The Biblical Rule Of Two Witnesses
THE BIBLICAL RULE OF TWO WITNESSES
The Law of Two Witnesses is an amazing constant seen across scripture. From the prophets of old, to the New Testament Apostles and Disciples, it is something that is found consistently applied, even in the case of the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Additionally, our own nation's laws often require two witnesses in cases of accusation and criminality. When most laws are formed, they are formed on the basis of God’s Law. Whether it stems directly from the Bible, or it is more like the Roman Law, fulfilling the Law of God in their own laws as God’s Law is written on their hearts, as it says Romans 2:14-15.
This strongly indicates that we know this law to be true, yet for some reason, there are many who openly violate this law while performing ministry. Although it is doubtful most do it in a sense of willful ignorance and instead out of a sense of misguided passion. Yet the fact remains that there are many who attempt to witness or perform ministry alone in violation of the Law demanding the need for two witnesses.
Now the reason for two witnesses in the minimum goes beyond just lawful sharing of the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:8), it also exists for practical reasons, spiritual reasons, and protective reasons. We will dive into that more later. For now it is sufficient to say God has established His Law and has established the nations as well (Acts 17:26) all of which require two witnesses to judge, accuse, or establish things.
There are many types of labor that can indeed be done alone, but like the family unit of a father and mother, one is not as good as two, and will always come short in something if there is only one. God has designed all good works to be done in a communal sense, with a multiplicity of elders, and a coming together of minds and hearts to work as one. Challenging one another, studying the scriptures together, and submitting one to another in a godly manner.
Never does God call a man to stand completely alone for an extended duration of time. To pastor a church alone, or to establish a ministry alone, or to perform the work alone. Many that have done so, without being fully submitted to someone else who is biblically qualified to lead in the church, have erred in their doctrine, works, and lives as a result. God has designed this law, this rule, as a means to protect against the shortcomings of us all.
A great example of this, is even though this is primarily written by myself alone, it is checked, double checked, and challenged by the other leader in our Ministry. The initial writing of this teaching was much different, and had to be changed not due to doctrinal error, but due to failure in communicating the message without sounding overly defensive.
While written in an attempt to get ahead of the objections before they arise, it ended up coming across as overly defensive, instead of simply stating the truth. Something I alone was completely blind to, and needed the second witness in our ministry to call it out, so that you the reader may be better edified, and what we produce would be easier to digest.
As ministers, who deeply believe and follow this rule, refusing to do anything alone in our lives, unless of course it is thrust on us as per happenstance, such as sharing the Gospel impromptu: We feel especially burdened to warn the church to not partake in activities or ministries that are operated by a sole leader, or one that walks alone.
We desire to prove out once and for all the doctrine of Two Witnesses, and bring much light to it, to further establish it for succeeding generations. This is to their benefit, as we will explain later. Suffice it to say for now, it is out of a deep love and care for their safety and their strengthening, that we create this teaching.
Writers like Origen, Gregory the Great, and Augustine drew from Ecclesiastes to say the same in times past. For instance, Pachomius inspired by Ecclesiastes wrote:
“Let no one be sent on any business unless another go with him”
Augustine likewise taught:
“When ye are journeying, walk together, when at your journey’s end, together rest.”
A quote attributed to Spurgeon from a teaching entitled “Co‑Operation in Work for Christ” on Colossians 4:10-11 says:
"Jesus sent out his disciples by twos, for he knew that each would cheer his fellow. Service is usually best in companionship: he who works altogether alone will be in his temper either too high or too low, censorious or desponding. Two are better far than one; they not only accomplish twice the work, as we might have expected but they frequently multiply their power seven times by their cooperation. Happy are those wedded souls whose life of love to their Lord and one another is like the cluster on the staff, which they joyfully bear along! Happy those Christian companions who share each other’s joys and sorrows, and so pass onward to the skies knit together as one man. Communication enriches, reticence impoverishes. Communion is strength, solitude is weakness. Alone, the fine old beech yields to the blast, and lies prone upon the sward: in the forest, supporting each other, the trees laugh at the hurricane. The sheep of Jesus flock together; the social element is the genius of Christianity. To find a brother is to find a pearl of great price; to retain a friend is to treasure up the purest gold. Between two upon a staff we find happiness. The monastic or hermit death‑life is not our Master’s beau ideal, but holy companionship is his chosen means for affording us help in service and advance in joy."
As Spurgeon so eloquently articulated in his vast collection of operatic vocabulary: Two is better than one. Indeed scripture shows this all over the place. Here in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 it says:
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
There are many benefits of doing any form of ministry together, and many many dangers of doing it alone. Paul would likely have been killed if it weren't for his brothers, retaining him, and pulling him from the crowd in Acts 19:30-31. Likewise, if he had no brothers, and was doing ministry alone, again, his ministry would have been cut short if they had not let him down in a basket in Acts 9:23-25. Some even argue from silence and use Stephen as a case to say if he was with others, perhaps they would have pulled him back, and his life would have been spared. Although we make no comment either which way, for to do so is pure conjecture.
