The Spirit, the Water, and the Blood

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    William Branham often misquoted scripture. While this might not be generally problematic, it is when it is done to change the meaning of scripture.

    1 John 5:8

    1 John 5:6-9 in the KJV reads as follows:

    6 This 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.
    7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
    8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
    9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.[1]

    William Branham's misquote

    William Branham always referred to "water, blood, and spirit" in that order and not "the spirit, and the water, and the blood" as they are ordered in scripture. He did this even when he appeared to be reading from the Bible:

    First John 5:7 tells you about that, “There are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word (which is Christ,) and the Holy Ghost.” And these three agree in one; they’re not one, but they agree in one. And there are three that bear record… Or, “They are one,” I mean. I’m mistaken there. “And the three that bear record in earth, is the water, Blood, and Spirit, and they agree in one.” You can be sanctified without being justified. And you can be justified without being sanctified. You can be sanctified without receiving the Holy Ghost.[2]
    First John 5:7 said, “There are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word (which is the Son), and the Holy Ghost: these three are One. There are three that bear record in earth, the water, the blood, and the Spirit: and these three agree in one.”[3]

    There is not one time in all of his recorded sermons where he quotes the passage correctly. The question must be asked - why did he intentionally misquote scripture?

    Why did William Branham change the order of the words?

    When we interpret scripture, it is important to look at context. In the case of 1 John 5:8, William Brnaham took a verse from scripture out of context and also misquoted it, which allowed him to change its meaning.

    Here is 1 John 5:6-9, in the New American Standard Bible (NASB). The NASB is a formal equivalence or "word for word" translation from the original Greek.

    6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
    7 For there are three that testify:
    8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
    9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.[4]

    How William Branham wanted you to interpret it

    William Branham never once in all of his sermons uses the wording of 1 John 5:8: "the spirit, and the water, and the blood." He never orders it as the Bible does. For him, the proper order was "water, blood, spirit."

    As seen in the quotes below, William Branham taught that spiritual birth was in 3 parts:

    Natural Birth types the Spiritual
    Natural Spiritual
    Water (amniotic fluid) Justification (water baptism)
    Blood (baby is born) Sanctification (cleansing from sin)
    Life (baby breathes) Baptism of the Holy Spirit (born again)

    As a result, William Branham taught there are 3 different classes of Christians:

    1. Those who have accepted Christ and had been baptized in water (but have not experienced sanctification or baptism in the Holy Spirit).
    2. Those who have experienced sanctification but have not yet been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
    3. Those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit (these are the only people who are actually "born again")

    Where did William Branham get this from?

    Those familiar with the message will realize that William Branham borrowed or plagiarized almost all of his theology from other sources. This is no exception. The Methodist Holiness movement believed in entire sanctification as a second work of grace - a personal, definitive work of God’s sanctifying grace by which the war within oneself might cease and the heart be fully released from rebellion into wholehearted love for God and others.[5]

    The Pentecostal movement developed out of the Methodist Holiness movement and, therefore, early Pentecostals believed that Spirit-baptism was preceded by entire sanctification. However this changed early on into a two-stage process - eliminating entire sanctification as a prerequisite for Spirit-baptism. [6] However, those in the Pentecostal Holiness movement still held to the three stage experience.

    What the Bible actually teaches

    This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood.[7]

    Water and blood are both mentioned in 1 John 5:6. Some try to link the passage with the spear thrust and the issue of blood and water from the side of Jesus recorded in John 19:34–35. However, it would be forced to say that in this incident Jesus came by (that is, ‘through’) water and blood, when in fact they came out of him. Rather, water refers to the baptism of Jesus, at which he was declared the Son and commissioned and empowered for his work, and blood to his death, in which his work was finished.

