“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.” (1 John 5:6-8 ESV)
There is a common sentiment in evangelical circles that goes something like this: “I don’t need theology; I just need Jesus.” The question then follows, “Who is Jesus?”—but as soon as you begin to answer that question, you are necessarily engaging with theology. The problem with trying to separate the person of Jesus from theology or doctrine is that you end up stripping your conception of Jesus of any substance. To profess and proclaim a version of Jesus devoid of doctrinal distinctives is to profess and proclaim a Jesus who cannot save.
One of John’s main reasons for writing his first epistle was to combat false claims about Jesus. Specifically, he is combating the error of the docetists, who said that Jesus was not truly human but merely appeared to be human. By denying his true nature, they rejected the representative nature of his atonement for the human race. If John had subscribed to the idea that one could have Jesus without theology, there would be no letter of 1 John.
John’s epistle clearly defends the humanity of Christ. He says, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God” (4:3-2). He adds in chapter 5, “This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ” (v. 6).
This phrase has caused theologians no small degree of difficulty. What exactly John is referring to is unclear. Many commentators suggest that John is referencing the Old Testament sacrificial rites, which involved cleansing with water and shedding the blood of animals for atonement. Some argue that it is a reference to the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Others say it may refer to Jesus’ baptism and his crucifixion. Still others say it is the water and blood that flowed out of his side after the crucifixion. While arguments could be for each of these interpretations, the last of these options seems to fit well with John’s emphasis in this epistle and his gospel.
In defending against the docetic error, John points to the death of Christ as verification of his true human nature. The water and blood that were expelled from his dead body upon being speared are evidence that he was not merely a spiritual being who appeared human. Likewise, the scar that remained after the resurrection also affirms the reality of his human body.
One study Bible notes,
In John’s Gospel, the testimony God bears to Jesus His Son is a key theme. The blood and water that flowed from Jesus after His death attested to the reality of His death; the wound in Jesus’ side later confirmed the reality of His bodily resurrection (John 20:20, 25–27). Both the death and the resurrection were denied by the docetists, who denied the humanity of Christ (4:2).
John continues, “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” (1 John 5:6b-8).
Along with the testimony of the water and the blood, the Holy Spirit testifies to the true nature of Christ. Repeating the principles he affirmed at the beginning of chapter 4, John points to the direct testimony of the Spirit of God as a witness to the identity of Christ. While others teach false doctrine about the person and work of Christ, God himself bears witness to the truth.
As God’s people “test the spirits” (4:1), the Spirit will confirm the witness of Scripture regarding the nature of the One in whom we believe. While false teachers may lead many astray, the Lord, through the ministry of the Spirit as our Helper, will preserve all who are united to Christ. Those who are in Christ have been anointed by the Spirit and have been given knowledge of the truth.
Taken together, these three verses offer a strong foundation regarding the Jesus we profess. John identifies the non-negotiable substance of biblical Christology. If we claim that we can have Jesus without grounding our Christology in Scripture, we open ourselves up to all kinds of errors that can not only lead to the edges of orthodoxy but send us over the cliff into heresy.
Proclaiming the true gospel of Christ is of supreme importance for Christ’s people. But in our proclamation, we must be sure that we accurately declare the person and work of Jesus as described in Scripture and as attested to by the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending your Son to take on human nature for our sake. Through his incarnation, obedient life, substitutionary death, and triumphant resurrection, we have peace with you through faith. May we diligently hold fast to the true Jesus offered to us in your Word.
For Jesus’ sake, amen.
Prayer Requests:
- Tuesday: Pray for the safety and effective ministry of missionaries serving in international security and crisis management as they provide critical care and support around the world.
- Wednesday: Pray for missionaries working to open New Zealand as a new ministry field for ABWE.
- Thursday: Pray for missionaries in Moldova as they minister to the physical and spiritual needs of Ukrainian refugees.
- Friday: Pray for missionaries in Toronto who are reaching Tibetans and Punjabi Sikhs with the gospel.
- Saturday: Pray for students and staff at the Chiang Rai International Christian School to excel in all they do for the glory of God.
- Sunday: Pray for missionaries in Bangladesh to be encouraged and strengthened as they serve through healthcare and theological training.
- Monday: Pray for missionaries serving in sports ministry and community outreach.
Featured Opportunity to Serve:
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Location: Togo
Are you an obstetrician-gynecologist with a passion to use medicine as an avenue for evangelism and discipleship? Our hospital in southern Togo, Africa, is looking for an OB-GYN to provide Christ-centered care to women, deliver babies, supervise nurses in prenatal care, and consult for gynecology cases.