Altogether our goal is to call our brothers and sisters to obedience to scripture, for their own peace and safety, and not for our gain. We hope this blesses you as you learn and grow in the Lord Jesus Christ, growing in all spiritual doctrine and wisdom in accordance with the Word of God (Colossians 1:9).
THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS ESTABLISH & CONFIRM IT
Starting with scripture let us read Romans 7:12:
“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
The law has not ceased being good, nor has the commands of God changed. The method of salvation has always been faith, and obedience has always been commanded as part of your faith. Repentance is not an Old Testament work:
OT: Ezekiel 18:30-32
NT: 2 Timothy 2:19
In as much as Faith is not a New Testament concept:
OT: Genesis 15:6
NT: Galatians 3:6, Romans 4:2-3
The Law has not been abolished, but is rather fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 5:17-20) and thus the Law is still good as in Him is the perfection of the Law kept, and through our repentance and faith, we have the reward through His blood.
But if the law is fulfilled in Christ, does this mean anything goes as it pertains to our lives and ministry? Well clearly not, otherwise we would not have the entirety of the New Testament and the commands found in the Gospels and Epistles. Commands to be holy, and perfect, and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Commands such as the following list that show that there is indeed an expectation to be perfect, which is in accordance to the Law of God.
Matthew 5:48
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."Psalm 19:7
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."Proverbs 2:21
"For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it."Philippians 2:12
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."2 Corinthians 7:1
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."1 Peter 1:15-16
"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."Hebrews 6:1
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God."James 1:22
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."Ephesians 4:13
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."Deuteronomy 18:13
"Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God."1 Kings 8:61
"Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day."1 Chronicles 28:9
"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever."Psalm 101:2
"I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart."2 Corinthians 13:11
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."Revelation 3:2
"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God."Revelation 12:17
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."Revelation 14:12
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Thus we learn that although keeping the Law is not necessary to be saved, it is expected out of those who are saved, as they grow in their sanctification and perfection in Christ. Because the Law is good, and instructs us in how to be Holy and we ought to follow Christ. That Law delivered in the Old Testament, is made alive for us through Christ to live unto perfection in the New Testament. This is why Jesus said unto us, that if we love Him, we will obey His commands (John 14:15). The measure in which a person obeys the commands of Christ, and that good moral Law of God, is the measure in which they love the Lord and seek His face.
To be clear, this is not to argue for Mosaic Covenant Keeping, such as in keeping the Dietary Laws, Ceremonial Laws, and Civil Laws in order to keep or maintain salvation. Rather it is to say, those things are still good, as the Law was to outline perfection. If understood through the cross correctly, a Christian can practice to some degree many Old Testament Laws and Customs to their good pleasure. Salvation is not won through obedience, but obedience is a fruit of salvation.
Now to the believer who is absorbing all this, the goal of the last few paragraphs was to establish our need to follow the commands of God, and not to dismiss it as OT law and thus unimportant.
One of the larger errors Christians can make is to completely discard the Old Testament, this is called Antinomianism, which is the belief that there is no moral or otherwise theological value to the Old Testament. This is a grave mistake, as the Old Testament Law has not been abolished, but fulfilled. Nothing in the New Testament contradicts the Old, and many if not all of the commands of perfection in righteousness and Holiness in the Old Testament are carried forward to the New Testament. Not only this, but there are plenty of things gleaned from the Nature of God, what he expects out of us to be perfect. The Apostle Peter himself pointed to the scriptures of the Old Testament saying ”We have also a more sure word of prophecy” comparing it to the very voice of God he heard on the mount of transfiguration. He said that those very same Old Testament scriptures were instructions for us to take heed of, until Christ returns, which as I have last checked, is not yet. Peter said in 2 Peter 1:16-19 "ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”
So should we keep the Law of God? Yes, scripture demands it. Can keeping the Law save us? No, but following ALL of scripture can certainly perfect us. So it is good to follow the Law of God, so long as a Christian understands that only Christ can save, by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10)
One might argue here that Hebrews 10:14 makes it clear our perfection comes from the sacrifice of Christ. And it is true, in the ultimate sense, our perfection as it attains to salvation, is through Christ alone as previously stated. But even so, there is a difference between our salvific perfection through the blood of Christ covering us, and making us perfect via His own perfection, and our individual need to purge ourselves of sin and obey the commands of Christ.
We are called to perfect like the Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48)
We are called to depart from iniquity, and also purge ourselves of sins to be made meet for the master's use (2 Timothy 2:19-22)
We are also called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)
We are called to gain our sanctification by the Truth which is the Word (John 17:17)
We are called to be doers of the word and not just hearers (James 1:22-25, Romans 2:12-13)
Our rewards are based on what we built through our works, with some having salvation alone and others more (1 Corinthians 3:12-16)
There are good trees bearing good fruit and bad trees bearing bad who are cast into Hell. God never knew them despite their profession, belief, and proclamation of works, which were not the will of God but instead they worked iniquity (Matthew 7:13-23)
Brothers and sisters, though Christ is our only means of salvation, free from works to make ourselves salvifically qualified as pure, make no mistake that obedience to God’s word does indeed perfect us, sanctify us, purify us, and make us perfect. Though our eternal state is by Christ alone, our temporal obedience to God’s word, shows the working of that Eternal state through us into greater and greater obedience to God and His word, which after all is a choice. You choose to repent and believe, you choose not to apostatize, and you choose to obey.