    The apostle John, knowing that Jesus was the Christ before and during the baptism and during and after the cross, described him as ‘the one who came through water and blood’. Neither word in the Greek text has the definite article. John is stressing the unity of the earthly career of Jesus Christ. He who came (from heaven, that is) is the same as he who passed ‘through’ water and blood. For further emphasis he adds (using the definite article this time before each noun, and changing the preposition from dia, ‘through’, to en, ‘in’), ‘not with the water only’, since the heretics agreed that at least he was the Christ at his baptism, ‘but with the water and (with) the blood’. The statement is as precise as Greek grammar can make it. For full measure, in opposition to the heretics’ differentiation between Jesus and the Christ, John adds that the one who so came was Jesus Christ, one person who was simultaneously from his birth to his death and for evermore (this is the one, present tense) both the man Jesus and the Christ of God.[8]

    And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.[9]

    This is a reference to the Holy Spirit. The form of the Greek construction indicates that it is as characteristic of the Spirit that he testifies, as it is of Christ that he came (at the beginning of the verse). But how does the Spirit testify? John appears to be referring to the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, who opens our eyes to see the truth as it is in Jesus (1 Cor. 12:3). Certainly he has written twice already of how the Spirit has been ‘given to us’ as an indwelling possession (1 John 3:24 &4:13), and has twice ascribed our acknowledgment of Christ as the divine-human Lord to the ‘anointing’ or enlightenment of the Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27 & 1 John 4:1–6). We have then here, as in 1 John 4:13–14, two kinds of corroborative testimony, objective and subjective, historical and experimental, water and blood on the one hand and the Spirit on the other.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

    John personifies the spirit, the water and the blood as witnesses that, while referring to the earthly life of Jesus, continue to witness to God’s love and offer of redemption throughout all time. The witness of the Spirit was prominent in both Jesus’ baptism and his death. Jesus’ public ministry began when the Spirit descended on him at his water baptism (Matt 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–13; Luke 3:21–23; John 1:29–34).[10]

    The Spirit, the water, and the blood represent Christ’s continuing powers to bring to life, cleanse, and atone — this is clearly supported in John 6:63; John 13:10; 1 John 1:7; and 1 John 2:2. Zech. 12:10 “They shall look upon him whom they have pierced,” is quoted in John 19:37; and the rest of the Zechariah context speaks of the pouring out of a spirit of compassion, and the opening of a fountain to cleanse from sin (Zech 12:10 & 13:1).[11]

    Why does the KJV have extra words?

    It should be noted that the King James Version adds a section to this passage that does not appear in the original Greek manuscripts. This is clearly illustrated when comparing the KJV passage above with that of a modern translation such as the English Standard Version (ESV).

    For there are three that testify:  the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.[12]

    Note the difference between the two passages. The portion that is missing from all modern translations is referred to as the “Johannine Comma.”

    The words occur in no Greek manuscript before the fourteenth century (except one eleventh-century and one twelfth-century MS, in which they have been added in the margin by a much later hand); in no quotation by the early Greek fathers, who, if they had known the text, would surely have quoted it in their trinitarian debates; and in none of the ancient versions (translations), even the early editions of the Latin Vulgate.[13]

    If you are interested in learning about this issue, please read our article on 1 John 5:7. However, it is important to recognize that the original Greek manuscripts of 1 John do not contain the extra words that were added into the KJV.

    Quotes of William Branham

    Three works of grace

    For instance, like this, when—when we’re born in the Body of Christ, there’s three elements it takes to bring our Birth. And that’s the three elements that came out of the life of Christ when He died. There come from His body, water, Blood, Spirit. Is that right? [Congregation says, “Right.”—Ed.] Three elements, that’s the elements we go through when we’re born again: justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Spirit. Now, that can all be in one act. But it takes… But you can be in a justified state without being sanctified. You can believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and still carry your filth with you. But you can absolutely live in a both justified and a clean holy life, and without the Holy Ghost. See, the Bible, First John 5:7, said, “There are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and… Father, Word, and Holy Ghost,” which was the Son, “and these three are one. And there’s three that bear record in earth, the water, Blood, and Spirit, and they agree in one.” Not one, but agree in one. You can’t have the Father without having the Son; you can’t have the Son without having the Holy Ghost, for they are inseparable, one. The trinity is in a one.[14]

    Here, let me show you something in the Scriptures so you won’t be tied up. I don’t have time to teach, but look. For instance, when a baby’s born in this world… A baby born a natural birth, what is the three elements that comes from the body? The first is water. Is that right? Blood. Is that right? Then life, spirit. Is that true? Water, blood, and spirit, that makes a complete birth. When a man is born again of the Spirit of God, there was three elements came from the Body of Jesus Christ that we go through to be born again of the Spirit of God: water, blood, and spirit. Is that right? Pierced His side: water and Blood and Spirit. These three are one. That’s the elements we come through: the justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ, the three.[15]

