Listen to sermons at FreeGraceRadio.com

Sermon #46 — 1st John Series

Title: “tHE sPIRIT, AND THE wATER,

AND THE bLOOD”

Text: 1 John 5:8

Subject: Faith Verified

Date: Tuesday Evening — October 8, 2013

Recording# 1st John #46

Readings: Bob Poncer and Bob Duff

Introduction:

1 John 5:1-13 (1) Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (6) This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. (7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (8) And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (9) If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. (10) He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

My text is 1st John 5:8. The title of my message is “tHE sPIRIT, AND THE wATER, AND THE bLOOD.”

1 John 5:8 (8) And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

In verse seven, John declares the unified testimony of the Triune God in heaven of redemption accomplished by the doing and dying of our dear Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:7 (7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Here the apostle gives us the unified testimony of the Gospel.

“There are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (1 John 5:8)

The Spirit of God, by the Word of the Gospel bears witness that Jesus is the Christ. This is the fundamental and essential point of Gospel preaching. The Spirit of God, speaking by the Gospel through His servants, makes known to men on the earth the Person and work of Christ.

· Who is Christ?

· Why did He come to this earth?

· What did He accomplish here?

· Where is He now?

All of God’s children bear witness to Christ by their confession of the Gospel in the waters of baptism (Romans 6:4-6).

“4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6:4-6)

And the people of God bear witness to Christ, showing forth the Lord’s death by drinking his blood in the Lord’s Supper. The two ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are like the two cherubs over the mercy-seat, looking to one another. The one is remembrance; the other is anticipation. The burial of our bodies in waters of baptism portray the fulfilment of all righteousness in the accomplishment of redemption by the sin-atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary (Matthew 3:13-17).

Matthew 3:13-17 (13) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan (about 60 miles) unto John, to be baptized of him. (14) But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? (15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (16) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: (17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

As baptism confesses redemption accomplished, the Lord’s Supper remembers it. The Holy Ghost tells us that it is “the communion of the blood of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:16).

Don’t ever think that the ordinances of the Gospel are insignificant. By these things we give witness to one another, witness to our sons and daughters, witness to the world, and witness to God in heaven that Jesus is the Christ. And by these things we testify that we belong to Him, that we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Throughout this chapter, the Apostle John was inspired by God the Holy Spirit to give us reason upon reason upon reason for assurance before God. Throughout the chapter John is verifying true faith in Christ. So I want us to focus our thoughts on verse 8, where this great apostle, inspired by God the Holy Spirit, tells us how God Himself stamps assurance upon the hearts of His elect by His gift of life and faith in Christ. That is what verse 8 is talking about. Verse 7 is God’s witness for us in heaven of redemption accomplished by Christ. Verse 8 is God’s witness in us. — “tHE sPIRIT, AND THE wATER, AND THE bLOOD.”

1 John 5:8 (8) And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Let’s look briefly at these three great witnesses God plants in our sous in the new birth: “The Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood.”

The Spirit

First, John tells us that the Spirit, God the Holy Spirit, bears witness in the earth. Without question He does this in many ways. He distinctly bears witness in the earth by the testimony of Holy Scripture.

· In the Publication of Holy Scripture — By Divine Inspiration

· In the Preservation of Holy Scripture

· In the Preaching of Holy Scripture

But in this verse of Scripture, 1st John 5:8, it seems obvious to me that John is talking about God’s witness in the hearts of His elect on earth. He is talking about the basis and cause of assurance, assured faith, assured hope, assured knowledge, assured understanding. By the witness of God in our souls God’s saints, while living in this world, are able to live and walk in “the full assurance of understanding,” “the full assurance of hope,” and “the full assurance of faith” in Christ (Colossians 2:2; Hebrews 6:11; 10:22).

Let me show you from the Word of God how God the Spirit bears witness in us that we are born of God (1 John 5:6; Romans 8:16).

1 John 5:6 (6) This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Romans 8:16 (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

1. He bears witness with us by Holy Ghost conviction (John 16:7-11).

John 16:7-11 (7) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (9) Of sin, because they believe not on me; (10) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (11) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

2. The Spirit of God bears witness in us by the gift of faith in Christ, revealing the love of God for our souls in us, perfecting in us the love of God (1 John 4:16-18; Romans 5:5; Galatians 4:4-5).

1 John 4:16-18 (16) And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Romans 5:1-5 (1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Galatians 4:4-5 (4) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

3. With the hyssop of God-given faith in Christ, God the Holy Spirit sprinkles our hearts and purges our consciences from dead works by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ (Romans 5:5-8; Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:19-22).

Romans 5:5-8 (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 9:11-14 (11) But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; (12) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (13) For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: (14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 10:19-22 (19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (21) And having an high priest over the house of God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

The Water

Second, John tells us that along with the witness of God the Holy Spirit in us is the witness of “the Water.” There is much debate about the meaning of the word “water” in 1st John 5:8. Good, faithful men differ greatly in what they think the word water represents. Some think that it represents the water of immersion. Others tell us that it represents the Holy Spirit. And others think the word “water” refers to the Word of God.

· The fact is, the word “water” is used in Scripture to refer to God the Holy Spirit, who springs up in the hearts of God’s saints as a well of living water.

· Water is also used, obviously, in connection with the watery grave of believers’ baptism.

· And “water” is used in the Bible to represent the Word of God by which we are washed in regeneration.

Because our text (1 John 5:8) is speaking specifically about the witness of God in us, the word “water” here cannot principally refer to the outward ordinance of believers’ baptism. Because John has already spoken of the internal work of God the Holy Spirit in us, the word “water” clearly does not here represent the Spirit of God. In this text, as is very often the case, the word “water” refers to the Word of God, the inspired volume of Holy Scripture, which is preached to us by the Gospel (1 Peter 1:18-25; Titus 3:3-7).

1 Peter 1:18-25 (18) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (21) Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (22) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (24) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Titus 3:3-7 (3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Standing before the Tabernacle was a great laver of brass in which those who entered the tabernacle were required to bathe themselves before entering into the presence of God. That holy bath portrayed the thing described here as the “washing of regeneration.” This is how our dear Savior sanctifies His Church, — “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26).

Hebrews 10:22 (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

The Blood

Third, the beloved Apostle tells us that “the Blood” witnesses in our souls, in our hearts, as God’s own testimony in us that we are born of God. When the chosen sinner, purchased by the precious blood of Christ, is born of God, the cleansing fountain is opened to the poor, dirty, trembling soul, and in the fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins he is experimentally made clean in his conscience before God (Zechariah 12:10; 13:1).

Zechariah 12:10 (10) And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Zechariah 13:1 (1) In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

As the blood of Christ sprinkled upon the mercy-seat obtained eternal redemption for our souls in the court of heaven, so the blood of Christ sprinkled upon the heart obtains eternal redemption for our souls experimentally in our consciences, delivering us from the guilt of sin and the fear of death and of judgment (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22).

Hebrews 9:14 (14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 10:22 (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Full Agreement

Fourth, take one more look at our text and learn this, among these three witnesses there is complete and perfect agreement.

1 John 5:8 (8) And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

All who have been redeemed by the precious, sin-atoning blood of Christ are born again and washed by the witness of the Gospel. All who are born again by the Word of God were redeemed by the sin-atoning blood of Christ at Calvary. And all who are granted the precious gift of faith in Christ by the mighty operations of God’s grace and power by the Holy Ghost are both redeemed and called. This, then, is God’s witness in us: —— “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God!”

Amen.

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s