1 John 5_6_13 the cerainty of Salvation_ Study Notes

Repeated 2x …. Vs. 6, 8, Witness (verb) (3140) μαρτυρέω marturĕō, mar-too-reh….. Testify/give testimony…… In verse 6 it is the Holy Spirit that gives testimony that Jesus is the Son of God (continued from verse 5); In verse 8 it is the Holy Spirit, the water (baptism), and blood (crucifixion) that gives testimony in earth that Jesus is the Son of God.

Repeated 3x… Vs. 7, 10, 11Record (verb) vs 7. (3140) μαρτυρέω marturĕō, mar-too-reh… Testify/give testimony Same word for verse 6…. In KJV the record is given in heaven of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit… However this is not included in the earliest or the majority of the manuscripts… this comes from Latin Vulgate and does not change the meaning at all. Vs. 10, 11 (Noun) (3141) μαρτυρία marturia, mar-too-ree´-ah… Judicial Evidence given. (Verse 10)The one who does not believe God makes Him a liar because they do not believe God’s evidence (report) that He gave of His Son. (Verse 11 The evidence which God has given is eternal life that He gives through His Son.

Repeated 4x… Vs. 9,10 Witness (noun) (3141)μαρτυρία marturia, mar-too-ree´-ah; evidence given (judicially or gen) record, report, testimony, (Vs. 9) Since mankind is so ready to receive the witness of man, the witness of God is much greater, the witness of God is this testified of His Son… “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” (Vs. 10) The man who believes in the Son of God has God’s testimony dwelling inside of him, The Holy Spirit.

Repeated 1x…. Vs. 9Testified (verb) (3140) μαρτυρέω marturĕō, mar-too-reh´-o; The evidence given.

Repeated 8x… Vs. 9,10,11,12,13 Son (noun)(5207) υἱός huiŏs, hwee-os´; Son

Repeated 3x… Vs. 10Believeth (verb)(4100) πιστεύω pistĕuō, pist-yoo´-o; to have faith

Repeated 2x… Vs. 13Believe (Verb) (4100) πιστεύω pistĕuō, pist-yoo´-o; to have faith

Repeated 4x… Vs. 6,8Water (5204) ὕδωρ hudōr, hoo´-dore;

Repeated 3X… Vs.6,8Blood (129) αἷμα haima, hah´ee-mah bloodshed the atoning blood of Christ

Repeated 5x…. Vs. 11,12,13Life (noun)(2222) ζωή zōē, dzo-ay´ Eternal life, Life as God has it

Repeated 8x… Vs. 9,10,11,12,13 God (noun)(2316) θεός thĕŏs, theh´-os the supreme Divinity

Repeated 3x… Vs. 6,8Spirit (noun)(4151) πνεῦμα pnĕuma, pnyoo´-mah; Air, breeze, The Holy Spirit.

Comparison Vs. 6 The Spirit is truth

Contrast Vs. 9 The testimony of man & the testimony of God… God’s is greater

Important Word Vs. 9 greater (adj)(3173) μέγας mĕgas, meg´-as Mighty, exceedingly great

Important Word Vs. 13Know (that ye may know) (ἱνα εἰδητε [hina eidēte]) to know with settled intuitive knowledge. The Enlish word “Know” is used 49 times in 1 John, The Greek here is used 15 times in 1 John and 8 times in Chapter 5

Action Role of God Vs. 11God has given us eternal life

Parallel Passages

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

Cross Reference

“And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form.

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Important Passages

“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,

A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.

as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

Exegesis

This text (1 John 5:6-13) is an important text found in this small epistle, in fact verse 13 may very well be the focal passage of the entire letter: These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. This text is attached to the preceding verses by explaining its subject is the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. The text gives an allusion to a judicial court with its uses of Testimony 9 (nine) times. The word testimony is a judicial term which comes from of the Greek Word Martyr, its first use in verse six is marturĕō, which is a verb used to tell of the Holy Spirit’s testimony of Jesus Christ. John’s use of “The Spirit” speaks of the third person of God and He is referred to as the truth.

