1 John 5:6: This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
John’s epistle refutes this false teaching. It presents three infallible witnesses to prove that Jesus is God.
First witness—the water. The water refers to His baptism in Jordan, when the Father spoke from heaven and said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:13–17). This was the Father’s attestation of His Son at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
Second witness—the blood. But the Father gave further witness as the time drew near for Jesus to die. He spoke audibly to Jesus from heaven, and said, “I have both glorified [My name], and will glorify it again” (John 12:28). Jesus did not receive “the Christ” at His baptism and lose it at the cross. Father witnessed the deity of His Son.
Third witness—the Spirit. The Spirit was given to bear witness to Christ (John 15:26; 16:14). We can trust the Spirit’s witness because “the Spirit is truth.” We were not present at the baptism of Christ or at His death, but the Holy Spirit was present. The Holy Spirit is the only Person active on earth today who was present when Christ was ministering here. The witness of the Father is past history, but the witness of the Spirit is present experience. The first is external, the second is internal—and both agree. 1
Loving Him
How does the Holy Spirit use your life to bear witness that you belong to the Father?
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5
Loving Others
The witness of a surrendered life can quietly make a very loud statement. – TWEET IT
Make Me Like You
Lord, thank You for knowing and understanding everything I can not figure out.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
