts. However mysterious and
incomprehensible (as everything relating to the Infinite must be to man), Deity is, the simple fact
remains, that the language of Scripture enforces the personality of the Spirit.
It is clear and decisive from the phraseology, “the Spirit itself (or, himself) beareth witness with our
spirit,” that the Spirit does something or performs some kind of work, which testifies to the self-
consciousness of the believer that He is divinely accepted as an adopted child of God. The question,
however, narrows itself down, what is this something or work by which the Spirit bears witness to us
personally? The answer to this question will be drawn from Scripture, leaving every one to judge for
himself respecting its correctness.
1. Not a few are misled by the word “witness,” and at once conclude, that some special act by the
Spirit is indicated, which is manifested by a supposed vision, or dream, or revelation, or voice, or
ecstatic feeling, or great light, or appearance of Jesus, etc., and this they imagine is the promised
witness of the Spirit, testifying to their adoption. But this witness is based on more solid ground, and
gives a far surer evidence, than mere suggestions, or visions, or raptures, or imagined inspirations and
trances. For the word “witness” is frequently used in Scripture, not as a direct personal testimony
given by one person to another, but as descriptive of a work performed or effects produced, which in
turn afford evidence, or testimony, or witness to the truth. As the Spirit bears witness in the works of
creation, in the lives of the ancient worthies, in the qualifications and endowments of Jesus, in the
guidance and labors of the apostles, so He likewise bears witness by His work on the human heart and
life, renewing and sanctifying. And of this work and its reality the spirit of the believer, his self-
consciousness, realizes as existing; for the moral change is too marked, the transition from
condemnation to justification too great, the implanting of love to God and of holiness too manifest, to
be ignored or set aside. The spirit of man having such evidences of the Spirit’s promised work,
without requiring other proof, finds the evidence, testimony, witness in himself, in his changed mind and
heart and life, which he receives by the aid of the Spirit; and it is this which assures him of being
accepted and adopted. No matter how unlearned the believer is, how limited his knowledge of divine
things, such a work of the Spirit bearing witness, his self-consciousness accepts and rejoices in , as e.
g., stated in 2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Cor. 2:12; 1 John 3:21; 5:10, etc.
2. The context confirms this interpretation. Paul had just asserted what the Spirit performs in behalf
of the believers; being led or influenced by the Spirit, being delivered from the bondage of sin by the
Spirit, being sheltered from wrath by faith in the blood of Jesus through the Spirit, being cognizant of
the reception of a filial and loving disposition imparted by the Spirit. Now in immediate connection he
adds: “The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God,” i.e.,
evidently, as the connection proves, shows to us by the change wrought in our hearts and lives, that by
His aid we are sons of God. The witness is in the transformation experienced, which appeals to our
self-consciousness, that we are renewed, that we have the spirit of children, that we are adopted.
3. Observe, that the Scriptures constantly and everywhere appeal to the character and life of the
believer to prove that he is divinely accepted. No where is stress laid on a special and personal
communication by the Spirit. The moral change effected and the godly life resulting, the disposition
imparted and the fruitage following, the principles implanted and the gracious affections arising from
them,—these are appealed to as evidence that we are the children of God; a testimony to others that
we are Christians. Having the mind of Christ by union with Him, bringing forth the fruitage of the Spirit,
and being “epistles of Christ, written not by ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of
stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart,” we have the witness in our own hearts, and our lives of piety
bear witness to others.
4. Two expressions occurring in Scripture greatly confirm the position here taken.
a. We are told (Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22) that we can have confidence and strong assurance
of divine acceptance, because we are “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” A certain work,
represented by the strongly significant “sealing” or “sealed” by the Spirit, is designated. As the seal
leaves its impression upon the heart of the believer, and this work of grace, stamped upon the soul by
the Spirit, gives witness or evidence that the recipient, no matter who he is or what his condition of life,
is a child of God. Surely such evidence is far more solidly based than mere suggestions or supposed
revelations.
b. This work, this moral change and given characteristics, impressed upon the believer, is called
“the earnest of the Spirit I our hearts” (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:14); and this “earnest of the Spirit given to
us” (2 Cor. 5:5), bestows a self-conscious knowledge, confidence, and assurance that we are indeed
the children of God. For it is a present pledge, a sure sign, that the future blessedness and glory
promised by the same Spirit shall be fully realized I perfected salvation. Now certainly such an abiding
testimony, constantly presented by a personal experience, is immensely preferable to a supposed
transient experience of a direct personal communication by the Spirit.
