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The author’s views are founded on the thesis that the Prologue to the Fourth Gospel is based on an early Christian hymn from the second part of the 1st century, originating in the diaspora, interwoven with additions that connect it with the whole Gospel.

True humanness reaches its fulfillment in Christ. It is faith that enables one to appreciate fully that gift of humanness, its value and its meaning, as well as to realize the marital-familial vocation. Testimony given to Christ in the Christian family takes on a more visible form as it harmonizes with the mature testimony of humanness. An important role of testimony in the family expresses itself in the objectives of this testimony. The testimony of humanness expresses itself in the task of building a community of persons and lasting marriage, respect towards persons and the human body, and commitment to maturing love and the realization of parenthood. Testimony of faith is connected with the task of professing God’s Word, realization of one’s baptismal priesthood, love and apostolate. Sacramental grace and prayer enable spouses and other family members to fully discover and realize these tasks.

Streszczenie. Bogactwo Łukaszowej teologii na temat świadectwa nie pozwoliło autorowi artykułu na objęcie wszystkich jej aspektów. Studium podjęło jedynie główne wątki, które do niej należą. Jednakże, obok oczywistych kwestii takich jak świadectwo apostołów, jego treść i odbiorcy, artykuł zawiera jeszcze charakterystykę innych osób uczestniczących w przekazywaniu ludziom Dobrej Nowiny o zbawieniu. Motywem najsilniej zaakcentowanym w artykule jest świadectwo samego Boga. Pozostając dla człowieka nieustającą tajemnicą, nigdy nie przestaje On uczestniczyć w jego historii i dawać świadectwo na temat swoich zbawczych planów. Mimo że liczba tekstów w Dziejach Apostolskich łączących poszczególne Osoby Trójcy Świętej ze świadectwem jest niewielka, należy je uznać za fundamentalnie ważne dla Łukszowej teologii świadectwa.

Niniejszy artykuł stanowi analizę znaczenia i funkcji Jana Chrzciciela jako świadka Jezusa Chrystusa w czwartej Ewangelii. Aktywność Jana Chrzciciela jako prekursora i świadka Mesjasza zostaje ukazana w szerszym kontekście narracji Janowej, w której świadectwo Ojca, świadectwo Syna i świadectwo Ducha Świętego ma fundamentalne znaczenie dla zrozumienia teologicznego i egzystencjalnego orędzia czwartej Ewangelii. Artykuł złożony jest z trzech części: 1. Terminologia i znaczenie świadectwa w czwartej Ewangelii; 2. Jan Chrzciciel jako świadek w narracji Ewangelii Janowej; 3. Teologiczne implikacje posłannictwa Jana Chrzciciela jako świadka Chrystusa. W niniejszym artykule autor ukazuje, że świadectwo Jana Chrzciciela nie traci nic na swojej aktualności dla współczesnego człowieka XXI wieku.

Homilia jest naturalnym jest miejscem chrześcijańskiego świadectwa. Objawienie Boże, którego kontynuacją jest przepowiadanie słowa Bożego, ma bowiem charakter dialogiczny. Bóg udzielając siebie samego w głoszeniu Słowa daje świadectwo o sobie oraz oczekuje na odpowiedź człowieka, która rodzi się z doświadczenia osobowego spotkania z Nim. Odpowiedź ta przyjmuje zatem charakter świadectwa o spotkaniu człowieka z Bogiem. Świadectwo chrześcijańskiego życia jest potwierdzeniem mocy słowa Bożego, jego weryfikacją i ilustracją. W przepowiadaniu homilijnym świadectwo wiary może dojść do głosu w różny sposób, zawsze jednak z ust homilisty. Głosiciel słowa Bożego może w sposób pośredni przekazać doświadczenie Boga kogoś z wierzących lub swoje własne. Homilista ma zaświadczyć o tym, że „widział i słyszał” (doświadczył) Boga w słowie Boże, w liturgii i w życiu wiernych. Homilia jest bowiem słuchaniem Chrystusa obecnego w Piśmie Świętym, oglądaniem Go w ramach liturgii oraz zaświadczaniem o Jego działaniu w życiu wierzących.

