Thursday 2021.09.16
In the NT, I finishing reading the last two chapters of the First Epistle of John.
In 1 John chapter 5, we come across a passage from verses 6 to 12 that tells us that our Lord Iesus the Anointed came by "water and blood". To me, this refers to His baptism in water (a baptism that was consequently made available to all of us) and the shedding of his blood in his sacrificial death.
This coming of the Son of God by water and blood is attested to by the Holy Spirit, a "witness" who is given to all who believe in the Lord Iesus, and who are baptised in water (see our Lord's parting words to the Disciples in Mark 16:16; and the baptism of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31).
The apostle John took it one step further in verse 8 by putting together the water of baptism, the blood of our Lord, and the testimony of the Spirit as three witnesses, saying that "these three agree". In verse 9, he writes that this testimony of God is greater than the testimony of men, and "this is the testimony of God that He has borne witness to His Son".
1 John 5:6 - 12 RSV
This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. 7And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
8There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree.
9If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has borne witness to his Son.
10He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne to his Son.
11And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life.
Mark 16:15 - 16 RSV
15And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 16:28 - 34 RSV
28But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” 31And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. 34Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.