So though perfection outside of Christ is impossible, within Him, and through His gift which makes us perfect, and gives us the ability to perfect ourselves (albeit not salvifically), the Law still holds as a means to perfect ourselves in the light of Christ. Part of that Law, is the Law of two witnesses, which is shown in the Old New Testaments, which is never more clearly commanded as it is in Deuteronomy 17:6:
“At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.”
In other words, one witness is not enough to convict of sin or wrong doing. Regardless if its context is ministerial, civil, moral, or evangelical.
In Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus explicitly stated He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, affirming its enduring moral authority. Genesis 15:6, Galatians 3:6, and Romans 4:2-3 all show that faith was not introduced in the New Testament, just as lawful commands like Repentance and the use of two witnesses shown in the Old Testament, were not removed in the New Testament but carried forward. Therefore, the command in Deuteronomy 17:6 to establish judgment by two or three witnesses is not obsolete, but carried forward, confirmed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:1 and 1 Timothy 5:19.
The following is a list of scriptural references to those who observed this Law:
Moses and Aaron Sent Together To Confront Pharaoh (Exodus 4:14-16; 7:1-2)
The Levitical Priesthood Was Performed By Many (Exodus 28:1, Numbers 3:5–10)
Joshua and Caleb Faithful Witnesses Among Twelve Spies (Numbers 14:6-9)
Elijah and Elisha Prophetic Pair Together (2 Kings 2:1-15)
Zerubbabel and Joshua Leaders in Temple Restoration (Zechariah 4:14)
Nathan and Gad Prophets Towards King David & Israel (1 Chronicles 29:29)
Ezra and Nehemiah Leader Post-exilic Israel (Ezra 7-10; Nehemiah 8-10)
Jesus and the Father Witness Together (John 5:30-32, John 8:17-18)
The 70 Disciples Sent Two-by-Two By Jesus To Preach The Gospel (Luke 10:1-3)
John the Baptist And His Disciples Witness Christ (John 1:35–37)
Peter and John Ministry Together (Acts 3:1; 4:13)
Paul and Barnabas Witnessing Team (Acts 13:2)
Paul and Silas Missionary Team (Acts 15:40)
Paul and Timothy Ministry and Discipleship (Philippians 2:19-22)
James and John Together in Key Ministry Moments (Mark 5:37; Luke 9:54)
Priscilla and Aquila Teaching Together (Acts 18:2, 26; Romans 16:3)
The Godhead (1 John 5:7, KJV)
The Two Witnesses of Revelation (Revelation 11:3)
Resurrection Witnesses:
Women at the tomb (Luke 24:10)
Two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
The eleven disciples (Luke 24:36-49)
Over 500 brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6)
Acts 15 Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:2-32)
Jesus Affirms the Law, Prophets, and Psalms as a Tri-fold witness of His Mission (Luke 24:44)
Mount of Transfiguration Peter, James, and John Witness Christ’s Glory and Hear God’s Voice (Matthew 17:1-9; 2 Peter 1:16-18)
Peter and John are seen ministering together repeatedly (Acts 3:1, Acts 4:13).
Paul and Barnabas are set apart together for the work (Acts 13:2).
After their split, Paul takes Silas, and then Timothy joins them (Acts 15:40, Acts 16:1-3).
Even Apollos, though fervent and eloquent, is corrected and disciplined not by a lone teacher but by Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-26).
The church at Antioch sends out workers two by two, never as individuals (Acts 13:1-3).
The Jerusalem Council itself (Acts 15) is a collaborative effort of apostles and elders coming to agreement together, with Judas and Silas sent to confirm the findings.
All of these point to a continual pattern of God through His ministers, sending them like Jesus did, 2 by 2. But this rule itself was not just applied to us humans, but also Jesus Christ, who applied this Law which He wrote, to Himself.
JESUS HIMSELF OBEYED HIS LAW AND HAD A SECOND WITNESS
One of the strongest arguments for this doctrine being undeniable across scripture is found in the very Godhead itself. In the Godhead, there is always more than just One Witness in anything. After-all in whom does the Law of God reflect but Himself who is the ultimate standard of perfection?
Another place this is seen, is in the Johannine Comma. Which is removed in modern collections, but still present in the KJV Bible. We can only surmise that the reason it was removed is based in spiritual corruption, and by those who likely do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ. The KJV Bible is without any error, and is based on the oldest tradition of Scripture, dating as far back as 150 AD with writers born long before the creation of the Critical Text (Vaticannus and Sinnaticus) quoting scripture passages that are extinct from the Critical Text. Thus showing that the Byzantine Tradition is the correct collection of scriptures that date back almost to the Apostles themselves.
