There are three that testify. Actually more than three. Some people like three as a number, to suggest completeness of the testimony. Two or three witnesses are required, both in Old Testament Law and New Testament apostolic teaching. Let every matter be resolved by two or three witnesses. Jesus was challenged by some Jews who said he only testified for himself. He answered that two testimonies, as the Law required, were his own, plus that of the Father whose miraculous works given to Jesus were themselves the Father’s own testimony. It can only be true, of course, if Jesus is a completely distinct person and being to the Father. Later the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus’ followers. This Holy Spirit is another testimony. Three is even better than two. But hold on. Three is just the beginning. Then there is the individual testimony of each one who spent time with Jesus, directly experiencing his life and teachings and miracles. These gave testimony too. True testimony. Even today some of us have also enough experience of Jesus to be required to testify. Each one testifying is an individual person, a distinct being, free to think and speak and write independently and therefore giving valid testimony of what we each know is true, knowing it first hand, not from hear-say. Each testimony must be from an individual being. If these testimonies did not exist, well in John 8 it tells us Jesus’ testimony would still be valid, like that of John the Baptist, because he did not serve self-interests but only to please the Father. Yet the full three witness testimony requirement needed in the Law, laws echoed in the apostles’ teachings, is satisfied, Jesus said (John 8:18) by the Father being a separate testimony to that of Jesus Christ. Father is not the same being as the Son. We all need to be free to think and speak and act independently for our testimonies to be valid. That includes Jesus and also His Father, God. Otherwise Jesus was not being fully honest in John 8:18, and we know he abhors lies which he had just stated are of the devil. So Jesus did not lie. Those who follow him find this out. Believe his teachings, even if they contradict your theological stance.
