BIBLE QUESTION BOX

March 2003

#1 – 1 John 3:7-8: Explain the three that bear witness in verse 8. What does it mean “they bear witness”? Is the Spirit in verse 8 the same Spirit in verse 7?

1. Context: Faith that Jesus it the Son of God – 5:4-5.

2. A three-fold testimony is provided by God that Jesus is the Son of God – 5:6-9.

a. Cerinthians (followers of Cerinthus) believed Jesus was the Christ after His baptism, but denied He was the Christ in His crucifixion.

b. This text answers that heresy.

3. Corruption in the KJV & NKJV text. ASV offers the more accurate translation of 1 Jno. 5:6-9:

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.

7 And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth.

8 For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son.

-What does it mean “they bear witness”?

1. Divine testimony has been given that Jesus is the Son of God.

a. Water (5:6, ASV) – At his baptism: Matt. 3:13-17; Jno. 1:29-34.

b. Blood (5:6, ASV) – At his crucifixion: Mk. 15:39; Isa. 53:11-12; Matt. 20:28 (16:16, 21).

c. Spirit (5:7, ASV) – Inspired testimony via apostles – (Jno. 16:13) Acts 2:32-36; 1 Jno. 1:1-4.

-1 Jno. 5:7 is present tense & supports this conclusion rather than the H.S. at His baptism.

-Is the Spirit in verse 8 the same Spirit in verse 7?

1. Yes, this is the Holy Spirit.

2. 1 Jno. 5:8 - The inspired testimony of the apostles (“the Spirit”) agrees with the “water” (baptism of Jesus) & the “blood” (crucifixion of Jesus) that He is the Son of God.

3. 1 Jno. 5:9 – This is God’s witness that Jesus is the Son of God.

4. Those who denied that Jesus was Christ in His crucifixion were in error (false teachers, 1 Jno. 4:1, 6).

#2 – I’ve heard that the Book of Job was fictional, yet I’ve always thought it was factual.

a. What evidence supports it as factual?

1) The testimony of Scripture:

a. Ezek. 14:14, 16, 18, 20 – Job is named with Noah & Daniel as a real & righteous man.

b. Jas. 5:11 – Real person setting a real example of patience for real people! (Holy Spirit chose to use the example of Job.)

c. Quoted as Scripture – 1 Cor. 3:19 (Job 5:13).

2) Job was a real person, and the book of Job is really historical.

b. What do those who claim it is fiction use as evidence?

1) Supposed artificial numbers re. Job’s possessions:

a) 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 1,000 oxen & 500 female donkeys – Job 1:3 – Exactly doubled after his trial (Job 42:12). Rounded numbers approximate exact figures & are entirely appropriate concerning the “greatest of all the people of the East” (Job 1:3).

b) Recurrence of numbers 7 & 3 (7 sons, 3 daughters, 1:3; 42:13); 7,000 sheep & 3,000 camels; 3 friends & 7 nights. No reason to reject or question their validity.

2) Satan’s interview with the Lord.

a) All events in the invisible realm must be revealed to us (our only source of knowledge of such things is supernatural).

b) Could such really have taken place? Yes!

3) Style.

a) Poetic prose could not have been spontaneous, thus, must be of later origin & compilation.

b) Probably not extemporaneous. 7 days before the first speech; not unreasonable to think there was also periods of time between the other speeches (though not stated).

c) Or, perhaps we owe the poetic structure of this dialogue between Job & his friends to the inspired writer who penned it.

c. How did the Jews of OT times view this book?

-As inspired Scripture (“the writings”).

d. When did they start claiming it as fiction?

-Probably when most similar claims surfaced, during the 18^th & 19^th centuries when Rationalists rejected the verbal inspiration of the Bible.

#3 – Is it correct to say that since Paul was so strongly persecuting Christians (Acts 9:1-2) that Jesus chose him to help alleviate “fear” of being a Christian in Judea, Galilee & Samaria (Acts 9:31) – as well as to further the Gospel’s message?

1. No, but it is correct to conclude that this was the effect of Jesus choosing Saul to be an apostle – Acts 9:31.

a. Acts 9:31 is 3 years after Saul’s conversion – Gal. 1:15-21; Acts 9:18-30.

b. To conclude peace from persecution was the purpose of Saul being chosen is to assign a reason not given in the Scriptures.

2. Purpose: Chosen vessel (apostle) to the Gentiles & Israel – Acts 9:15 (22:15-16).

3. Result: Saul shown the many things he must suffer for the name of Christ – Acts 9:16.

4. Saul’s presence in Jerusalem stirred up conflict – Sent to Tarsus – Acts 9:28-30.

-So, if anything, the “peace” of Acts 9:31 is directly connected to Saul’s departure to Tarsus (9:30), not his selection as an apostle.