Water, Blood, and the Holy Spirit

John, who witnessed the miracle of blood and water explained the meaning of what he saw. "This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree" (1 John 5:6-8).

Baptism is where water and blood come together, under the eternal Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is the witness who enables this union, which transcends space and time. So when a sinner is baptized in water, he is actually baptized in the blood of Christ!

The presence of Christ's blood in baptism accounts for the many visions and miracles that have occurred during baptisms.

God often opens the eyes of people, including passers-by and people who observe the baptism, to see visions of blood in the water. Some see the Lord Jesus on the cross, his blood flowing down to the baptismal area. And some receive instant healing when they are baptized. These miracles confirm that baptism is truly a saving act of God.