[Greek] μάρτυς (martys), [Latin] testis

[Greek] μάρτυς (martys), [Latin] testis: witness; 34 scripture

The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (1432) by Hubert and Jan van Eyck.

Catholic Mass: capturing the “Liturgy of Heaven and Earth”:

1. The veil between the earthly world and the heavenly realm is pulled back.
2. The earthly world (Church militant) is united withe the cloud of witness (Church Triumphant) in eternal worship.
3. A single unified liturgy takes place in a lush eternal Paradise.
4. The Mystic Lamb stand atop an altar. He bleeds from His chest into a golden chalice, mirroring the Sacrifice of the Mass.
5. The cloud of witnesses (Old Testament Prophets, New Testament Apostles, popes and bishops, Holy Martyrs and Virgin Saints, Holy Hermits and Pilgrims.

Background information:

Greek Hellenism: This term means witness, to produce witnesses, and martyr.

Hymn 4 to Hermes: “He brought no witnessed with him nor any of the blessed gods who had seen the theft.”

Sophocles’ Trachinaea 1248: “Call the gods to bear witness.”

Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 1.6.16: “Even to this day, signs are left bearing witness to that ancient temperance of their and the ancient discipline that preserved.”

Testimony of two or three witnesses:

Old Testament: This term means witness, testimony, evidence of things, and advocate.

Deut.17:6: “Only on the testimony of two or three witnesses shall a person be put to death; no one shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.”

1. If someone is told or has heard of this, this matter must be seriously investigated.
2. If the truth of the matter is established, you shall bring this person out to your gates.
3. Only on the testimony of two or three witnessed shall a person be put to death.
4. No one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

New Testament: This term consists accompanying witnesses, adversarial witnesses, spiritual witnesses, and God (as a witness).

Accompanying witnesses:

Mt.18:16: “If he [your brother] 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.” (Continued refusal to receive private correction calls for further effort for repentance and reconciliation. Mature believers’ presence prevents the dispute from becoming one person’s word against another. Careful examination protects hasty judgment, personal retaliation, and proven accusations.)

Acts 7:58: “They threw Stephen out of the city to stone him. The witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Like Jesus, Stephen was taken outside the city to be killed. The witnesses removed their garments so they could throw stones without restraint. Under the law, those who gave testimony against an accused person bore the solemn responsibility for the execution. Saul, watching over the garments, believed he was serving God by opposing Jesus’ followers.)

Adversarial witnesses:

Acts 6:13: “They presented false witnesses who testified ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law’.” (Stephen’s opponents’ false testimony violated God’ commandments and could not stand on truth. Stephen’s public witness continued despite hostility, recalling the Church’s calling to teach and priest Jesus Christ without ceasing. They false witnesses resisted the One to whom the Law and the prophets bore witness to.)

Spiritual witnesses:

Lk.24:48: “You are witnesses to all these things.” (Jesus commission the disciples to publicly testify to what they personally saw and heard: Hi sinless ministry, atoning death, bodily resurrection and fulfillment of the Scriptures. Their testimony carries the solemn force of legal witness, establishing the truth of God’s saving work.)

Heb.12:1: “Since we are surrounded by so great cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden of sin that clings to us.” (The great cloud of witnesses portrays and immense multitude whose testimony surrounds the Church, calling believers to persevere in the same faith. Believers are called to remove whatever impedes faithful obedience. The Christian life requires sustained faithfulness. Some may be called to service, obedience, and endurance through testing.)

God as witness:

1Thess.2:5: “Nor indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed –God is witness.” (Not seeking to gain approval or praise, paul states that the gospel confronts sin, calls for repentance, and announces salvation through Christ. Service is motivated by love for God and concern for His people. God alone fully know the motives hidden with the heart. Servants must seek God’s approval rather than human praise.)

What are some common objections against the Catholic belief in the communion of saints?

Objection 1: The saints are dead.

1. The communion of saints are calling believers to persevere in the same faith. Heb.12:1)
2. The saints are more alive than we are (Mk.12:26-27)
3. The saints, flooded with God’s love, care more about us now than they did on earth.

Objection 2: The saints in heaven can’t hear us.

1. The medium of communication is Christ Himself–the vine and the branches.
2. We and the saints form one communion, one body of Christ.

Objection 3: How can the saints hear all these prayers?

1. Heaven has no space or time.
2. Everything appears to God as one ETERNAL NOW.
3. Like God, the saints are outside of the limitations of space and time.
4. Our earthly way of knowing is limited and incomplete.

Conclusion:

Martyr, martyrdom, witness, eyewitness, test, testimony, testimonial.