    Now, Christian friend, a person cannot be born again until they have received the Holy Spirit. See? You can’t. You are not even converted until you receive the Holy Ghost. I’m not say, “you’re lost,” before you receive the Holy Ghost; ’cause you’re not. There is three… there is one work of grace, only one work of grace, that’s the Holy Spirit. And it’s made in three manifestations. Just like there’s one God made in three manifestations: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. One God, only one. Now, there is three works of grace but three manifestations. There’s a manifestation of justification by faith. A man believes God, says, “Yes, sir, I believe that. I believe there’s a true God and now for my personal Saviour, I accept Jesus Christ, His Son, as my personal Saviour.” Now, that’s what’s called justification by faith, which the disciples received first.[16]

    Now, that’s exactly what’s come today through justification and sanctification. See? “Has trod the Blood of Jesus Christ wherewith he was sanctified,” it is the sanctified people that come up to a place where they see the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and they turn away and say, “It’s fanaticism; we cannot take it. We’ll be turned out of our classes; we’ll be turned out of our places. We’ll be turned out of our churches. We cannot do that (see?), because it’s contrary to our church teaching.” See? Has counted the Blood of Jesus Christ that brought him all this distance, right to the sealing of the promise, and then walk away from it. He said it’s totally impossible for them to ever be saved. See, see? Not the one that has walked over in the promised land…[17]

    So if a man sets on the thought of “just justification is all you have to have,” he’s wrong, wrong. He’s got to be wrong. And then if the church who believes like the many of the Pentecostals, that the Holy Ghost is it, “that’s all, just repent and get the Holy Ghost,” that’s still wrong, because you’ve got to get sanctification in there to cleanse it before the Holy Ghost comes in. If you don’t, you leave out the Blood. See? And the new Birth, as people talks that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is the new Birth. Now, that’s wrong. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is different from the new Birth. The new Birth is when you’re born again. But the Holy Ghost is when power comes into that Birth for service. That’s exact. See? The Holy Ghost is…baptized into the Holy Ghost.[18]

    God is perfected in three’s. Like Father, Son, Holy Spirit, makes one God. And justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Ghost, makes one birth. Water, Blood, and Spirit, makes one Birth. And so forth, see, it’s all, it’s perfect. We haven’t time to go through the—the numerals of God, in His, what He is perfected in; and what His Coming will be in, and so forth, and what number, but we’re in it.[19]

    In Luther’s reformation, he, in the time of that, he said the just shall live by faith. “The man that believes, he, that’s got It.” But we found out many of them said they believed, and didn’t have It. In the days of—of John Wesley, if they got the second blessing, they called it, sanctification, entire sanctification, they got happy and shouted. “Everybody shouted, had It.” But they found out they didn’t have It. A lot of them shouted, and didn’t have It. The days of Pentecost, they said, “Now the restoration of the gifts has come, the baptism of the Spirit. He that speaks in tongues, has got It.” We find out that many spoke with tongues, and didn’t have It. So they say, “Well, the fruit of the Spirit, that’s what It is.” Oh, no, not the fruit of the Spirit. Christian Science has that, where hardly…Love is the fruit of the Spirit. Then, and they have more love than anybody, and deny the Deity of Jesus Christ; just call Him a prophet, just an ordinary man. See? So that doesn’t do it.[20]

    See, He makes three Comings. He come in three son’s names. He come in a trinity: Father, Son, Holy Ghost. See, all of it the same Christ, the same God, all the time. Now, we know He come to bring three works of grace: justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Ghost. Everything, in God, is completed in three’s.[21]

    Baptism of the Holy Spirit

    The mysteries, here is “the mystery.” A mystery is Scripture, is a previously hidden Truth now Divinely revealed, but (which is) a supernatural element still remains despite the revelation. The greater mysteries and the great mysteries are:

    ...The mystery of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, without sensation, but the Person of Christ performing in you the same works that He did.[22]

    Now, there’s a good question. Now, the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a definite experience that a person must receive.[23]

    Is there any here that hasn’t received the baptism of the Spirit, yet? Now you say, “Brother Branham, I tell you, I shouted one time.” That’s very good. “I spoke in tongues once.” That’s very good, too. But still that ain’t what I’m talking about. How can you shout and speak in tongues and deny the Word? The evidence of the Holy Ghost is believing His Word. Always been every age if you can receive the Word. Those priests had Jesus beat a million miles when it come to fruits of the Spirit: gentle, and peaceful, and meek, lowly. He tore up churches, kicked them over; and tore the people out, and called them “snakes in the grass” and everything. See? But He was that Word. He was that Word. That’s it: believe God. God is the Word. Believe It.[24]

