Daily Devotional | Three Witnesses

In a court case, both sides may call on expert witnesses to explain a complex situation. If the witnesses disagree, the lawyers focus on their credibility. Who has more relevant experience? Who demonstrates the most valid understanding? In other words, who is more trustworthy?

John wrote in today’s passage that three witnesses testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world (vv. 7–8). The first is the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead. The Spirit is at work both within us and out in the world. He testifies to the fact that Jesus came by the water and the blood (v. 6). The verb “testify” means that He calls all to affirm the truth in a spirit of praise and worship. Human testimony, such as that of John and the other apostles, has value but God’s own testimony is more valuable, reliable, and certain (v. 9).

The second witness is the water of baptism. When Jesus was baptized, the entire Trinity was present. The Father spoke His approval from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove (John 1:32–34). The third witness is the blood of Christ, which enables spiritual rebirth. His public ministry began at His baptism and ended with His death on the Cross.

Believers accept these three witnesses or testimonies (v. 10). Our faith is not subjective or based on mere feelings. It is reasonable, based on actual events in history. In fact, not to believe the evidence is to call God a liar.

God has given us salvation through His Son (vv. 11–12). To believe this truth is to accept His gift of eternal life. Not to believe is to opt for death. Every person must choose!

>> If you have never accepted salvation by faith in Christ, there’s no reason to delay! Go to moodybible. org/knowing-christ to learn more. If you’re already a believer, give thanks today for this “indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9:14–15).

Pray with Us

Thanks be to You for Your indescribable gift of salvation! We believe and joyfully confess that Jesus is the Son of God. May we be bold to proclaim this truth to others who have not heard the gospel!

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He is the author of On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.