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Book of 1 John - Chapter 5 - Verse 8

5:8
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Meaning

First John 5:8 mentions three things on earth that bear witness to the truth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood. The Spirit represents the Holy Spirit, which guides and empowers believers in their faith. The water symbolizes baptism, which is a public declaration of one's faith in Jesus Christ and a commitment to follow Him. The blood refers to the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, which provides forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. These three elements work together in harmony to testify to the truth of Jesus as the Son of God. They all point to the central message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and serve as a powerful confirmation of God's plan for humanity's redemption.

Theological Overview

In the theological interpretation of 1 John 5:8, scholars point to the concept of witness bearing, highlighting the importance of the Spirit, water, and blood as testifying to the truth of Jesus Christ. The Spirit represents the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers and guides them in their faith. The water symbolizes baptism, which signifies the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection. The blood refers to the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, which provides redemption and atonement for sin. Together, the three elements – Spirit, water, and blood – affirm the unity and agreement in the divine witness of Jesus as the Son of God. This verse emphasizes the crucial role of these witnesses in grounding the believer's faith in the truth of the gospel message, highlighting the importance of the triune witness in earthly matters.

American Standard Version

For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one.
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