Przedmiotem analizy jest tekst Iz 43,8-13, który stanowi ważny moment w procesie sądowym, który Jahwe prowadzi z obcymi narodami i czczonymi przez nich bogami. Proces stanowi o dynamice narracyjnej Deutero-Izjasza. Dochodzi do zwrotu akcji w toczącym się procesie – Izrael z pozycji świadka Jahwe sam staje się oskarżony o odrzucenie powołania do bycia świadkiem. Poszukiwanie przyczyn nieudanego świadectwa Izraela o Bogu łączy się z odczytaniem treści tego świadectwa. Bóg nie rezygnuje z objawienia się światu i swoim świadkiem czyni postać nazwaną Sługą Jahwe, który nie tylko doprowadzi świat do poznania prawdy o Bogu, ale również usprawiedliwi Izrael i inne narody, stając się „przymierzem ludu”.

Lektura Pierwszego Listu Jana rodzi pytanie o naturę świadectwa, które autor pisma składa wobec wspólnoty chrześcijańskiej przeżywającej wewnętrzny kryzys. Czy jest to świadectwo oparte na wyuczonej doktrynie, czy też wyrasta z doświadczenia historycznego autora? Jest to w gruncie rzeczy pytanie o autorytet prezentowanej nauki. Słownictwo zastosowane zwłaszcza w Prologu Listu pozwala określić go jako świadectwo teologiczne. Nie polega ono jedynie na wiernym przywoływaniu z pamięci przeszłych wydarzeń historycznych, gdyż w 1 J autor nie odnosi się wprost do słów i czynów ziemskiego Jezusa. Jest ono raczej traktowaniem zaistniałych faktów jako „źródła teraźniejszości”. Świadectwo to posiada silny autorytet, ponieważ wyrasta z dwóch źródeł: relacji naocznego świadka paschalnego życia Jezusa Chrystusa oraz refleksji nad egzystencjalnymi konsekwencjami tego historio-zbawczego wydarzenia w obliczu aktualnych potrzeb wspólnoty.

Słowo wstępne redaktora naczelnego

Autor szuka odpowiedzi na dwa pytania: kto jest „tym, który widział” i „dał świadectwo” o tym, że z otwartego boku Jezusa ukrzyżowanego „wypłynęła krew i woda” (J 19,34-35)?; jaki jest sens teologiczny przytoczonego świadectwa? Przytacza argumenty, które wskazują, że tym świadkiem, który „mówi „prawdę”, jest „umiłowany uczeń”, idealny autor czwartej Ewangelii. A najgłębsza treść jego świadectwa dotyczy rozumienia śmierci i zmartwychwstania Jezusa jako Ofiary, która jest dla wierzących w Niego wraz z „umiłowanym uczniem” źródłem Ducha (woda), który niesie im Chrystusa żyjącego w synowskiej relacji z Ojcem (krew), czyli Życie.

L'articolo tratta del martirio dei preti di Pelplin, di cioe le vittime delta seconda guerra mondiale, morti in nome della fedelta a Dio ed alla loro vocazione. Tutti che hanno subito la morte dalle mani dei nazisti per causa del loro odio verso la fede, hanno conservato la fede ed hanno dato agli altri la testimonianza delta fedelta a Dio.Le varie forme delta fedelta a Dio e alla loro vocazione si puo intravedere da tutti i candidati all'onore di martirio. Dagli uni dominava un ministero sacramentale, dagli altri un lavoro intellettuale, ancora dagli altri una preoccupazione per i poveri e bisognosi. ,,Vi sono diversita di carismi, ma uno solo e lo Spirito; vi sono diversita di ministeri, ma uno solo e il Signore; vi sono diversita di operazioni, ma uno solo e Dio, che opera tutto in tutti" (1 Corinzi 12,4-6).Si presenta la fedelta a Dio ed alla Nocazione sacerdotale: coll'assistenza per i poveri sull'esempio di vita e martirio di Rev. Antoni Henryk Szuman ( 1882-1939); coll'edilizia degli oggetti sacrali di Rev. Konstantyn Krefft ( 1867 -1940); col paziente subire di picchiate ed umiliazioni di Rev. Paweł Prabucki (1893-1942). Pure anche un lavoro intellettuale e una forma di fedelta a Dio. Ce ne hanno dato un esempio il Rev. Józef Roskwitalski (1893-1939) e Rev. Piotr Sosnowski (1899-1939). La difesa della castita e intoccabilita della natura umana davanti al martirio e stata una forma di fedelta presentata da Rev. Reginald Krzyżanowski (1894-1939) e Rev. Jan Lesiński (1908-1940). Rev. Bernard Łosiński (1865-1940) ha dato un esempio di un uomo umile, particolarmente davanti alla morte. Rev. Jan Hamerski (1880-1939) ha sperimentato una particolare forza di proclamazione della parola di Dio. Rev. Cyryl Karczyński (1884-1940) fu un eccezionale propagatore della cultura popolare polacca. Infine Rev. Franciszek Nogalski (1911-1939) ha dato la sua vita per gli altri, e Rev. Stefan Radtke (1890-1940) s'e dimostrato veritiero dichiarando davanti degli oppressori di essere un sacerdote.Dei martiri presentati sono come una risposta ai dubbi dell'uomo contemporaneo che si chiede sulla possibilita e lo stato di una familianta dell'uomo con Dio. G li esempi di vita dei martiri che umanamente parlando si sono trovati in una situazione senza uscita, sono un ammonimento su come non abbattersi davanti al male ed alla violenza trionfanti.

