Testimony Concerning Jesus Series

Scripture

In the fifth chapter of the Apostle John’s First Letter, he concludes the first paragraph of that chapter with this statement, “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). But how can any person come to believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Commentator John Stott answers, “John’s answer here, as in the Gospel, is that faith depends on testimony, and that the reasonableness of believing in Jesus is grounded upon the validity of the testimony which is borne to him.” That is what John addresses in the second paragraph of 1 John 5.

Let’s read about the testimony concerning Jesus in 1 John 5:6-12:

6 This is he who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:6-12)

Introduction

In 1995, one of the most famous trials took place in America. Dubbed “The Trial of the Century” because of the international publicity, it was the trial of O. J. Simpson who was charged for the murder of his ex-wife and her friend. Millions of people watched the trial as it carried on for several months. Over 100 witnesses testified in the trial, some for prosecution and some for the defense. Each witness testified to what he or she knew or saw. But some of the pieces did not fit. Simpson was asked to put on the gloves that the prosecution alleged he had worn on the night of the murder. It seemed that the gloves were too small, and Attorney Johnny Cochrane famously said, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” After less than four hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict that was watched or listened to by 100 million people: Not guilty. A little over two years later, Simpson was found guilty in a civil lawsuit for the wrongful death of the two persons.

This case was controversial because there was no clear answer. In the criminal case, Simpson was declared to be not guilty. In the civil lawsuit, he was declared to be guilty. The difficulty in the case was due to the fact that one did not know which witnesses were to be believed.

If Jesus were to stand trial in today’s culture, how would he fare? Some witnesses would come forward and testify that Jesus is the Son of God. And, just as they did in Jesus’ day, other witnesses would come forward and testify that he is not the Son of God (see Matthew 12:23-24).

The Apostle John uses the word for “witness” or “testify” nine times in verses 6-12. In this paragraph, he wants witnesses to testify that Jesus is the Son of God.

Lesson

First John 5:6-12 shows us why you should believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. Because of the Testimony of Jesus’ Baptism (5:6-8)

2. Because of the Testimony of Jesus’ Crucifixion (5:6-8)

3. Because of the Testimony of the Holy Spirit (5:6-8)

4. Because of the Testimony of the Father (5:9, 10b)

5. Because of the Testimony of Your Heart (5:10a)

6. Because of the Testimony of Eternal Life (5:11-12)

I. Because of the Testimony of Jesus’ Baptism (5:6-8)

First, you should believe that Jesus is the Son of God because of the testimony of Jesus’ baptism.

Let me read what John says in verses 6-8, “This is he who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.”

I want to note two features before I address the point of this passage. First, if you have a King James Version of the Bible, you will notice that verses 7-8a reads as follows, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth….” These words are not found in any ancient manuscript before the fourteenth century. They were found in marginal notes in two earlier manuscripts, and were presumed to have been placed there by scribes. These words found their way into the KJV because Erasmus reluctantly included them in the third edition of his New Testament. However, although the statement is true, the fact is that it was a later insertion and was not originally written by John.