For there are three
that testify: 8 the Spirit and the
water and the blood; and these three agree.
THE STUDY:
This is a
very interesting passage of scripture. Some scholars have tried to link it with
the Trinitarian aspect of God. Some translators have even added certain wording
to bring this point out. But when we research the earliest manuscripts we find
no such thing.
The language of three may hint at a Trinitarian tendency
in John’s thinking. But, more likely, it was John’s expression of the Hebraic
standard of “two or three witnesses” (Deut 19:15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or
for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the
evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established).
John reports that three witnesses of
the gospel story—the Spirit, the water
and the blood—are in agreement. He stresses the agreement of their common
testimony because they have come from the witness of “the Spirit [who] is the
truth” (v 6).[1]
What it means here for the Spirit
to testify seems reasonably clear. The Spirit confirms to believers the truth
of the message about Jesus that they heard from the beginning (cf. 2:24–27). It
is more difficult to say how the water and the blood make up the second and
third witnesses. Normally witness is given by one person concerning another. However, in the Fourth Gospel, when
people will not accept Jesus’ own testimony about himself, he points them to
his works, for these, too, bear witness, albeit silent witness, to the truth
about him.[2]
WHAT WE CAN WALK
AWAY WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding that validation to the truth of Christ is found in the Spirit that dwells inside of us.
CONCLUSION:
I have stated many times, when sharing with
people, about hearing and confirming what you hear from Christ. God
communicates in 4 different ways: Devotions, reading scripture, meditating, and
life circumstances. All 4 will agree with the others. One will not contradict the
other.
My prayer for
you today is that you be affirmed in your spirit that the message of Jesus
Christ is the truth. That you hear from God this morning in one of the 4
different ways and that through that message you are assured of the love God
has for you.
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3
John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary
(163). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
[2]
Kruse, C. G. (2000). The letters of John.
The Pillar New Testament commentary (179). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester,
England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
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