In the Greek version of the Book of Sirach the term martu,rion (testimony) appears twice. Besides Sir 36:14, the word appears also in the Praise of the Ancestors in reference to Aaron (Sir 45:17). Moses’ brother is described there as the one who is to teach Jacob the testimonies (dida,xai to.n Iakwb ta. martu,ria), an expression that is missing from all other Biblical texts referring to Aaron. Therefore, the context of this expression, i.e. the praise of Aaron in Sir 45:6-22, is first analyzed and then various textual versions of Sir 45:17 are compared. Understanding the meaning of the term testimony in this context is made possible by the analysis of this word in other Biblical contexts, both those connected with the history of Aaron and the Sinai covenant as well as other, unrelated texts. Finally, the expression referring to Aaron is placed within the times of Sirach and those of the translator of the Greek version of the book. The key to understanding Sir 45:17 is found in the function and significance of the post-exile high priest. He is – as understood in the Book of Sirach – the only mediator between God and his people, and thus becomes the living symbol of covenant, responsible for transmitting testimonies: the Word of God, the content and requirements implied by the covenant made with God.

The article explores the phenomenon of Christian testimony present in experiences of persecution and in the death of martyrs, those who have given their lives for Christ. The primary sources for our reflection are the preserved descriptions of martyrdom (passio, acta martyrum). Martyrdom is commonly considered as the highest form of Christian testimony, thus it is useful to examine how it is present in the direct testimonies of the passion and death of the Christians of the first centuries, in that period of persecutions when indeed the theology of martyrdom first awakened and the witness of a Christian’s life and death took on particular importance. The article discusses the issue of testimony from different points of view: the witness of written testimonies, the testimony of the earthly lives of the martyrs, the testimony of their faith, and testimony of the act of martyrdom itself.

The theological meaning of the word ‘ēdût, which is used in the priestly narrative about the construction of the Tent of Meeting, has long been a topic of debate. A synchronic analysis allows us to see in it “two stone tablets”, a kind of artifact which Moses puts into the Ark and which is not to be seen again. It symbolizes and brings to mind all the words of God passed on by Moses at Sinai. On other hand, diachronic analysis allows us to think that the idea of the Ark did not belong to the priestly strata of PG but rather was added later (PS). It has also been suggested that in P originally the Ark was called the Ark of Meeting and then the Ark of Testimony (the connection between j‘d and ‘dwt → ‘d). In its original form, the narrative about the Ark might have suggested the traditional role of the object: it symbolized the presence of God and was understood as the footstool of His invisible throne, where the treaty was kept. Later, the concept of the place of meeting with God was transferred to the Ark-cover (kappōret), and ‘ēdût (Testimony) became the symbol of the covenant stipulations. In the final phase it came to mean the two stone tablets with the Decalogue.

The subject of the present study is the words of Jesus presented in John 5:39: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me.” A larger apologetic speech of Jesus constitutes the immediate context of this statement; within the structure of the Fourth Gospel this discourse follows the description of the healing of the paralytic at the Bethesda Pool (cf. John 5:1-47). The monologue is the response of Jesus to certain Jews who strongly objected to his activity during the Sabbath day and to Jesus’ likening himself to the Father. Exchanging arguments in his own defence, Jesus quotes the testimony of the Scriptures. Investigation of the Old Testament texts clearly points to Jesus, and thus His claims to take action on a holy day are fully justified.