John uses the word truth in regards to the Holy Spirit twice in his Gospel, the first use is in John 15:26, But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. John’s next use is in John 16:13-15, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. In Matthew’s Gospel (Matt 3:16-17) the Holy Spirit is seen descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove and God speaks through lighting crashes, “this is beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” It is important to emphasis that at this the Trinity of God is seen on earth, God the Father speaking from heaven, God the Son rising from the water, and God the Holy Spirit descending as a dove. Perhaps this is why the KJV adds to 1 John 5:7, there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three agree, though not found in most manuscripts but certainly comes from the Latin Vulgate. It is important to note John 1:33-34, “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit. “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

The context of this book must be kept at the forefront of mind as one interprets this text, it must be remembered that John is rebuking and correcting an early form of Gnosticism. There were those in Ephesus and the surrounding area who taught mystical knowledge and in this knowledge Jesus could not be born of flesh as the Christ nor since he was the Christ could he die, therefore they came to the consensus that “Christ came upon Him at His baptism when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him but left Him before His death on the Cross (And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matt. 27:46). John strongly refutes this in the opening verses of the letter, (What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life. 1 John 1:1) Thus John writes, Jesus is the one who came by water and blood (v6) The baptism of Jesus bears witness to the fact that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God as well as the Crucifixion bears the same witness. That Jesus came by water and blood.

The word came is an important word, it speaks the truth of the incarnation of Jesus the preexistent Son of God sent from heaven to do God’s will. However, once again we must understand the context and in this the context of Jewish thought and ancient custom. [Remember Testimony/Witness/Record is used 9 times in this pericope] In the ancient world Witnesses were an essential part of the judicial system. The Law taught of the necessity of two or three witnesses in order to convict a person of a crime. On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. Deut. 17:7, A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. Deut. 19:15. The New Testament teaches that more than one witness must testify before church discipline is to be made, “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. Matt. 18:16. Here John goes to great length to show the truth of Jesus as Son of God, the witnesses are great, THERE ARE THREE THAT TESTIFY AND THESE THREE WITNESSES ARE IN AGREEMENT!. (1) the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of Truth), (2) the Baptism, (3) the Crucifixion. Let’s look at them one by one

The Holy Spirit: As mentioned above, this is the third person of the God head; The Holy Spirit is not a thing but a being, as much as God and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who bears witness of Jesus and glorifies Him (John 16:14). In verse 10 of this text John says the testimony is in the believer, what does this mean? It is an internal testimony, at the time of regeneration the Holy Spirit comes and makes His abode in the believer’s heart, the One who testifies of Jesus and who glorifies Jesus lives in your heart bearing witness to you personally! The Apostle Paul makes this clear when he wrote to Rome, For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God (Rm 8:15-16).

It is a fact that the Holy Spirit was at work in the World as Jesus lived and was at the crucifixion, The Holy Spirit is the only being that is alive on earth which was witness to the events of Jesus’ earthly ministry, this witness lives in your heart and bears witness to you of the truthfulness that Jesus is the Son of God. In fact it is not only true to say that the Holy Spirit bears witness but also He is the One who seals you unto Eternal life (zoe).

The Baptism: At the Baptism of Jesus man saw testimony that Jesus is the Christ, anointed one of God. From above, John the Baptist was told by “the One who sent Him” that he would know the Christ when he sees the Holy Spirit descend upon Him. This baptism must be understood for its purpose, it was not a baptism of repentance as John proclaims, “it is I who needs baptism from you,” (Matt. 3:14) but Jesus’ baptism was to fulfill all righteousness. It was there at the Jordan river where Jesus is anointed by God the Father for His earthly ministry. There are some peculiar miraculous instances which takes place at the Jordan, (1) The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus for John and others to see, (2) God the Father speaks, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” It is miraculous to hear from God the Father; but to see Him speak directly to the Son which was understood by Jesus yet Scripture implies that to the others all they heard was the lighting crashing.

The Crucifixion: The bloodshed on Calvary’s Cross bears witness that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ which imparts Zoe Life to any who will believe. There at the Cross Jesus’ earthly ministry reaches its culmination as Jesus declares, “it is finished.” (John 19:28-30) Bloodshed for the atonement of sin is no new idea, it was God’s covering for sin since it came into the world. However at the cross Jesus’ work is completed and the atoning blood which needs never to be shed again has been given.

The early Gnostics who had a wrongly placed high Christology would argue that “Christ” had to have departed from Jesus before He died, but one must understand the purpose for Jesus coming in flesh. He came in flesh because only God is good enough to die for the sins of the world and only a man could die for the sins of the world. The incarnate Jesus was both, fully God and fully man. It was their failure to see that the Romans nor the Cross took Jesus’ life but that He gave it. At the proper time when the judgment of the world had been satisfied in Jesus he gave up His Spirit.

