Three That Beareth Record In Heaven

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. The Father Beareth Record in Heaven

2. The Word Beareth Record in Heaven

3. The Holy Ghost Beareth Record in Heaven

Remarks.

1. John the Apostle writes: “And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 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, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one,” 1 John 5:6-8. It is verse 8; that set forth this profound premise regarding the truth. This verse discusses the truth of the Spirit; regarding His uncovering of the “mystery of Christ,” to the world.

2. The Father beareth record in heaven regarding the truth. David said: “Forever O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven,” Psalms 119:89. The truth is settled, recorded and certified in heaven. It was the Plan of God to unfold the message of truth to the world regarding the “truth which is after godliness” before the world was founded. It was conceived by God; commission by God and committed unto the holy Apostles by the commandment of God,” Titus 1:1-3.

3. The Word beareth record in heaven regarding the truth. Jesus speaking to Pilot said: “My kingdom is not of this world...To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice,” John 18:36-37. Jesus speaking to his disciples said: “I am the way, the truth and the life,” John 14:6. John wrote: “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,” John 1:17.

4. The Holy Ghost beareth record to the truth. Jesus speaking to his apostles said: “Howbeit when He the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth...He will shew you things to come,” John 16:12-15. The entire truth was not yet made manifested; part revealed by the Father unto our fathers; another by the Word to His disciples and the world, and the final pieces to be revealed by the Holy Spirit unto “the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” The Spirit beareth witness of the truth, because the Spirit is to make know the truth in the “dispensation of the grace of God” unto the world. Let’s notice our first point.

BODY OF LESSON

I THE FATHER BEARETH RECORD IN HEAVEN

A. The promised seed of Abraham. Notice: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manner spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days,” Hebrews 1:1-2. What was his message? Unto Abraham, the father of all nations Jehovah spake regarding his “seed” which should come, which was Christ. And his work to bring all nations into one family: “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth: even in Him,” Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:14-15.

B. Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scriptures, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed. So then, they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham,” Galatians 3:7-9.

1. God made this promise to Abraham and then ratified it by a covenant, Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:18. Recall the lesson: “Passing Through the Pieces?” This lesson deals with the covenant promise and confirmation Jehovah made to Abraham.

2. Paul speaks of this covenant, and the “seed” which is Christ, Galatians 3:16. Notice: “Now unto Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ,” Galatians 3:16. The promise made unto Abraham was the seed that would come through Abraham’s descendants; and ultimately the children of God that would embrace “the gospel of Christ.” Christ was that promised “seed.”

C. Paul reveals the unfolding of truth, to his son Titus. Consider his message: “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’ elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness:”

1. Conceived by God: “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”

2. Commissioned by God: “But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching;”

3. Committed by God: “Which is committed unto me (an apostle) according to the commandment of God our Savior,” Titus 1:1-3.

4. This promise to Abraham was the unfolding of “the faith of God’s elect, and the truth which is after godliness.” Paul’s gospel to the Romans was “for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name,” Romans 1:5. This faith was preached and “made known to all nations for the obedience of faith,” Romans 16:25-27.