These modern versions remove the Johannine Comma, and you can check yourself if you own one of these collections:
NIV (New International Version)
ESV (English Standard Version)
NASB (New American Standard Bible)
RSV / NRSV (Revised Standard Versions)
CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
NLT (New Living Translation)
NET (New English Translation)
NCV (New Century Version)
GNT (Good News Translation)
The Message
There are many doctrinal reasons why this was removed, from it being an affront to the Catholic Church and their unbiblical doctrines of the papacy and elevating Mary to a deity. To confuscating of other Biblical doctrines. The common reply is you can find this mentioned elsewhere, but that is not really true. This is the only place where you can find so clearly the mention of how the function of Heaven and Earth work, under 3 witnesses. Which shows that the Law of 2 or more witnesses is baked into creation from the highest heaven downwards. 1 John 5:7-8 told us this for more than one reason:
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”
All of creation requires 2 or more witnesses, and this is consistently carried throughout scripture.
Jesus confirms the need for more than one witness in His own ministry, not departing from the Law of God Himself. This is in the context of the Jews in John 8:13 trying to falsely accuse Jesus of breaking this law. "The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true."
In John 8:17-18 Jesus spoke about truth, and establishing that truth through the witness of more than just one man. He said:
“It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.”
We are to follow Him are we not? So should we not also follow this? Here Jesus is appealing to the testimony of His words, being not that He came alone, but came also by a second Witness, and that Witness is the Father who sent him, and bears record of Him. Jesus did nothing alone, but in all His ministry, He had the work of His Father alongside Him. Saying in John 5:30-32:
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.”
Jesus made it clear that He himself, being God, did not do things according to His own will but jointly with the Father, as he declared in John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”
Thus far, we have established that the Law of multiple witnesses originates in the very nature of the Godhead, who being 3 distinct persons, never act alone in isolation as one person separate from the others in the Godhead. (disclaimer: We do not support modalism, nor any other Godhead heresy) 1 John 5:7-8 affirms the threefold witness in heaven: The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood. Though modern Bible versions often omit this verse (for reasons we have explained in this and earlier teachings), it remains in the KJV (The Unblemished Word of God) and aligns with the rest of Scripture’s testimony about the need for 2 or more witnesses. In John 8:17-18 Jesus appeals to the law’s standard of two witnesses, stating that His own testimony is confirmed by the Father, not only showing Jesus did not witness alone at any point, but also confirmed the Old Testament Standard. In John 5:30-32 and John 10:30 Jesus states plainly that His witness alone is not sufficient, and that another bears witness of Him, again pointing to the Father, showing the utter necessity for two witnesses. Which utterly destroys the argument from some that they can witness alone.
In short, if it is good enough for Christ, or rather required by Christ in His own ministry, being that He is God in the flesh, then why would it ever be something not expected of us? How can one say they are better than God to discard this Law, to then go unlawfully represent God in the public square?
Let me be pseudo-combative to prove a point: Are you oh pastor, oh teacher, oh preacher, oh missionary, oh servant, greater than your Master as to not follow the very same law He followed, that He wrote, and baked into creation? I think not. Hopefully you do too!
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE EXCEPTIONS?
Now at this point, it is likely that people will be thinking of exceptions at this point, such as Paul at Athens or Elijah, Jeremiah, Jonah, or John the Baptist as examples of solo ministry. But one must realize that not only are these examples of Prophets and Apostles which none of us are, who had direct command from God, but it is also untrue to state they operated solely alone.
When someone in the Bible was alone, it was more often than not a political leader, a special character like Samson, and others who were not on a direct mission from God to perform the service of God.
It certainly was never a self appointed person, who was not directly called by God through His Voice or through an Angel.
In the end none of the biblical examples one could provide, are ones where they were truly alone in their service to God for His people. Elijah felt the weight of being alone, yet God reminded him there were 7000 others who had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:10-18). And ultimately Elijah had Elisha. Not only this, Elijah was also a prophet.
Prophets and Apostles are people directly sent by God audibly. Paul heard God’s voice and directly spoke with Christ (Acts 9:1-6, Romans 14:14, Acts 23:1, 2 Corinthians 12:1-4) and when he was at Athens alone it certainly was not on purpose. As we described earlier Paul would have likely have been killed if it weren't for his brothers, retaining him, and pulling him from the crowd in Acts 19:30-31. Likewise, if he had no brothers, and was doing ministry alone, again, his ministry would have been cut short if they had not let him down in a basket in Acts 9:23-25.
For most of those examples, they were either shortly joined by others, had companions and scribes, or otherwise other people for witnesses, presumably for correction to be alongside them.
And in any case where they acted alone, it was not in Ministry, and if it was, it was by direct command of God. Neither of our use cases today support solo ministry. Reading the Bible and “feeling led” is not hearing from God in the direct sense.
Observe the following:
Elijah, operated alone during confrontations with Ahab and the Mount Carmel event, yet later confesses, “I, even I only, am left” (1 Kings 19:10), but God corrects him by affirming the existence of 7,000 faithful and soon provides Elisha as a partner, emphasizing that solo ministry was not His ultimate plan for Elijah.
Elisha himself sometimes appears alone, but his ministry follows a precedent of partnership, and he was trained under Elijah in a plural model.
Jeremiah, often seen as alone, ministered during a time of national apostasy and judgment, where the rejection of truth was widespread. His isolation was the result of Israel’s sin, not a model for ministry, and he still had the scribe Baruch as a helper.
