Sermon Central
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God's Evidence Of Truth Series
Contributed by Donald Carpenter on Jan 11, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: It is a well-documented truth in the Old Testament that a truth is established when two or three different witnesses present evidence. As John wraps up his treatise on the vital signs of the believer, he touches upon a foundational truth of the Gosp
God’s Evidence of The Truth
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.
Introduction:
It is a well-documented truth in the Old Testament that a truth is established when two or three different witnesses present evidence. As John wraps up his treatise on the vital signs of the believer, he touches upon a foundational truth of the Gospel. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. We learned last week that the over comer is the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is much more than a theological platitude, it is absolutely essential to the doctrine of Salvation by Grace through faith alone.
In our passage this evening, John offers evidence from God himself that proves that Jesus is the very Christ, the Son of God. We will see that some of this passage is so powerful a witness that the forces of darkness seek to discredit and omit the very Words of God. Open your Bibles, your minds, and your hearts as we examine together God’s evidence of the truth about His Son, Jesus Christ.
I. The Spirit bears witness that the Son came with water and blood.
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.
A. Because we are both inwardly and outwardly defiled.
1. Inwardly – the pollution of sin upon our inner man.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
2. Outwardly – the condemning power of sin upon our beings.
Separates us from God.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Reconciled by Jesus’ blood.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
B. The Old Testament points to these two elements in the process of sanctification.
1. Washing
Hebrews 9:10,13
10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
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:
2. Blood.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
C. Even at the cross these two elements were present.
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
II. The Trinity bears witness.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Note:
As we have pointed out in the past, modern translations, based upon the corrupted critical text, omit this verse and attempt to eradicate Biblical evidence of the Trinity. To the dismay of this pastor many supposed conservative Bible scholars show the contempt that they truly hold for the Words of God by the way that they handle this text. Commentators like Fallwell, Vine, and Godbe are among those who claim that this verse in the King James has been inserted by an overzealous scribe centuries after the Bible had been completed., and was therefore to be ignored! This is treacherous and blasphemous teaching! God has preserved every word of His Holy Book! Now, it is proper that the names of Christ honoring scholars be mentioned as well. Some who rightly hold to the existence of this verse are Matthew Henry, and Charles Wesley.
