“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. 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 (KJV)
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is —of God; Who also hath made us —able ministers of the New Testament— ; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. “ - 2 Corinthians 3:5–6 (KJV):
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Life = Water, Blood and Spirit , is what our title is hinting at, including our texts for this week, and we hope that our words will shed some knowledge on these subjects, as they are worthy of study …. Hence the “ologies” in the title!
Our hematological efforts in the Bible thus far, ( check the last few posts ) have shown that the Bible is VERY CLEAR in the concept, value, ordained use, and mechanics of blood as an instrument — for the purpose of showing Gods Grace —— which gives access via atonement & redemption to blessings , freedom, and life to mankind. This is a work of God, not man, who can neither fashion an acceptable instrument, nor invent a means , to pay for disobeying the righteous commands of an all powerful God! No, God Himself made a way through His own blood!
What about water?
OK, what lets an expectant person know birth is imminent? Labor pains are the beginning, but something else… yes… “ her water broke” … Human beings are associated intimately with water. It makes up between 50-70% of our weight, In fact, the effect of the moon on tides and humans alike is well documented!
When you think of creation as an expression of His Nature, and imagine sea, waves, rivers, lakes, streams, and water flowing in and through and around it all… isn’t that a beautiful picture? In fact, the preciousness of water is analogous to the preciousness of blood in sustaining LIFE on this planet!
And just as there is an ordained use ( atonement ) for blood, there is an ordained use ( purification ) for water !
People have conjectured that the site of Solomons temple was probably near the Gihon spring in what is now the City of David in Jerusalem, just because of the copious quantities of water required for cleansing of all kinds, ritual or otherwise.
The rite of baptism harks back to this ritual cleansing, and was what Christ submitted Himself to undergo ( though He didn’t need it ) before embarking on His ministry. That was the baptism of repentance, preached by John the Baptist, paving the way for the Baptism of the Spirit …. that first alighted on Christ like a dove at His water baptism, and raised Him from the dead!
And that brings us to the wind ( air , breath, pneuma ).
Also essential for Life, don’t you think?
What kind of a picture does wind paint of Gods Nature? Jesus says, you can’t tell where it comes from, or where it is going ?! Yes you can say it’s coming —from —your— north, and going —to your south, but where is its ORIGIN and DESTINATION? You can’t be sure … ? Isn’t it interesting that Christ picked THAT analogy for the effect of God on a human!?
There seems to be no ordained use for air, but there IS!
Can you guess?……. It’s not windmillls, or horn blowing, or singing….
Fire!
Used for offerings, and incense, fire needs air and the lamps in the Tabernacle were to be lit, trimmed, and filled day and night. Incense was offered on a golden altar, while outside, animals were being slaughtered, their carcasses cleaned, and then burnt with fire.
Fire, blood, water all are in view here.
And so Christ came by blood and water — He was born of a woman, baptized and crucified.
He came to bear witness in the power of the Spirit, by which power, He empowers His ministers to preach the New Covenant sealed in His blood, and gives all that ask Him, the same baptism by which He Himself was baptized to bear witness in like fashion!
This is a work of God, as the apostle points out in our second text, because……
1. An evil creature cannot work its way up to God.
Jesus says, “ if you, —-being evil——- (!),know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Spirit to them that ask Him? “ ( Luke 11:13 ) Our hearts are desperately wicked, and we have an imagination that exalts ITSELF , ABOVE GOD, in that , we think and do as WE want, and not as HE would have us be!
The apostle Paul lamented that there was no good thing in him, only depravity and death…. and he was right —— any good, comes from what God has innately given us, or has further filled us for , —His— purposes and ministry through the Holy Spirit .
Christ is clear, the Spirit is GIVEN , not grasped.
2. An evil creature cannot even comprehend God, let alone engage in ministry, without divine assistance.
This is regeneration!
Being baptized in water, speaking ( with your breath ) a profession of faith, participating in the Lords Table, knowing all mysteries, a doctor of doctrine even —- will not ensure love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, patience and self control. It will not change your heart unless you are born again of the Spirit!
Once your spiritual eyes are opened, however, you will see the world with perfect clarity…. beauty and warts alike. Your heart and mind will long to spend more time in meditation on the Person that shows us so much of themselves in the world and in the Word, your actions will be driven by Love, and you will no longer need to consult a —-book or the Law on what is the right thing to do!
You have the peace of being loved, chosen, sustained, and assured of eternal life…. as you can do anything you like, but you CHOOSE to please your Father , glorifying Him daily with the work He is pleased to put your way!
Don’t worry about the state of your ministry or the church in general …. That’s HIS business , and He will work it out. All that is required of us, is that we be found faithfully serving Him, lamps lit, when our time comes , whether it is to exit the stage, or to welcome Him!
All scripture speaks with ONE VOICE from Genesis to Revelation, with the same images … of rivers watering the garden, or emanating from the throne of God, of a God who has not left Himself without witness, in the earth below, or in Heaven above !
Hallelujah!