    Now, that's no evidence of the Holy Ghost. See? You can't rely upon that. You can't rely upon the fruit of the Spirit, because the first fruit of the Spirit is love. And the Christian Science exercise more love than anybody I know of, and they even deny Jesus Christ being Divine. See? There's only one evidence of the Holy Spirit that I know of, and that is a genuine faith in the promised Word of the hour.[25]

    Now we have been constantly saying that the true evidence of being baptized with the Holy Ghost is for the believer to receive the Word for the age in which he lives.[26]

    The evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost today is just the same as it was back in the day of our Lord. It is receiving the Word of truth for the day in which you live. Jesus never did stress the importance of the Works as He did the Word.[27]

    Water, Blood and Spirit

    There’s three elements that came from the body of Christ, to make up the spiritual body of Jesus Christ. Do you believe that? Water, Blood, Spirit, that’s just what come out of His body. Is that true? Well, that’s just exactly the elements it takes to go through to get into His body, the elements that…?… That constitutes the new birth, three elements: water, blood, spirit.[28]

    What come from Jesus’ body when He died? What the… What does the natural birth consist of? (Excuse me, sisters, and you, young ladies. I beg you’ll forgive me, but I want to make a statement.) When a baby is born a natural birth, what’s the first thing? Water; second thing, Blood; third thing, spirit. What come out of the body of Jesus? Water, Blood, Spirit! Amen. When a baby’s born, and it never cries, it never moves, there’s something wrong with it; it’s what’s called a stillbirth. It’s dead when it’s born. What happens? The doctor picks him up by the heels and shakes him, and gives him a few little spanks, and a scream comes out, and life comes in.[29]

    Now, we find out, like the natural body, here’s the natural body, and the body was made to reproduce itself, which was children. And now the natural body, in the natural birth of a baby, we find out the first thing comes forth is water, then blood, and then life. We find out in the spiritual body of Christ, the first thing is water, and Blood, and Life; justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Ghost. See how it reflects, all the natural things reflecting the spiritual things. The natural birth.[30]

    When they killed Jesus at the cross, the substance come from His body, to make up the new…to make up the—the Birth. They struck His side, Blood and water came out, and, “Into Thy hands I commend My Spirit.” What came from His body was water, Blood, Spirit. 172 Now, First John 5:7 tells you about that, “There are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word (which is Christ,) and the Holy Ghost.” And these three agree in one; they’re not one, but they agree in one. And there are three that bear record… Or, “They are one,” I mean. I’m mistaken there. “And the three that bear record in earth, is the water, Blood, and Spirit, and they agree in one.” You can be sanctified without being justified. And you can be justified without being sanctified. You can be sanctified without receiving the Holy Ghost.[31]

    Notice like this. When a baby is born, there is three things that constitutes its birth. The first thing in normal birth…You adults listen close now; the young children will never catch it. But, let’s see, the first thing in a normal birth is water, then blood, then life. See? Now that’s the same thing that constitutes the new birth; water, Blood, Spirit. The elements that came from His body is what makes His Body. See? It come from His body, is the material that takes to—to make His Bride. Because, Adam had his bride taken from his body. Christ has His Bride taken from the body. And when Christ died, there was three elements that came from His body; water, Blood, Spirit; justification through believing, water; sanctification through the Blood; the baptism of the Holy Spirit.[32]

    Now, in First John 5:7, I believe it is, if I’m not mistaken, It said, “There are three that bear record in Heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; these three are One. There are three that bear record in earth, that’s water, Blood, and Spirit, and they agree in one.” Now notice. The first three are One. The second three are earthly, which agree in one. Cannot have the Father without the Son; you cannot have the Son without having the Holy Ghost. But you can have the water without the Blood, and the Blood without the Spirit. I think, through our ages, has proved this to be true; water, Blood, Spirit; justification, sanctification, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That types, or makes the… or, and an antitype, which takes away from the natural birth. Look when a—a woman or anything in travail, for birth. The first thing comes to pass, the breaking of the water, a normal birth; second thing is the blood; and then comes life. Water, blood, spirit; and that constitutes the normal, natural birth. And so is it in the spiritual realm. It’s water; justification by faith, believing on God, receiving Him as your personal Saviour, and being baptized. Second, is sanctification of the spirit, that God cleanses the spirit from all elements of the world, and the desire of the world. And then the Holy Spirit comes in and gives new Birth and fills up that sanctified vessel.[33]

