Correspondence.

By:
1 John 5:6; TI 3:5
W.T.— Please explain, “This is he that came by water and blood” (1 John 5:66This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. (1 John 5:6)). It is helpful to observe that verse 6 to 11 deal with the record (witness) that “God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” This witness is rendered by three—the Spirit, the water, and the blood (verses 7,8. Note that the words in these verses from “in heaven “to “in earth,” both inclusive, should be omitted, as in the Revised Version). These three unite to bear testimony that we have eternal life in the Son. The phrase— “water and blood”— refers plainly enough to the fact recorded in the Gospel by the writer of this Epistle (John 19:3434But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:34)). That fact was that when the soldier pierced the side of Jesus, there came forth blood and water—not only the “blood to save” as the hymn says, but also the water to cleanse. The evangelist who was an eyewitness speaks of himself as bearing witness (John 19:3535And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. (John 19:35)); but in the Epistle he speaks of the Spirit, as the witness-bearer. The blood shed therefore became the great witness that propitiation for sin was accomplished on the cross; while the water spoke with equal clearness of purification from sins made at the same time. Blood satisfied the demands of God’s justice; while the water purified the sinner. Hence in the Gospel, looking at the work of Christ from a Godward aspect, the order is “blood and water,” God’s claims preceding; in the Epistle this order is reversed, for there man’s need is first contemplated (1 Cor. 6: 11). Even then it is added, “Not by water only, but by water and blood;” not only man’s requirements, but God’s glory as well. Speaking broadly, therefore, Jesus Christ came to cleanse the sinner and to expiate his sin, both of which objects were accomplished at His death.
W.T.— What is the meaning of the last clause of Titus 3:5,5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5) “By the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost?” “Regeneration” in scripture does not exactly mean the “new birth,” though doubtless it comprehends it. It occurs in one other passage only (Matt. 19:2828And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28)), and there refers to the time when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of His glory and the twelve apostles with Him. This is the millennium, or the new state of things that God will introduce in the earth (Isa. 65:1717For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17)). There is a new order of things now, — a new creation (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)); and this new condition appears to be what is here (Tit: 3:5) called the “regeneration.” The entrance to this new state is attended by moral cleansing or “washing” (see answer to former query). Sin’s defilement is removed through the death of Christ by means of the agency of the word. Baptism is the sign of this fact (Acts 22:1616And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)), the rite being useless apart from a divine work in the soul. Figuratively, it is the passage through death to a new footing before God. While “regeneration” signifies the new place into which we are brought, the “renewing of the Holy Ghost” points to the operation of the Spirit in suiting us to the place. “Behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)). We also are born anew, and made new men in Christ Jesus (John 3:77Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7); Rom. 6:44Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4); Col. 3:1010And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10)).