The burden of proof concerning the two or three witness verses taken out of context is on you. You didn't show it to be misapplied in the verse you quoted nor in other verses when used in Scripture.
You made a comment about Bill Gothard misquoting it but you didn't show how or where he misquoted it. And you are only one witness to your accusation concerning Mr. Gothard. You yourself misapplied it, needing 2 or 3 witnesses to verify this.
(there are multitudes of the same phrase used THROUGHOUT the Bible & it applies in the same way in each of the cases.
Jesus even used it with the woman caught in adultery. There were more than 2 or 3 witnesses that brought the woman to Jesus. When Jesus challenged them that the first one without sin should cast the first stone, they all left, starting with the OLDEST person. Soon no witnesses were left to condemn her.
John 8:9-11 And they which heard
it, being convicted by
their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest,
even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
In church discipline according to Jesus' own teaching:
Matt 18:15,16 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16But if he will not hear
thee, then take with thee one or two more, that 'in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'
Deut 19:15 A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
John 8:17,18 Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am One who testifies about Myself, and the Father, who sent Me, also testifies about Me."
2 Cor 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."
Numbers 35:30 "If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death based on the word of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of one witness.
I Tim 5:17 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
I John 5:7,8 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
Heb 10:28 Anyone who rejected the Law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
