Three is one

[hopeinGod]

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

So much of our Christian life can be seen as triune, in three parts. For instance, God is threefold. We all agree to this, right? That He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We agree that we are made in His image, and therefore are also triune creatures: spirit, soul and body.

But what about the above verse? What connects the Spirit, water and blood? Do they form something together, like we are formed? Combined, what do they indicate?

I think I have an answer to this, but I'd like to get some input first.
David

 

[1watchman]

Hello friend. Verse 8 and v.6 go together and speak of God's testimony. Water speaks of both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in the Bible, depending how it is used. Blood refers to the Son of Man who is God manifest to man by the life of blood ---precious truths!

The Word, and the blood of Christ in both life and His death, and the Spirit of God dwelling in "born again" saints is the full testimony of the presence of the Godhead.

 

[Neogaia777]

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

So much of our Christian life can be seen as triune, in three parts. For instance, God is threefold. We all agree to this, right? That He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We agree that we are made in His image, and therefore are also triune creatures: spirit, soul and body.

But what about the above verse? What connects the Spirit, water and blood? Do they form something together, like we are formed? Combined, what do they indicate?

I think I have an answer to this, but I'd like to get some input first.
David

You know, I don't exactly know, but I will be waiting to hear your's and others takes on this...

P.S. Yes, I agree that God is a triune God.

God Bless!

 

[ALoveDivine]

This is kind of unrelated, but I recently thought of this. Have you ever thought about what the fundamental elements of the universe are? We know matter itself is just energy in a particular form. So what does that leave us? It leaves us with three things which describe the universe;

Energy, space, and time. I'm willing to bet that God has woven trinities all throughout the fabric of creation.

 

[abysmul]

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

So much of our Christian life can be seen as triune, in three parts. For instance, God is threefold. We all agree to this, right? That He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We agree that we are made in His image, and therefore are also triune creatures: spirit, soul and body.

But what about the above verse? What connects the Spirit, water and blood? Do they form something together, like we are formed? Combined, what do they indicate?

I think I have an answer to this, but I'd like to get some input first.
David

Worth a read:
https://bible.org/article/textual-problem-1-john-57-8

 

[hopeinGod]

I appreciate the replies. The "comma" interpretation spoke of the Trinity and the placement of a comma, not exactly what I was looking for.

So, here's what I believe very strongly, and that it is born out in Scripture. The Spirit, water and blood are BAPTISMS.

Yes, the book of Hebrews speaks of the "doctrine of baptims". Not singular, but plural. Many of us realize water baptism and why it was given (I would hope). Others believe in a distinctly separate second experience in Christ known as the baptism of the Holy Ghost. We can easily find scriptures the place these two together: Spirit and baptism.

However, the third baptism is the mind-blower. Remember, "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins." And also, placing blood within the context of sprinkling we read, "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: 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?"

We experience a baptism in blood when we are justified through the quickening of our spirits; we experience water baptism, which is the immersion on our bodies in water: and, Spirit baptism to empower our souls to do works, to change inwardly, to be renewed, to lay aside every weight, to run the race, to make right and forcible choices, etc.

Blood baptism for the spirit; Spirit baptism for the soul; and water baptism for the body. Threefold baptisms for the threefold man/woman.

 

[Norah63]

I have just never understood why that certain word trinity was the deciding factor.
Not a bible word yet holds such importance.

 

[hopeinGod]

I have just never understood why that certain word trinity was the deciding factor.
Not a bible word yet holds such importance.

Maybe you've just not seen it as it is revealed in separate, but agreeing verses. On the day of Pentecost, Peter said, "This same Jesus who God had raised from the dead..."

Jesus Himself said "'destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' This spake He of His body."

Paul writing to the Romans gave us this, "If the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you...."

Here, so plainly, we see the Trinity. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit raised Christ from the dead. Those verses, more than any others, make it clear to us that those three, working together, is deeply important.
David

 

[hopeinGod]

Another verse that relates Christ's shed blood as a baptism is, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death," which does not mean water or spirit, but blood. It was through His shed blood that we have remission of sins, and only can we come into Christ by His blood. That is the doorway to justification, not water or spirit.

 

[MWood]

Another verse that relates Christ's shed blood as a baptism is, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death," which does not mean water or spirit, but blood. It was through His shed blood that we have remission of sins, and only can we come into Christ by His blood. That is the doorway to justification, not water or spirit.

Eph 4:4-6
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1Cor 12:13& 27
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular.

Good reading!

 

[Alithis]

trinity .. an incredibly insufficient word in mans limited and vain ability to encapsulate with words the infinite eternal invisible and almighty one true living God .

 

[hopeinGod]

I think you're over-reacting, Michael, over a name given to a truth. Would you prefer we call Him the Triune Being or the Higher Power? God is in three persons, period. How you would like to respect that truth is up to you. Or maybe you don't believe in the Trinity. In which case, you would have a tough time proving that in Scripture. The only ones I know who contend to a fault on that are the United Pentecostals, and they still haven't been able to prove it. Maybe, for you, you should simply call Him Father, or Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, or the Mighty Counselor, or the Great Comforter. They're all Scriptural.

 

[hopeinGod]

Eph 4:4-6
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1Cor 12:13& 27
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular.

Good reading!

I knew these verses would come flying through the air in seconds. Then, please explain Heb. 6, the doctrine of BAPTISMS. I guess one of them had it wrong, huh? Truth is, there is oneness and there is a triune Godhead. It's undeniable. Again, please explain the doctrine of baptisms (plural), please.

 

[Alithis]

I think you're over-reacting, Michael, over a name given to a truth. Would you prefer we call Him the Triune Being or the Higher Power? God is in three persons, period. How you would like to respect that truth is up to you. Or maybe you don't believe in the Trinity. In which case, you would have a tough time proving that in Scripture. The only ones I know who contend to a fault on that are the United Pentecostals, and they still haven't been able to prove it. Maybe, for you, you should simply call Him Father, or Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, or the Mighty Counselor, or the Great Comforter. They're all Scriptural.

lol,no not overreacting.just giving the term "trinity" some perspective.
I believe God is more then the trinity,more then we can comprehend though we live everlastingly in him.

 

[jbearnolimits]

I knew these verses would come flying through the air in seconds. Then, please explain Heb. 6, the doctrine of BAPTISMS. I guess one of them had it wrong, huh? Truth is, there is oneness and there is a triune Godhead. It's undeniable. Again, please explain the doctrine of baptisms (plural), please.

HopeinGod, I enjoyed reading about your view on the water, spirit, and blood baptisms. It is indeed something to look into.

I wanted to point out something.

1 John 5:2-5
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?

This is the subject. The question is asked "who overcomes the world?" And then the answer is given that it is the person who believes Jesus is the Son of God.

From there it begins to qualify that statement:

1 John 5:7-8
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.

These verses are speaking about the proof of who believes. In heaven we see that God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost testify as to who the true believers are.

Here on earth we see that it is the Spirit, water, and blood that testify to who is real and who is not. The Spirit is seen through the fruits (love, joy, peace...and so on).

The water is our actions. Because water baptism is simply an action we take which proves our faith. It is a statement made that we will live for God and not ourselves. It is kind of like the symbolism of putting a wedding ring on our spouses hand.

The blood, this is where it all starts. This is where we accept Jesus by faith, which leads to our actions, which lead to the fruit of the spirit.

All three of these are one. You can not have one without the other.

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.

 

[hopeinGod]

HopeinGod, I enjoyed reading about your view on the water, spirit, and blood baptisms. It is indeed something to look into.

I wanted to point out something.

1 John 5:2-5
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?

This is the subject. The question is asked "who overcomes the world?" And then the answer is given that it is the person who believes Jesus is the Son of God.

From there it begins to qualify that statement:

1 John 5:7-8
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.

These verses are speaking about the proof of who believes. In heaven we see that God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost testify as to who the true believers are.

Here on earth we see that it is the Spirit, water, and blood that testify to who is real and who is not. The Spirit is seen through the fruits (love, joy, peace...and so on).

The water is our actions. Because water baptism is simply an action we take which proves our faith. It is a statement made that we will live for God and not ourselves. It is kind of like the symbolism of putting a wedding ring on our spouses hand.

The blood, this is where it all starts. This is where we accept Jesus by faith, which leads to our actions, which lead to the fruit of the spirit.

All three of these are one. You can not have one without the other.