Moses doubted his ability to speak, and God immediately appointed Aaron as his mouthpiece, reinforcing the two-witness standard.
John the Baptist begins alone as a forerunner but is soon surrounded by disciples, and his role is unique and transitional, preparing the way for Christ.
Philip’s evangelism of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 is a divine exception marked by angelic direction and spiritual immediacy, not a reproducible pattern. Later, Philip is shown with a family and part of a community.
Paul’s solo preaching in Athens came only after being separated from Silas and Timothy as he saw the city given to idolatry and was stirred into action. This is not prescriptive, but descriptive.
Daniel often pictured as a lone prophet in Babylon, yet he consistently ministered alongside his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego) who prayed and witnessed with him (Daniel 2:17-18; Daniel 3:16-18).
Samuel though he judged Israel as a prophet, he is repeatedly shown working alongside Eli in his youth (1 Samuel 3), later raising up schools of prophets (1 Samuel 10:5; 19:20), showing that his ministry was not solitary but communal.
Nathan & Gad both served in David’s court, correcting and counseling him (2 Samuel 12:1–15; 1 Chronicles 29:29).
Ezekiel was taken captive, often portrayed as solitary in visions, but he ministered from the elders of Judah gathered before him (Ezekiel 8:1; 14:1).
In all these cases, solo ministry is either temporary, due to judgment or separation, or directly corrected by God, proving that it is not the standard He established but rather borne out of necessity and for those special few who are divinely being sent by God, often with a clear audible voice, or angelic intervention.
There is no one today who can claim this is true for them, that God spoke to them audibly and sent them to preach. So If someone is standing outside of an abortion clinic witnessing to people alone, or going to college campuses to preach the gospel alone. They are doing so outside of the pattern, prescription and description of witnessing in the Bible, that even Jesus followed.
They are breaking the Law of God which says that the Law is only good when used lawfully (Romans 7:12), and they are hypocritically trying to convict others of the law while they break it themselves (Romans 2:1-5, Deuteronomy 17:6).
If one says “By the Law of God you are a sinner, who has lied, stolen, blasphemed and committed murder and adultery of the heart!” Do they not break that same law that demands they have a second witness to accuse of sin in Deuteronomy 19:15, Deuteronomy 17:6, and Numbers 35:30?
Are they not a breaker of the law by preaching the law unlawfully at that point? (1 Timothy 1:8)
And, If they do so willingly alone, do they not also become exactly what is described in Romans 2 being a teacher of the law, while not following it themselves?
You and I have not been sent by an angel of God, or God's audible voice to preach the Gospel, you are choosing to obey the commands of scripture to preach the Gospel in a place and manner that appeals to you.
Jesus sent out the 70 disciples two by two in Luke 10:1-3. This is not only descriptive, but it is a prescriptive declaration by God Himself in the flesh as to how we are to Witness to others about the Kingdom of God. I challenge any to find a good reason why they no longer need to obey the commands of Christ today. Or take what is clearly both prescriptive and descriptive, and relegate it only to descriptive. By what standard or measurement do they outside of themselves find in scripture, to declare that the example given by Christ to the non-apostles believers at the time to go and preach the Gospel, should not apply to them? I tell you there is none. If someone dismisses this scripture as only descriptive when it is clearly both prescriptive and descriptive, by what authority other than their own mind are they doing so?
That same person might reply, are you not by your own authority establishing it as prescriptive? My reply would be simply “No.” Why? Because the text gave us a direct example of believers who were not apostles, sent by Christ to preach the Gospel, and we have no other contrary example of believers regularly preaching alone, not even among the Apostles. In fact not only did the Apostles follow this doctrine through the nature of ministry, but we have no other examples of willful, solo ministry in the New Testament anywhere. Instead, there are only examples of communal ministry.
Now we must offer encouragement: We are not attempting to dissuade, discourage, or otherwise halt a sharing the Gospel or performing ministry. It is to establish you can biblically do neither alone.
Sure many express a burden and a mission they feel is being placed upon them to go right now this very instant to preach the Gospel. But what is different about that, compared to someone saying they heard God telling them to do this or that? Why would God command you to go out alone, violating His own word that someone cannot witness alone, the Word and Law He Himself followed?
Do they presume that unless through their presence where the Gospel is preached, God is powerless to perform a work or save someone?
Does God need them? Are we required of the Creator, in order for Him to cause something to come to pass? Or are we called to obedience?
Some may argue: “Yes but so and so got saved from my solo preaching!” My reply would be:
“Praise God, yet God made a donkey speak truth once, does it validate everything all donkeys now do?
Preaching the Gospel is a command, but so is going out in twos. God can and does allow people to preach alone, and He can and does use it, because He is God, not because it is something you should be doing. After all genuine repentance and belief has come about by false teachers like Benny Hinn. Even Paul praised God the Gospel was preached in contention (Philippians 1:15-18), since the message has the power of God unto salvation, not the messenger (Romans 1:16)
Just because God uses something for good, like Joseph being thrown in the well, does not mean that we should start throwing people in wells because good may come. The question you need to ask is:
“If God can use the insincere to magnify Christ, or donkeys to speak truth, should I not rather concern myself with obedience to the God I love, over my need to scratch my preacher's itch?”