5. While thus explaining the Scriptural phrase “the witness of the Spirit,” we must be guarded, so as
not to be understood as limiting the power of the Holy Spirit. He has ready access to the spirit of man,
and He can, if fitting, or subservient to a purpose, influence the mind and heart and will of man, and
even bestow remarkable power. Occasions may arise in the believer’s experience when he needs
special guidance, care, protection, ability to resist temptation and evil, and this we are assured the
Comforter and Sustainer will furnish as required, in answer to our desires and prayers. How the Spirit
can suggest, enlighten, impress, influence, etc., is one of the divine mysteries, and while the fact is
stated, no explanation of the manner of accomplishment is attempted. We are only directed to the
effect or result produced, and pre-eminently the most conclusive evidence afforded attesting the work
of the Spirit, are holiness of heart and life, love to God and man.
By G. N. H. P., Springfield, Ohio.
From The Truth Magazine
As the witness of the Spirit, mentioned in Rom. 8:16, is highly important, and its possession conducive
to our happiness and hope, it deserves special consideration.
This is the more necessary, seeing that the most vague conceptions, unauthorized, mystical
interpretations, extravagant and unscriptural views, are based on the same; so that even true believers
are unnecessarily perplexed and troubled by the opinions expressed by others, fearing that their
religious experience does not meet the condition here imposed.
In the study of this interesting subject, two things are to be observed.
1. We must not allow ourselves to be influenced by mere human dogma, but permit the Scripture to
be its own interpreter of the meaning intended. No interpretation should be received, unless it is
supported by the analogy of Scripture teaching.
2. The personality of the Holy Spirit must be accepted. He is far more than a mere influence, or
divinely exerted energy. He is constantly spoken of in terms expressive of His personality. Thus the
personal pronoun is applied to Him; He is distinguished from, and yet co-joined with, Father and Son
in the formula of baptism and apostolic benediction; He is sent by the Father; He is conversant with the
things of God; He comes and acts as a personal agent in guiding, directing, testifying, convincing,
converting, speaking, interceding; He can be sinned against, blasphemed and grieved; He has a
complete knowledge of man, can punish sin, and bestow gifts. However mysterious and
incomprehensible (as everything relating to the Infinite must be to man), Deity is, the simple fact
remains, that the language of Scripture enforces the personality of the Spirit.
It is clear and decisive from the phraseology, “the Spirit itself (or, himself) beareth witness with our
spirit,” that the Spirit does something or performs some kind of work, which testifies to the self-
consciousness of the believer that He is divinely accepted as an adopted child of God. The question,
however, narrows itself down, what is this something or work by which the Spirit bears witness to us
personally? The answer to this question will be drawn from Scripture, leaving every one to judge for
himself respecting its correctness.
