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“There are three witnesses on earth: the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood.”

The Bible is an excellent source of divine wisdom, containing many verses worth contemplating. In First John chapter 5, verse 8, believers are encouraged to examine the relationship between the Spirit, water, and blood. Through this verse, one can gain a deeper insight into spiritual truths about the testimony of Jesus Christ. We can understand the cryptic statement by exploring related scriptures.
Let’s examine First John, chapter 5, verse 8, and analyze its meaning.
Before fully appreciating the meaning behind First John chapter 5, verse 8, let’s read the verse: “There are three witnesses on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood.”
The Spirit:
The Spirit is a central theme in the verse, symbolizing divine presence, guidance, and empowerment. In John, chapter 7, verses 38 to 39, Jesus said, Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” He meant that those who believed in him would later receive the Spirit, which had yet to be given because Jesus had yet to be glorified. Jesus speaks of the Spirit as living water and says that rivers of living water will flow from within to those who believe in him. The ideas of water and the Spirit are interwoven through metaphorical language, offering a framework for understanding their combined witness.
The Water:
Water carries multiple layers of meaning in biblical symbolism. In Ephesians chapter 5, verse 26, cleansing her with water through the word to make her holy, the Apostle Paul uses washing water with the word to symbolize God’s truth, purifying believers. Matthew, chapter 3, verse 11, teaches that water baptism is a physical demonstration of spiritual purification and rebirth. The connection between water and purification in First John, chapter 5, verse 8, strengthens the unity of the Holy Spirit and water.
The Blood:
The third element in First John chapter 5, verse 8, is the blood, symbolizing sacrifice, redemption, and atonement throughout the Bible. In Hebrews, chapter 9, verse 22 says that the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Atonement, forgiveness of sins, and the shedding of blood are intertwined through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, connecting them with the Spirit and the water.
Harmony and Agreement:
The last part of First John, chapter 5, verse 8, asserts that “these three agree.” This agreement emphasizes the unity of the Spirit, water, and blood in bearing witness to spiritual truths. As we delve deeper into the scriptures, the unity becomes more evident, revealing a divine symphony that God orchestrated to convey the profound realities of salvation.
John chapter 6, verse 63 says The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit and life.
The Spirit came on the day of Pentecost; the water is the word of God; the physical water is used for baptism; and the blood is the one that Jesus shed on the cross for the remission of our sins.
These three agree as a testament to the reality of divine authority over the earth, something no other religion or cult can claim regarding the testimony of Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls.

Let’s examine more scriptures to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between water and blood in biblical symbolism.
Water as a Symbol of Life and Cleansing: John, chapter 19, verse 34
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

Blood as a Symbol of Atonement and Redemption: first John, chapter 1, verse 7

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Water for Baptism: Romans chapter 6 verse 4: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Blood and Forgiveness: Colossians chapter 1 verse 14: “In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Water and the Spirit are needed for salvation.
In John chapter 3, verses 3 to 8, Jesus replied, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the Spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
First, John chapter 5, verse 8, encapsulates profound spiritual truths within its concise statement, inviting believers to explore the intricate connections between the Spirit, the water, and the blood. The unity and agreement among these elements emerge, revealing a divine tapestry that testifies to the transformative power of God’s grace, the cleansing nature of His truth, and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In contemplating these profound realities, believers are drawn into a deeper communion with God and a fuller understanding of their identity in Christ.

The Spirit is the holy Spirit that indwells believers who came on the day of Pentecost, and he is still here and is necessary for salvation.

In Conclusion
These three spiritual instruments work together for humanity’s salvation and serve as a monument to God. The Spirit symbolizes purity and life in the believer and is a testament to God’s presence, endless grace, mercy, and love through Jesus Christ.
Water is a symbol of the word of God; according to John chapter 15, verse 3, you are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Water is also used in baptism and the forgiveness of sins. Blood is the symbol of the blood of the lamb that takes away the sin of the world.
The Spirit cleanses, the water cleanses, and the blood cleanses. These three remain on earth simultaneously and passionately testifying to God’s ordained supernational will to aid in cleansing believers and prepare them for God’s eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ.
First, John, chapter 5, verse 6. This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies because the Spirit is the truth. For three testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three agree. We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is more incredible because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 4 to 6, says, There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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