You should indeed hold obedience to God’s law over that of the desire to preach Christ. For you to preach Christ sincerely or insincerely it still has the power to save, yet for you alone, you lose rewards (1 Corinthians 3:13-15), as you do it unlawfully. What is better I ask, for you to obey God and preach the Gospel according to His design, or for you to do what you want, and risk even hardening your heart to sin against obedience?
WHY THIS MATTERS?
So why make such a big deal about this, why does this doctrine matter?
It matters for reasons of everything above, from it being baked into creation and even the Godhead, to it being a law of God even Jesus followed, to it being demonstrated by scripture throughout.
But it even matters for more reasons than just the very fact that it is Biblical and true.
In our present day, there is a mass exodus from sound doctrine and biblical adherence. This was prophesied as one of the things to come before the Antichrist and his rise to power in 2 Thessalonians 2:3:
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”
The term “falling away” here, is a reference to an en masse apostasy, which is to say, it marks both an actual event, and a general trend of a lack of obedience to God’s word and doctrines. This in both the lives of professing Christians and the world in general. It is a slow decline of righteousness throughout the pollution of the heart by compromise with this world, and ultimately the things of Satan.
Jesus warned us to beware of the doctrines of the the Pharisees, denoting how even a little leaven, leavens the entire lump in Matthew 16:6-12. He was teaching us, that compromise in anything, leads us to total corruption in the end, when the work of that “leaven” is complete. This is why we must study to shew ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) Why we must workout our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), and why we must always stand fast to the doctrines we have learned (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Otherwise the corruption of this world will compromise us to the point of apostasy or sin unto death.
2 Timothy 3:1-9 and 2 Timothy 4:1-5 paint a clear picture of the times to come. They tell us that people will hear but will not endure sound doctrine, will be ever learning yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. That they will have a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. And that power of God unto salvation is the Gospel (Romans 1:16). Thus the power that is being denied, is our ability through the work of Christ to be set free from sin and disobedience to God. They on the other hand, are wantonly disobedient (Titus 1:16) .
So in these times, of the great falling away underway, the rise of AI and the Antichrist system, and the full culmination of prosperity false gospels, and counterfeit Christian messages promising salvation to anyone who believes, void of any mention of sin repentance and obedience:
The remnant of true Christians who love the Lord, must be veracious in obedience to God with all fervency, urgency, and zeal. We must seek to please the Lord, to obey His commands, and to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16).
We cannot compromise or be given into the whiles of the enemy, nor can we be complacent anymore about which side we stand.
For millennia, Christians have chosen to remain in the world yet apart from it. But soon a time is coming when there will be no place for us. What better time than now to rise up and seek to obey God in every facet of our lives?
Is it good only then to live for Christ? Or should we not take up our banner cry, and fight the good fight, to war as good soldiers, to make much of the name of Christ, and to die unto self and lift high evermore the name of Christ?
Whom do we serve, God, Or mammon? You cannot serve both. We ought not to seek comfort or approval, but instead seek to be a light on a hill that shines in a dark place. Can we do so through compromise, should we exalt ourselves in “doing our best” while the Scriptural demand for us is to be perfect?
Brother and sisters, there are no minor doctrines and major doctrines, there is but truth and lies. Let us be the people who are a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9), set apart, and with no compromise. Not finding excuse to sin, or to break God’s law, but instead being pure, humble, and serving God with every breath we are given. Philippians 2:15
“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”
This is why this, and really any other doctrine matters, because truth, servitude, love, and peace, and all the things of God, His way… His Word, all matter. We are to be holy as he is holy. Therefore, be ye holy! (1 Peter 1:15-16)
THE RISKS OF DISOBEDIANCE
Let’s first start by looking at some of the dangers that present themselves when ministering alone. Similar to how Paul likely would have died in Athens when he was accosted, if it weren’t for his brothers who held him back from his desire to preach the Gospel unbridled. And as a quick note on this, Paul was not perfect. Like Peter, who likely lovingly desired Christ not to die, was in direct opposition to God, we also can by our own zeal for Christ, do things that are against the sound proclamation of Scripture.
In Paul’s case, his zeal would have gotten him into trouble that would have prevented the plan God had for Paul in his journey to Rome. In the same way, though we feel a burning zeal in our bosoms at times to preach the Gospel, or Teach, or otherwise serve God, we must understand all such zeal though good and to be encouraged, can be contrary to God’s plans. We cannot use our zeal as justification to preach the Gospel or serve alone out of frustration of having no other. It could be that God desires to judge a nation, so your preaching would be in vain. Or he desires to preserve you from a crowd who would kill you, because He has future use of you. All this to say, not all zeal instantly equates justification. We must temper our zeal with obedience to God’s word. Here are those dangers that one may encounter when acting alone:
It encourages self-will and pride and It removes accountability and correction: Anyone solo ministering is by nature condemned to operate without correction. If this continues over a long course of time, a person is at risk of “drinking their own kool-aid” so to speak, or in other words, draft themselves into an echo chamber of their own confirmations, which ultimately leads them to heresy, and apostasy. Scripture warns that a bishop must not be selfwilled (Titus 1:7). Operating alone invites an unchecked spirit, where a man can begin to act as if he is above accountability or uniquely anointed. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17) Without a partner, there is no one to challenge your interpretation, discernment, or behavior. This is fertile ground for drifting into false doctrine, abuse of authority, or moral failure.
