The great blessing of eternal life is the gift of God. Witnesses that Jesus is the Son of God. The historical witness. The witness of men to Jesus Christ (v. 9). This is He that came by water and blood (v. 6). These things point to two historical facts in our Saviors life. The public ministry of the Lord was opened with His baptism (by water). And was closed by His crucifixion (by blood). The verse says “not by water only but by water and blood”. The importance of blood for salvation. Cain’s blood less religion. Hebrews 9:22; John 19:34; Luke 24:39. A spirit has not flesh and bones etc.
The Spiritual witness
“The witness of God is greater” (v. 9) “the witness of the Spirit”.
v. 8: “It is the Holy Spirit who bears witness, because the Holy Spirit is the Truth”. Paul wrote “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”. Romans 8
The believers assurance of eternal life based upon three things:
1. The work of Christ.
2. The word of God.
3. The witness of the Spirit.
There are other witnesses to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God the Savior of the world. See John 6.
1. John the Baptist – behold the hands of God
2. The works which Jesus did
3. The Father – the transfiguration
4. The scriptures – you search the scriptures etc.
The demons also bore witness that He was the Son of God.
v. 10: “He that believes on the Son of God has the witness within himself: The Spirit of truth. Ephesians 1:13. After you believed you were sealed, etc. He that does not believe on the Lord Jesus has made God a liar. Because he has not believed the record God has given of His Son. This is very strong language.
v. 11:
1. Divine gift – God has given
2. Lasting gift – Eternal life
3. Personal gift – To us
4. Certain gift – In His Son
v. 12: He who posses the Son has life “Eternal”. He who does not possess the Son of God does not have eternal life – the second death. Revelation 20:14
v. 13: This is the key verse to the Epistle. That you may know that you have eternal life.