1 John 5:6

By water; in his baptism, when he was by the testimony of the Father solemnly proclaimed as the Messiah.

And blood; in his bloody death on the cross, when he made expiation for the sins of the world, which was the great work of his earthly mission.

Not by water only, but by water and blood; thus testifying that his work of redemption includes atonement for sin as well as spiritual cleansing-that without the shedding of his blood there could be no remission of sins, any more than there could be communion with God and the enjoyment of his love without the inward sanctification of the Holy Ghost.

That beareth witness; not only to the Messiahship of Jesus, but also to the nature of his work as the Messiah. The apostle has in view the testimony of the Holy Ghost not only in his miraculous gifts, but also, and especially, in his inward witness in the hearts of believers. Compare verse 1 John 5:10; John 16:14.