It increases vulnerability to false accusations or misunderstandings: Two witnesses are not just for judging others, they protect you from being judged unfairly. A second person can verify what was said, done, or intended. Solo ministry offers no defense and leaves you vulnerable to attack. As a second person rarely has a reason to lie on your behalf, even less so a born again Christian who would rather suffer and die. Then to lie.
It removes lawful witness structure: Deuteronomy 19:15-20 shows that the law requires multiple witnesses to establish truth and sin. Ministering alone violates that legal structure and weakens the credibility of your message. It is directly commanded against in scripture across the board. When it says one will not be put to death by one witness, it is saying that one witness is not enough to establish sin against the law. Which is the equivalent of preaching the Gospel without the Law, even when the law is preached, because that law can only be used lawfully (1 Timothy 1:8).
It opens the door to burnout and spiritual vulnerability: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Going alone means no one lifts you when you fall, self chosen isolation leads to being helpless when he falls. Moses was rebuked for trying to lead alone (Exodus 18:17-18). God raised up others to share the burden. Solo ministry demands more than one man can bear long-term, even in zeal. Even for Paul it was never continual ministry alone, but rather moments of solo witnessing brought on by others' disregard or delay in which he was forced to preach alone as his companions did not show up. Again, not an excuse to willingly go alone, but a description of what evil befell Paul and how he remained faithful. It is not the same as choosing to go alone. Paul thought he was going to meet others, they did not show, he preached anyway, and also he was an Apostle. To go knowing no one is coming, is to disobey God through scripture.
It models something God never commanded: No one prophet, priest, apostle, or elder, is ever instructed in Scripture to go out or stand alone in ministry unless under extraordinary divine command (e.g., Elijah). Or through abandonment.
It undermines the credibility of the Gospel: The Gospel is a legal proclamation, that men are condemned under God's law and Christ is the appointed Judge and Savior. Legal testimony requires multiple confirming witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1). Without a second witness, the legal nature of the message collapses under its own weight.
THE REWARDS OF OBEDIANCE
Mutual Encouragement and Boldness: Preaching or doing ministry with another brings about confidence and strength, especially in hostile discouraging situations, whether by suffering over long periods, or by being accosted. When you are properly joined to another, you are not bearing the spiritual weight alone. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says “For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow” Luke 10:1-3 shows that Jesus set the standard when he sent the 70 2x2 into dangerous and unreceptive towns. One major benefit is that your boldness is amplified in company. One lone lamb is an easy target, but in the herd is protection and safety. It’s hard to be assaulted from behind when you are standing back to back with your Brother in Christ.
Shared Discernment and Correction: When witnessing as a pair, one may catch an error, redirect a conversation wisely, or sense a spiritual issue the other misses. This has happened to us multiple times. Proverbs 11:14 says “In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Having more than one, helps avoid theological imbalance, unnecessary argument, or going too far in multiple areas. You have checks and balances that cannot exist in the echo chamber of one's own mind. God has made us different for a reason, to bring different points of view, and shape one another more perfectly.
Strengthened Testimony Before Unbelievers: Two voices giving the same Gospel message with unity affirms the truth more powerfully in the unbelievers mind. One standing alone is easily dismissed as crazy, or a lunatic, but two standing together shows solidarity. Afterall, is God sending one witness, or two in Revelation? Unbelievers may reject one man, but find it harder to dismiss two witnesses confirming the same thing. Deuteronomy 19:15, 2 Corinthians 13:1
Division of Labor: One can speak while the other prays, observes, or engages others nearby. Tag-teaming allows for better coverage and strategic focus. It can also give one person a break, while the other carries on. Acts 13:2-5 says Paul and Barnabas worked together; John Mark assisted them. Not all did the same thing at once. This helps avoid mental fatigue of ministry, especially if one needs rest or silence.
Use of the Differing Holy Spirit Given Gifts: There are differing God given gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed to different members of the body of Christ, the Church, as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Different individuals have differing skills, abilities, experiences, and can connect and communicate differently with people being preached to. The members of the body are made to fit and work together jointly as part of God’s design and His distribution (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We can honor the Lord when the differing members are utilizing their differing gifts, in unity while serving God by sharing the message of the Christ, and Christ Crucified for Sins, together.
Visible Unity and Love: A pair preaching together demonstrates love and spiritual unification, which has a direct impact on the tone of what’s being said or preached. Additionally, this serves to fulfill openly and publicly the direct testimony to the world that Christ is real when he said in John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” How do all men know we are of God? Our love for one another!
Prayer and Spiritual Warfare: While one speaks, the other can pray asking for clarity, conviction, protection, and open hearts. Matthew 18:19-20 This agreement is both spiritual warfare and active support, and this takes place in Gospel proclamation and in ministering in the Church, during meetings with people struggling, or in Bible studies.