    Now, the world, how did He redeem the world? The first, what He did, when it sinned, He washed it off in water baptism. That’s right. Then He dropped His Blood upon it, from the cross, and sanctified it and called it His Own. And then what does He do? As He tore all the world out of you, and renovated the whole thing by the fiery baptism of the Holy Ghost, He also will renovate the world. And it’ll be burnt over with Fire, and cleanse every germ, for millions of miles high, every thing will be cleaned off. And then there is a New Heaven and a New Earth, just like you are a new creature in Christ Jesus when the Holy Spirit takes a hold of you. See, there you are, the whole thing is just as plain as it can be. Everything is in three. The natural birth is in three. What’s the first thing happens to the woman having a baby? What breaks first? Water. What breaks next? Blood. What’s the next process? Life. Water, blood, spirit.[34]


    Footnotes

    1. ↑ The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), 1 Jn 5:6–9
    2. ↑ William Branham, 63-0320 - The Third Seal, para. 171-173
    3. ↑ William Branham, 59-0708M - Dedication Of Building, To The Lord, para. 11
    4. ↑ New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), 1 Jn 5:6–9.
    5. ↑ Melvin F. Dieter, “The Wesleyan Perspective,” in Five Views on Sanctification, ed. Stanley N. Gundry, Zondervan Counterpoints Collection (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987), 17.
    6. ↑ Simon Chan, Pentecostal Theology and the Christian Spiritual Tradition (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2011), 67.
    7. ↑ The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 1 Jn 5:6.
    8. ↑ John R. W. Stott, The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 19, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 177.
    9. ↑ The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 1 Jn 5:6.
    10. ↑ Karen H. Jobes, 1, 2, & 3 John, ed. Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014), 222.
    11. ↑ Raymond E. Brown, The Epistles of John: Translated, with Introduction, Notes, and Commentary, vol. 30, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2008), 582.
    12. ↑ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Jn 5:7–9
    13. ↑ John R. W. Stott, The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 19, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 180.
    14. ↑ William Branham, 53-0608A - Demonology, Physical Realm, para. 57
    15. ↑ William Branham, 53-0904 - Healing (What Cancer Is), para. 18
    16. ↑ William Branham, 54-0516 - Questions And Answers (Law Having A Shadow), para. 14
    17. ↑ William Branham, 61-1015M - Questions And Answers, para. 74
    18. ↑ William Branham, 62-0909M - Countdown, para. 37
    19. ↑ William Branham, 63-0627 - Jesus Christ The Same Yesterday, Today, And Forever, para. 166
    20. ↑ William Branham, 64-0213 - Then Jesus Came And Called, para. 9-12
    21. ↑ William Branham, 64-0726E - Broken Cisterns, para. 14
    22. ↑ William Branham, 62-1230E - Is This The Sign Of The End, Sir?, para. 244, 260
    23. ↑ William Branham, 64-0823E - Questions And Answers #2, para. 40
    24. ↑ William Branham, 64-1227 - Who Do You Say This Is?, para. 218
    25. ↑ QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.2_ JEFF.IN COD SUNDAY_ 64-0823E
    26. ↑ 155-2, SMYRNAEAN.CHURCH.AGE, CHURCH.AGE.BOOK CPT.4
    27. ↑ 169-4, PERGAMEAN.CHURCH.AGE, CHURCH.AGE.BOOK CPT.5
    28. ↑ William Branham, 52-0713A - Early Spiritual Experiences, para. 7
    29. ↑ William Branham, 60-0709 - God's Provided Way Of Approach To Fellowship, para. 54
    30. ↑ William Branham, 62-0909M - Countdown, para. 34
    31. ↑ William Branham, 63-0320 - The Third Seal, para. 171-173
    32. ↑ William Branham, 63-1113 - The Sign Of This Time, para. 115-116
    33. ↑ William Branham, 65-0124 - Birth Pains, para. 46-49
    34. ↑ William Branham, 65-0221E - Who Is This Melchisedec?, para. 114-115


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