1. Not a few are misled by the word “witness,” and at once conclude, that some special act by the
Spirit is indicated, which is manifested by a supposed vision, or dream, or revelation, or voice, or
ecstatic feeling, or great light, or appearance of Jesus, etc., and this they imagine is the promised
witness of the Spirit, testifying to their adoption. But this witness is based on more solid ground, and
gives a far surer evidence, than mere suggestions, or visions, or raptures, or imagined inspirations and
trances. For the word “witness” is frequently used in Scripture, not as a direct personal testimony
given by one person to another, but as descriptive of a work performed or effects produced, which in
turn afford evidence, or testimony, or witness to the truth. As the Spirit bears witness in the works of
creation, in the lives of the ancient worthies, in the qualifications and endowments of Jesus, in the
guidance and labors of the apostles, so He likewise bears witness by His work on the human heart and
life, renewing and sanctifying. And of this work and its reality the spirit of the believer, his self-
consciousness, realizes as existing; for the moral change is too marked, the transition from
condemnation to justification too great, the implanting of love to God and of holiness too manifest, to
be ignored or set aside. The spirit of man having such evidences of the Spirit’s promised work,
without requiring other proof, finds the evidence, testimony, witness in himself, in his changed mind and
heart and life, which he receives by the aid of the Spirit; and it is this which assures him of being
accepted and adopted. No matter how unlearned the believer is, how limited his knowledge of divine
things, such a work of the Spirit bearing witness, his self-consciousness accepts and rejoices in , as e.
g., stated in 2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Cor. 2:12; 1 John 3:21; 5:10, etc.
2. The context confirms this interpretation. Paul had just asserted what the Spirit performs in behalf
of the believers; being led or influenced by the Spirit, being delivered from the bondage of sin by the
Spirit, being sheltered from wrath by faith in the blood of Jesus through the Spirit, being cognizant of
the reception of a filial and loving disposition imparted by the Spirit. Now in immediate connection he
adds: “The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God,” i.e.,
evidently, as the connection proves, shows to us by the change wrought in our hearts and lives, that by
His aid we are sons of God. The witness is in the transformation experienced, which appeals to our
self-consciousness, that we are renewed, that we have the spirit of children, that we are adopted.
3. Observe, that the Scriptures constantly and everywhere appeal to the character and life of the
believer to prove that he is divinely accepted. No where is stress laid on a special and personal
communication by the Spirit. The moral change effected and the godly life resulting, the disposition
imparted and the fruitage following, the principles implanted and the gracious affections arising from
them,—these are appealed to as evidence that we are the children of God; a testimony to others that
we are Christians. Having the mind of Christ by union with Him, bringing forth the fruitage of the Spirit,
and being “epistles of Christ, written not by ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of
stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart,” we have the witness in our own hearts, and our lives of piety
bear witness to others.
4. Two expressions occurring in Scripture greatly confirm the position here taken.
a. We are told (Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22) that we can have confidence and strong assurance
of divine acceptance, because we are “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” A certain work,
represented by the strongly significant “sealing” or “sealed” by the Spirit, is designated. As the seal
leaves its impression upon the heart of the believer, and this work of grace, stamped upon the soul by
the Spirit, gives witness or evidence that the recipient, no matter who he is or what his condition of life,
is a child of God. Surely such evidence is far more solidly based than mere suggestions or supposed
revelations.
b. This work, this moral change and given characteristics, impressed upon the believer, is called
“the earnest of the Spirit I our hearts” (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:14); and this “earnest of the Spirit given to
us” (2 Cor. 5:5), bestows a self-conscious knowledge, confidence, and assurance that we are indeed
the children of God. For it is a present pledge, a sure sign, that the future blessedness and glory
promised by the same Spirit shall be fully realized I perfected salvation. Now certainly such an abiding
testimony, constantly presented by a personal experience, is immensely preferable to a supposed
transient experience of a direct personal communication by the Spirit.
5. While thus explaining the Scriptural phrase “the witness of the Spirit,” we must be guarded, so as
not to be understood as limiting the power of the Holy Spirit. He has ready access to the spirit of man,
and He can, if fitting, or subservient to a purpose, influence the mind and heart and will of man, and
even bestow remarkable power. Occasions may arise in the believer’s experience when he needs
special guidance, care, protection, ability to resist temptation and evil, and this we are assured the
Comforter and Sustainer will furnish as required, in answer to our desires and prayers. How the Spirit
can suggest, enlighten, impress, influence, etc., is one of the divine mysteries, and while the fact is
stated, no explanation of the manner of accomplishment is attempted. We are only directed to the
effect or result produced, and pre-eminently the most conclusive evidence afforded attesting the work
of the Spirit, are holiness of heart and life, love to God and man.