Short sermons of the United Pentecostal Church of Mannheim Short Sermons Index

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The Blood, the Water and the Spirit

By Pastor Raymond Wey

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.

Many people who believe the doctrine of the Trinity (three persons are one) say that these scriptures prove the Trinity of God. They state that there are three persons who are one. Yes, there are three but there no mention is made of three persons. Rather, they are three different means used to testify of the work of God!

There is and there always was only ONE GOD, who cannot be divided (Deuteronomy 5,7 and 6,4). Everything else is polytheism - the belief in more gods. The true Christian faith is the belief in ONE God. John is not writing here to unbelievers but to those that knew this to be true, the believers. John writes that the blood, the water, and the spirit bear record. These three witnesses agree because they testify of the work of God, of Jesus Christ. Where do we find these three witnesses in the Bible?

Let us look: The Scriptures say that the life is in the blood (Deut. 12,23), Also the blood had to be shed on the altar for the reconciling of the soul with God (Leviticus 17,11). The first blood which was shed was in the garden of Eden when God slaughtered a lamb and clothed Adam and Eve with its skin. Blood flowed beginning with Abel up until the time of Noah, who was righteous. If people wanted forgiveness for their sins and eternal life then they had to sacrifice upon an altar and trust God that He would save them. Even Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had to believe and sacrifice if they wanted salvation. The blood of those lambs could not make a person righteous but rather pointed to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God (Hebrews 10,1-4).

When Israel departed from Egypt the blood of the lamb was on the doorposts of their houses. However, another witness was then added, the water. They went through the sea and were delivered from slavery. It was now blood and water which God, who is spirit, used to be as a witness. From the Tabernacle until the temple of Solomon and even 1400 years later up until the time that Jesus came, the blood of lambs was shed upon the altar by the priests. Afterwards, they had to wash their hands and their feet before they could minister in the temple. The blood and the water testified that there is no other way to receive forgiveness and to come into the presence of God. Both testify of the work of God. God determined that even in the future the only way would be the water and the blood. In the New Testament God did a new thing, salvation was not only for the Jews but for everyone. But even this does not take place without water and blood. If a person comes to God by sincerely repenting and turning away from his/her sins, the will of the flesh dies. It means death to the "I" and points to Jesus on the cross, who shed his blood and bore your sins on the cross. From his side water and blood flowed (John 19,34-35).

Water also bears witness in this case. Jesus and the apostles commanded all those who had become believers to be baptized in water in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. It signifies being buried with Jesus. The water of the baptism in Jesus' name is proof to the world of our faith and obedience to God.

The spirit of God also belongs in this category and still bears witness today. Once you have been filled with the Holy Ghost you have received eternal life with God (Romans 8,8). The spirit, the water, and the blood confirm the salvation of the believers!

Alone in the United Pentecostal churches world wide hundreds of people receive the Holy Ghost daily, just like the people in the first century! God's gospel has remained the same and is also for you. Make that step and save yourself from this world so long as there is still time. Whoever believes and obeys will be saved, whoever does not believe will receive their punishment!   rw

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