What Are The Three Witnesses In I John 5:6-8?

What Are The Three Witnesses In I John 5:6-8?

Hello John:
I have a question from 1st John 5:6-8. Can you explain v 6 and 8 please. Why is spirit in v 8 not capitalized? Does the water mean to be immersed?
-Treavor

Dear Treavor:
I take it you are reading this I John 5:6-8 from the King James Version. In that text we have a rare textual problem that we call an interpolation. The seventh verse is not part of the original text. "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" These words were written by someone desiring to strengthen the case for the equal godhood of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the face of those who denied that Jesus was divine (See John 1:1-2). The King James translators did not recognize it as an addition. Once discovered, all later translations omit this verse. Which they rightly should do.

That Jesus came by water and blood refers to the fact that he was baptized in water by John (Matt. 3:16). Blood in this verse almost certainly refers to his death on the cross when from his side there poured forth blood and water (John 19:34). Remember that when Jesus was baptized , the Holy Spirit descended upon him, as witness and proof of his being God's appointed messiah (Matt. 3:16). When he was put to death, the elements testified to his divinity by the sun turning to darkness and the earth quake.

Then John adds "And it is the Spirit who testifies" (5:6). John now uses the present tense, meaning, as he now wrote, the Holy Spirit was testifying in those words the truth about Jesus. Jesus promised the apostles that when the Holy Spirit came he would "Glorify me, i.e., Jesus" (John 16:14).

In vs. 8 he continues, "For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood.; and the three are in agreement." It is interesting and important that John speaks here in the present tense. There are three that now testify. Earlier he had written of three (past tense) who agreed. The change in tenses suggests that the meaning might be in some way different. Today, the Spirit, water and blood testify to Jesus's deity. Wherever Christ is received and honored, there is the water of baptism, the communion that memorializes his shed blood and the Holy Spirit who has provided us the sacred Word, who is the earnest given to every saved person (Eph. 1:13-14) and who indwells the faithful church (Eph. 2:22). These are witnesses to Jesus as Savior, Lord and King.

The King James translators were mistaken in rendering "spirit" in lower case type. All later translations capitalize it, indicating the Holy Spirit.

Sincerely,

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