Announcing God’s Word in connection with witnessing is the most basic of the Church’s tasks, stemming directly from its nature. In the first centuries of the Church, Christians often faced misunderstanding and persecution. This article presents quite an original conception of Origen (died ca. AD 253) concerning the issue of witnessing in its most radical form: martyrdom. Adamantios calls that the “baptism of blood”, treating it as the perfect form of advocating for Christ (imitatio Christi). Martyrdom is a projection of Christ’s paschal mystery. The baptism of blood cooperates with the passion sacrifice of the Savior in a great soteriologic process of redemption and purification of the world, leading all people to eschatological, glorious union with God in the glory of heaven. The heroic ideal of perfection outlined by Origen aimed not only at strengthening Christians during their testing and persecution, but also at reminding them of the basic task of apostolic mission: witnessing by all Christ’sbelievers.

The article studies the narrative schemes in Acts in order to show how the apostles and other Christians became witnesses of the Resurrection. After his Resurrection in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would enable the apostles to be witnesses to the events of Salvation. In Acts, Peter and the apostles choose Matthias to be a witness, since he was present from the beginning of Jesus' ministry through the Resurrection. Peter’s Pentecost discourse to the Jews gathered is similar to Paul’s defence of Jesus’ Resurrection in Acts 13, in that both the apostles and Paul become missionary witnesses to all the things Jesus did, particularly proclaiming his Resurrection. Paul, therefore, becomes a creditable witness to Jesus on account of God’s calling and the Holy Spirit. His speeches in Acts are proof that he knows the Resurrected Christ and has received the Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit makes Cornelius a witness though Peter, Paul receives the Holy Spirit through Ananias, enabling him to prophesy and witness to Jesus to the ends of the earth. Narrative techniques in Acts aim at showing the reader the way to becoming a witness.

The aim of this article is to analyze three difficult aspects of testimony in the Book of Psalms: (1) the term עדות‘ēdut in the titles of certain Psalms (Ps 60:1; 80:1); (2) understanding who or what is referred to as a witness in Ps 89:38; and (3) the proper translation of עדות ‘ēdut, and its meaning, in its multiple uses in Ps 119. First, as background, the author synthetically depicts what the psalms say generally regarding the notion of testimony. Proceeding to the focal issues, he first analyzes עדות ‘ēdut in the titles of the two psalms and concludes that the term should be interpreted as an independent title and translated as “testimony”. The next section presents the current understandings of who or what is a witness in Ps 89:38 (rainbow, sun, moon, throne, God), and proposes a new messianic interpretation. In the final part, after the presentation of various translations, the author suggests interpreting עדות ‘ēdut in Psalm 119 as a technical term, properly translated in Psalm 119 always as “testimony”.

The present article deals with the studies of testimony in the Gospel of Luke, focusing on the testimony of the disciples of Jesus. In the introduction the author outlines the theme of testimony in the double work of Luke-Acts as compared to other New Testament writings, and explains the meaning of giving testimony and being a witness according to the Third Evangelist. The exegetical study of texts, describing the missionary activity of the disciples in Luke shows that they were acting as witnesses in several stages. In the first stage the Twelve are witnesses sent by Jesus to proclaim the kingdom of God in Galilee. The second stage is the testimony of the seventy-two disciples sent on a mission to proclaim the kingdom of God in Samaria and Galilee. The radicalism of the requirements resembles the radicalism of Jesus’ life, and yields the special character of the disciples’ testimony. The object and the quality of the disciples’ testimony are changed after the Easter events. The disciples have to reckon with persecution, which turned into an opportunity to give testimony inspired by the Holy Spirit. The missionary commandment given by the Risen Lord, being simultaneously a testimony commandment, is preceded by the empowerment of the disciples with supernatural gifts from the Risen Lord, and conditioned by acceptance of the Holy Spirit. The object of disciples’ testimony after Easter will be the passion, the death, and above all the resurrection of Christ based on the prophecies of the Old Testament, and conversion with forgiveness of sins in His name. The testimony of the apostolic community of disciples would be taken from Palestine to all nations on Earth.