Modeling Biblical Order: When we obey the two-witness pattern we are to men, and to angels, and most importantly to God, showing a visible form of submission to God and His Word. Showing also the hearers, that you're not inventing your own method, but obeying the Master in spirit and in truth. Luke 10:1, Acts 15:39-41, Philippians 2:19-22 All show us that early evangelism and ministry was relational and cooperative.
Post-Ministry Edification: After witnessing, preaching, teaching, counselling, Elders can discuss what went well, what was missed, and encourage one another. This builds endurance, wisdom, and sharper countenance for future encounters. Proverbs 27:17 says “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Solo ministry lacks this critical reflection and growth process.
Greater Reach and Effectiveness: Two or more ministers can cover more ground, engage more people, and handle multiple things at once, without feeling overwhelmed. In Acts 17:1-4, Paul reasoned with the Jews while Silas and Timothy supported and followed up (Acts 17:10, 14).
It Honors God’s Design: Simply put, going out by two's is what God commanded in the very least, it is something that is modeled by Christ, and commanded by Him and observed in the Old and New Testament. Following this doctrine not only brings about practical benefits, but obedience to God. (1 Samuel 2:30)
It Establishes Christ’s "Presence" in the Ministering:
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. -Matthew 18:20
There are many dangers of Ministering alone, and in truth, one cannot truly ministry with any true efficacy alone except by God who uses the donkey that does so (pun intended). There are times when God has audibly called people to go alone, only to be accompanied later, and other times where people are attempting to obey God and go out together, only to be abandoned. In each case such people are obeying God. When one openly chooses to go out alone, they are in direct disobedience to God’s commands. Is this what true Christians do? Disobey God on purpose? Again, I return the line: I think not, and I hope you do also.
SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
From the Old to the New Testament, the standard of two or more to witness for performing godly ministry has been established. From the Prophets of old, to , the Apostles and even to Jesus Christ Himself. All were either sent by two, accompanied by two, and supported by many. The early church, guided by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles, never adopted solo ministry as a norm.
The precedent was clear from Christ Himself who sent disciples out two by two, and the church simply continued that pattern. Any deviations from this were circumstantial, not intentional, and were often resolved by restoring fellowship and partnership quickly thereafter. If we are to model our evangelism and ministry after the early church and its Spirit-led examples, we cannot justify modern solo efforts as normative, let alone ideal.
If it is required of Jesus, who is God to have that second witness, who is His Equal, being the Father, then it is required of you, to have a contemporary in your endeavors. One final rebuttal a person might reply with is, what about the Holy Spirit, He is my second witness.
Well then ask yourself, if the Holy Spirit could serve as the second Witness, then why did He continue to send people out by twos in the New Testament? Why was it continually modelled for us in ministry? When did anyone in scripture point to the Holy Spirit as a sufficient contemporary like partner to witness with? Surely God can speak, yet where does scripture say our countenance sharpening comes from? Is it not another man?
Did Paul feel the need to be alone because of the Holy Spirit, or did not even he who went to the third heaven declare his need for his brothers, loving many as dear to his heart.
Can the unbelieving hear the Holy Spirit or see Him? Can you? Can you audibly hear Him and converse with Him, and be corrected by Him like you could be a Brother or Sister in Christ? Was he sent as the Second Witness, or as The Comforter?
Where do you find any scriptural support for that as the standard, or even as an example, where a believer denied the need for fellowship, correction, and a second witness, by citing the Holy Spirit as sufficient. And if the Holy Spirit, then why did God require people in the Old and New Testament to require a second witness? Is not the Holy Spirit God? Yet God commanded another human as the standard, are you above God and His standard?
If you believe so, perhaps you need more than this teaching can provide, but from the Biblical example alone, Sola Scriptura, you can find no normative practice of solo ministry. So I rest my case.
The Law of Two Witnesses is a biblical standard of all forms of Ministry. We are to serve one another, love one another, exhort each other daily, and to rebuke one another, and make each other strong. That is our calling, that is our call, that is our standard. You are not a Christian if you deny Christ, and to deny Christ is more than to apostatize openly, it is also to deny His Word secretly.
If you have come this far, and choose to still evangelize alone, pastor alone, or teach alone: It is to your own peril that you embark, and it is outside of the biblical prescription given. It is pride, and not obedience, and I greatly fear for you. Not that God can’t or won’t use you, but that you lose all rewards potentially. God can use anyone for any means He sees fit. Nebuchadnezzar was His servant, yet he was wicked. All can be used by God for His purpose, so no justification exists. If someone gets saved by God, through your service in sharing the Gospel, Praise God, good for them, but bad for you if you do it unlawfully. So instead, be like Christ, and do it lawfully, and thus you will be blameless in your ministry as you are called to be.
Brothers and Sisters, let us be wise. Let us follow the scriptures, and not invent new ways and new reasonings to deny the truth of scripture, let us whole heartedly preach, teach, baptize, make disciples and evangelize together, and aim to decrease ourselves, in order to increase the name Jesus Christ.
