1 John 5

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for Messiah)

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 1 John 5:1

Believing that Jesus is the promised Anointed One is the start of being born of God. Loving the Father who begets includes loving those born of Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Matthew 16:16 — Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God

Son of God

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4–5

Faith that Jesus is the Son of God is what lets us overcome the world, because He Himself overcame it.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 16:33 — be of good cheer; I have overcome the world

Atonement (water and blood)

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. 1 John 5:6

Jesus Christ came through water (His baptism and birth) and blood (His atoning sacrifice), and the Holy Ghost bears witness that it is true.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 19:34 — forthwith came there out blood and water
• alludes to Moses 6:59-60 — born of water and of the Spirit, and cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten

The Word

The Word — Christ as the one who speaks and reveals the Father

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7

Christ is called the Word, one of three heavenly witnesses with the Father and the Holy Ghost. They are one in purpose while being distinct.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 1:1 — In the beginning was the Word
• alludes to 3 Nephi 11:27 — the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one

Doctrine of Christ (Spirit, water, blood)

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 1 John 5:8

The Spirit, water, and blood witness of Christ on earth: the Holy Ghost, baptism, and the cleansing blood of His Atonement all point to Him and agree together.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Moses 6:60 — by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified

Son of God

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 John 5:9–10

The Father Himself has testified of His Son, and that witness is greater than any human testimony. Those who believe carry that witness inside them.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Matthew 3:17 — This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased
• alludes to 3 Nephi 11:7 — Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased

Son of God (life is in the Son)

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 1 John 5:11–12

Eternal life is not found apart from Jesus. To have Him is to have life.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 3:36 — He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life
• alludes to John 14:6 — I am the way, the truth, and the life

Faith in the name of the Son of God

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13

John wrote so believers in the name of the Son of God could know they have eternal life.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 20:31 — that believing ye might have life through his name

Son of God, the True God

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

The Son of God has come and helps us know the true God. Being in Jesus Christ is being in the true God and in eternal life.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 17:3 — that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent