1 John 5:6 This one is the who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water only but in the water and the blood; and the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἐλθὼν διʼ ὕδατος καὶ αἵματος, Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, οὐκ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι μόνον ἀλλʼ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι καὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι· καὶ τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν τὸ μαρτυροῦν, ὅτι τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν ἡ ἀλήθεια.
The meaning of this verse has been much debated. To what does water and blood refer? Possibly Jesus’ baptism and death on the cross. These two share the common idea of Jesus’ identification with sinners. Through baptism, Jesus took on the ministry of reconciliation, of bringing God and people together in a relationship. Jesus’ baptism was also a commissioning into the ministry of revelation of God’s love. As the one who reveals God’s love, Jesus is the one who also brings broken humanity back to God.
The Holy Spirit witnesses in several ways. When Jesus got out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon him. This should not be interpreted to mean that Jesus never had the Spirit, but this is an anointing and confirmation of the mission before him, like some people in the Old Testament experienced the filling of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit also confirms to believers in their faith that the death of Jesus brings salvation. The Holy Spirit brings new life and adoption as God’s children. Jesus’ sacrificial death confirms his baptism.
The Spirit is the witness of the truth and confirms to those who believe that the message of salvation through Jesus is the truth. There are a lot of claims of truth in this world. Some people even doubt that anything is ultimately true. The Bible never deviates from the claim that the truth is found in Jesus. To accept this will require faith.
For older posts, click here.