How does 1 John 5:6 affirm Jesus' divine nature through "water and blood"? Setting the Stage: The Verse in Focus “This is the One who came by water and blood: Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.” (1 John 5:6) Water and Blood: Two Moments That Define the God-Man • Water—Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan (Matthew 3:16-17). – The heavens open. – The Spirit descends. – The Father’s voice declares: “This is My beloved Son.” – All three Persons of the Trinity bear witness—an unmistakable stamp of deity. • Blood—Jesus’ crucifixion on Golgotha (John 19:34; 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 9:14). – The spear releases “blood and water,” confirming a real, physical death. – The torn veil, earthquake, and darkness testify that the One on the cross is more than a mere man. – His blood “cleanses us from all sin,” a work only God can accomplish. Why Naming Both Matters • Guards against the idea that Jesus merely “appeared” divine (1 John 4:2-3). • Confronts false teachers who accepted His baptism (water) but denied His atoning death (blood). • Shows the full arc of His mission: public inauguration (baptism) and redemptive completion (cross). Threefold Witness to Deity 1. Water—The Father’s audible affirmation. 2. Blood—The sacrificial act that fulfills divine justice. 3. Spirit—The ongoing inner testimony to hearts (Romans 8:16). “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15). John stacks all three to declare: Jesus is truly God. How 1 John 5:6 Affirms Jesus’ Divine Nature • His baptism reveals heavenly endorsement—only the divine Son receives that voice. • His blood secures eternal cleansing—something finite humanity cannot achieve. • The Spirit’s testimony links both events across time, uniting them in one continuous divine mission. • Water and blood mark a real incarnation and a real atonement, proving He is fully God and fully man. Living in the Light of These Truths • Rest in the certainty that the God who stepped into the Jordan is the same God who bled on Calvary. • Trust that salvation is complete; nothing remains to be added to the witness of water, blood, and Spirit. • Worship with confidence, knowing every aspect of Jesus’ earthly ministry shouts His eternal divinity. |
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