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.

Excellent points. I didn't give thought to the words heaven and earth. But I'd like to know how an unbeliever can witness what is taking place in heaven that bears record to the Trinity. I don't think he/she can. Only he that is in Christ can say that Jesus came in the flesh, and that He is Who He truly is.

On earth, I can agree that the Spirit, water and blood can be experienced and thereby can bear witness internally to the believer, but not outwardly to the unbeliever. These passages on bearing witness must, obviously, be written to the saved only, not the unsaved.

 

[alex2165]

THREE WITNESSES IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH.​

This is quite interesting issue, I do not know if I am wrong or right, but by closely look at these three verses I came up with this conclusion.

1John 5.6-8
6.This is the One Who came by Water and Blood is Jesus Christ, not with the Water only, but with the Water and with Blood.

7.And it is the Spirit Who bears Witness, because the Spirit is the Truth.

8.For there a Three that bear Witness: The Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood, and there Three are in agreement.

The Trinity of Christ in verses 6 and 8, in this instance is presented in Three different forms as our Witnesses that we are belonging to GOD:

As a Holy Spirit of GOD Father – The Spirit.
As the Water of Baptism – the Water.
And as the Blood of Chris – Blood.

Concerning Holy Spirit: The Jesus Christ appears to us in the Holy Spirit when He came to Earth, because He contained in Himself the Holy Spirit of His Heavenly Father Who sent Him to the Earth to save the world.

Concerning Water: When Jesus Christ was baptized in physical water from John the Baptist, by this Jesus Christ prepared Himself for His future burial, which was the custom of Jews when they wash the body of desist with water and then wrap it in the linen cloth.(John 19.40)

Another words, Jesus Christ was baptized into His Own death, to die for the sins of the world that He had took upon Himself. (To Romans 6.3-5)

Also can be added to it and another meaning of the Baptism of Christ which can be seen in His symbolic Baptism of Cleansing of our sins from Himself when He took them all and nailed all of them to the cross together with His physical body. So by this action He put to death our sins, and by Baptism of John cleanses His pure innocent body from our dead sins.

Concerning Blood: Our Lord Jesus Christ spill His Blood for us, because without spilling of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ presented Himself as a Sacrifice to His Father GOD for our sins, and by this action of Christ everyone who accept Jesus Christ as a Sacrifice for own sins, and believe that He is the Son of GOD and Messiah Whom the GOD Father sent to die for us on the cross, everyone who believes in Him have been saved by His Blood, and forgiven by His Father, and saved for the Eternal Life in His Heavenly Kingdom.

And this is why Jesus Christ presented here in these Three different Things as Three Witnesses, such as:
In His Holy Spirit as Christ, in the Water of His Baptism, and in His Blood on the cross, all these Three serve as Witnesses of Jesus Christ Who truly came from the GOD Father and saved the world.

These Three Witnesses of Christ also serve and as our own Witnesses then we will face the Day of Judgment and Redemption. And those of us who baptized in the water for good conscience, and those who accept Sacrifice of Christ and His Blood as removal of our sins, such people posses the Holy Spirit of Christ in their souls, and all these Three Witnesses Testifying on our behalf before His Heavenly Father that we are His children, the children of Almighty GOD.

In some Bibles the verse 8 indicates these Three Witnesses as the Witnesses on Earth, because Christ conducted all these three things while being among us.

And verse 7 in some Bibles indicates the Spirit of Truth as GOD Father, and a Word as Jesus Christ (John 1.1-2), and Their Holy Spirit as our Witnesses in Heaven.

So if take all of it into consideration it will appear that Witnesses in Heaven and the Witnesses on Earth Are all our Witnesses in the Day of Redemption and Salvation.

 

[jbearnolimits]

But I'd like to know how an unbeliever can witness what is taking place in heaven that bears record to the Trinity.

Actually it is the trinity that bears record of the believer. It is not about proving God, it is about proving us. These verses are telling us the three in heaven and the three in earth that testify about those who are believers.

It is like God being your witness in heaven and your works by faith being your witness here on earth. In heaven Satan is being shown that we belong to God through the testimony of God Himself. Here on earth unbelievers as well as believers are being shown that we belong to God through our (follow me on the order here) works which come through faith, which works by love.