The Testimony of God

Summary of my sermon, based on 1 John 5:6-12. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on April 30, 2023.

When I was younger, legal thrillers like “Law and Order” and “Boston Legal” were my favourite. These shows showcased the intricacies of the justice system, from crime-solving to courtroom drama. However, courts serve a broader purpose beyond criminal cases. Disputes, including tort cases involving injury or death, also find their way into the legal system. In these cases, expert witnesses play a crucial role in presenting testimonies to support or challenge claims. Similarly, the Apostle John calls us to examine and defend the testimonies that testify to the hope and assurance found in Jesus Christ.

Believe the Testimony

John’s letter in 1 John 5:6 introduces three witnesses that testify about Jesus Christ. The first two witnesses are the water and the blood, symbolizing Jesus’ baptism and sacrificial death. These events signify His earthly ministry and affirm His identity as the incarnate Son of God. John, an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, confirms the truth of Jesus’ incarnation. In addition, the Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus. At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit descended like a dove, affirming His divine mission (Matthew 3:16-17). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit inspired the authors of Scripture, providing us access to the truth of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The testimony of the Spirit reinforces the truth of Jesus’ identity and mission.

Defend the Testimony

John emphasizes the importance of defending the testimonies presented in 1 John 5:7-9. He references the standard set in Deuteronomy 19:15, where two or three witnesses are required to establish a charge. By presenting three witnesses, John adheres to this standard. He contrasts the testimony of men with the testimony of God, highlighting the superiority of God’s testimony. As believers, we must be prepared to defend our faith when questioned. This defense extends to external challenges and internal doubts. Equipping ourselves to defend our faith enables us to stand firm in the face of opposition and maintain our trust in God (1 Peter 3:15).

Critics often challenge the reliability of Scripture by pointing out numerous mistakes or textual variants. They claim that the Bible contains hundreds of thousands of discrepancies. However, this claim misrepresents the reality of textual variants. While there are over 300,000 textual variants in the manuscripts of the New Testament, it is important to understand their significance. These variants emerged due to the manual process of copying the Bible by hand, which naturally led to human errors. Nonetheless, the abundance of textual variants is also a testament to the wealth of manuscript copies available. We possess approximately 5,800 complete or partial manuscripts of the Greek New Testament, far exceeding other ancient texts.

Furthermore, the time gap between the original writings and the earliest manuscripts is relatively short compared to other ancient texts. Some New Testament copies were made within a century of the original writing. Although we do not have the original manuscripts, the abundance of copies and the early dates of these copies increase our confidence in the accuracy of the New Testament text (Romans 15:4).

Verdict from the Testimony

In 1 John 5:10-12, John highlights the significance of believing in the Son of God. Those who believe have the testimony of God within them, affirming their status as children of God (Romans 8:16-17). The testimony is that God has granted eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18). Conversely, those who do not believe make God a liar by rejecting His testimony. Believing in Jesus leads to eternal life, while disbelief results in condemnation.

As believers, we are called to believe and defend the testimonies that testify to the truth of Jesus Christ. We can trust in the testimony of the water, blood, and the Holy Spirit, which affirm Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. Furthermore, we must be prepared to defend our faith when questioned or challenged. Addressing doubts and external attacks with knowledge and wisdom strengthens our faith and allows us to stand firm in the truth (Ephesians 6:11-13). Let us hold fast to the testimonies of faith, embracing the hope and assurance found in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.