The blood of Jesus bore witness because this is the atoning blood which removes the sin of the world for those who believe. Perhaps it is also important to remember that just as miraculous signs from heaven took place at the baptism, they so did at the Crucifixion. At noon darkness fell across the whole land until about 3 o’clock, when Jesus cried out to God, “My My God, why have you forsaken Me.” (Matt. 27:46) According to Matthew’s Gospel, at the very Moment Jesus gave up His Spirit the earth quaked the veal of the Temple split into, now there was no separation from the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, because Jesus is the bridge between the two. Suddenly, godly men of old who had long been dead rose from the tomb, and appeared to many in the city. No wonder the Centurion became afraid and proclaimed, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matt. 27:54)

John who holds no punches with his words, after speaking of these witnesses, and the witness of God that Jesus is the Son who imparts eternal life to those who believe makes an interesting observation, one that should strike us to the quick of our hearts. In verse nine (9), John said “we receive the testimony of man” but why do we not receive the testimony of God and not to do so makes Him out to be a liar! Man often says, “if I can only have faith,” but mankind lives by faith every day. We receive the testimony of a doctor when he gives you a diagnosis and trusts his word is accurate following his instruction. We trust the pharmacist to give us the correct medicine in its proper doses. We trust the cook and the waitress at the restaurant to serve us properly cooked food without poison, we trust the person driving the car in the opposite lane not to cross over into our lane striking us head on. We receive the testimony of men as those in Ephesus received the testimony of the early Gnostics but when it comes to God’s testimony about Himself we refute it and look for reasons not to believe and trust Him.

Man’ testimony often leads to damnation but God’s always to Eternal life. Life is used five (5) times in verses 11-13, the word is zoe which literally means to have life as God has it. This is the greatest need that mankind has yet it is often spurned. God the Father and God the Holy Spirit bear witness to Jesus being the Son. Jesus bears witness in His many “I am” statements. The Baptism and the Cross bear truthful witness yet there is still another, the Word of God.

As mentioned earlier, verse 13 in this text may be the most important verse in this letter; its purpose is served in telling the believer that he can know without a shadow of doubt that He has eternal life. But note a certain word that John uses, it is the word “written.” I have written to you who believe, so that you may know that you have eternal life. Assurance of salvation comes from the Word of God. The Scriptures are given so mankind may know his redeemer! The Bible is often referred to as “the unfolding story of redemption.” Through these words you may know of God’s faithfulness, He is the promising keeping God! Because of His word I have come to know his revealed nature and character and trust that He will do as He says He will do!

Application

Since the testimony of God, the witnesses, and the Word is so overwhelmingly great today I can stand here knowing with certainty not only will I be delivered from God’s eternal judgment but that I will be delivered into God’s everlasting life. I can know with great certainty that I am as much delivered today as I will be at the end of my life. With this great truth I can live a delivered life, what about you?

1 John 5:6-13 “The Certainty of Salvation”

Intro: After John Wesley had been preaching for some time, someone said to him, “Are you sure, Mr. Wesley, of your salvation?” “Well,” he answered, “Jesus Christ died for the whole world.” “Yes, we all believe that; but are you sure that you are saved?” Wesley replied that he was sure that provision had been made for his salvation. “But are you sure, Wesley, that you are saved?” It went like an arrow to his heart, and he had no rest or power until that questions was settled. Is that question settled in your heart?

If I asked you today, “do you know beyond a shadow of doubt that you have eternal life,” what would be your answer? I have asked this question many times and the most popular answer that I get is “no one can know until they stand before God. What misplaced theology and the one who lives life like this hs no rest or confidence in God’s promises and will never be able to face the difficulty which life throws as us.

Orientate to Context (Deut. 17:7, 19:15, Matt. 18:16)

CPS: Today I want you believers to have assurance of Salvation, to know beyond a shadow of doubt that you have eternal life by grace through faith so you may live a life full of peace, rest, and confidence in the promises of God.

Certainty of Salvation is expressed in the external witness of God.

The Baptism

The Crucifixion

Certainty of Salvation is expressed in the internal witness of God.

The Holy Spirit dwelling in the heart of the believer

Spirit of truth (John 15:26, 16:13-15)

The testimony of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:15-16)

The testimony of God is greater

Faith (Romans 12:3)

Certainty of Salvation is expressed in the eternal Word of God

The written Word

Application: Since the testimony of God, the witnesses, and the Word is so overwhelmingly great today I can stand here knowing with certainty not only will I be delivered from God’s eternal judgment but that I will be delivered into God’s everlasting life. I can know with great certainty that I am as much delivered today as I will be at the end of my life. With this great truth I can live a delivered life, full of rest, peace power, and confidence regardless of what the world throws at me, what about you?

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