A Study of the Book of John

Transcription

1 A Study of the Book of John THIS IS AN INCOMPLETE DRAFT: THE FINAL DRAFT WILL HAVE THE FORMAT OF THE FIRST THREE LESSONS. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. - we have taken the liberty to capitalize the pronouns of God and remove a few "that" - not necessarily consistently. References to passages are in parenthesis (); Scripture references to direct quotes are in brackets []. Brackets used within a quote signify editorial changes. WH denotes commentary by William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary - Exposition of the Gospel According to John, two volumes complete in one (1953, 1972; paged by volume, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI). JFB denotes commentary by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary (1871). No page references are given as the resource used was the parallel version in the Olive Tree reference library. Unless noted otherwise, the reference is parallel to the Scripture passage. PURPOSE The purpose of the writing of the Book of John is found in chapter twenty, verses thirty and thirty-one: "These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." "The Gospel according to John is the most amazing book that was ever written... for if its testimony is true, the faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God has received glorious confirmation." [WH vol 1, pg3]. INTRODUCTION Historically, it is believed the Apostle John wrote the Book of John and his first two epistles to combat the heresy of Cerinthus - the "enemy of the truth" who said Jesus is not the Christ and God had not come in the flesh. According to Irenaeus, Polycarp told the story that John the Apostle so detested Cerinthus he once fled a bathhouse when he learned Cerinthus was inside, yelling "Let us flee, lest the bathhouse fall down because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within!" [WH vol 1, pg 33, quoting Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses (Against Heresies), book III, chapter 3, verse 4]. John states positively, "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." Thus refuting both claims of Cerinthus: 1) Jesus is not the Christ; and 2) God had not come in the flesh. For Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah and chapter one makes very clear 1) Jesus is God and 2) He had come in the flesh. page 1-29 October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

2 BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF JOHN 1) The revelation of Jesus Christ, Son of God made flesh a) Prologue (1:1-18) b) Revealing the Son of God (1:19 - chapter 4) i. covering a period of approx two years and four months (Dec 26 to Passover 29) c) Rejection in Judea (chapter 5) d) Rejection in Galilee (chapter 6) 2) Public Teachings of Jesus Christ a) Retirement ministry (7:1 see the Synoptic Gospels) i. covers Passover - October 29 b) Preaching among His adversaries (7:2-10:39) i. covers Feast of Tabernacles to Feast of Dedication year 29 (October to December) c) Call to sinners (10:40-42) d) Raising the dead - Lazarus (chapter 11) e) Triumphal entry and final public exhortations (chapter 12) 3) Final Instructions to the Disciples, Death and Resurrection a) The Last Supper Discourses (chapters 13-16) b) The prayer to the Father, or high priestly prayer (chapter 17) c) Trial, execution and burial (chapters 18 and 19) d) The Resurrection and appearances (chapter 20 and 21) Dates and times for this outline came from William Hendriksen's New Testament Commentaries, as well as some influence upon the outline. However, his outline is broken down into two major points with seven sub-points (see WH vol 1, pp 64-65). "The plan of John's Gospel is, indeed, beautiful. The arrangement is superb. We see the Word in his pre-incarnate glory, so that we may appreciate his condescending love in coming to earth in order to save sinners. In his earthly ministry he reveals himself to ever-widening circles, but is rejected both in Judea and Galilee. Nevertheless, he does not at once destroy those who have rejected him, but instead he makes his tender appeal to sinners, that they may accept him by faith. Meanwhile opposition becomes active and bitter resistance. By two mighty deeds he now manifests himself clearly as the Messiah. But though Greeks seek him, the Jews, who have seen such clear tokens of his character, love and power, repulse him. So he turns to the inner circle, tenderly instructs then in the Upper Room, and just before his final suffering and death commits them to the Father's care. In his very death he overcomes the world and by means of his resurrection he reveals the meaning of the cross." [WH vol 1, pg 66]. Written approximately 85 AD. page 2-29 October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

3 1:1-5 - Christ is the Word from the Beginning In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [ESV]. CHRIST WAS IN THE BEGINNING The Gospel of John begins with a parallel to the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The Bible begins, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." [Gen 1:1]. The Gospel of John begins, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." In the Gospel of John, the beginning refers to the beginning of time. God created time when He created the world. Paul wrote Christ was before all things (Col 1:17) and Jesus, himself, said He was with the Father before the creation (Joh 17:5). Before time began; when nothing existed but God alone - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. When John said Christ was with God and was God from the beginning, this does not imply there was a moment when God came into existence. God was always together. He is the I AM (Exo 3:14). It is hard for man to understand eternity; it is easier to grasp no end going forward but difficult, if not impossible, to grasp no end going backward. It is hard for man to understand time without measuring it. God lives in eternity - past, present and future. The best John could say with human understanding was Christ was with God and Christ was God in the beginning. The Gospel does not say, "He was FROM the beginning." The Gospel says He was IN the beginning - He was there, but His life transcends time. Jesus said: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. [Rev 21:6]. Christ was in the beginning because He has existed, with the Father and the Spirit, for all eternity. He was and is and is to come (Rev 1:4 & 8). But He emptied Himself of this glory and came to make salvation known to man. He made a way for man to come to the Father. Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born page 3-29 October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

4 in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [Php 2:6-8]. CHRIST IS CALLED THE WORD John tells us the Word was in the beginning. This is not a written document he is talking about. In verse two John refers to the Word as "He." This tells us two things: 1) The Word is a person; and 2) God is not a "she." According to John's account, the Word is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Bible is also called the Word, and rightly so because the Scripture is about Jesus Christ - He is the central theme. In the Old Testament, the theme is the coming Messiah and pictures and prophecies of Christ. The New Testament gives four accounts of Christ's life, death and resurrection It looks forward to His coming again and tells us how to walk with Him while we wait for His return. Christ is the Word, the physical representation of God and the Bible is the Word, the written account of the Son of God. There are three persons of the Trinity. Christ is distinct in personality from the Father but inseparable from Him. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed. [Joh 17:5]. You have heard the saying, "A man is only as good as his word." Christ, whose word is to God, what man's word is to himself. Christ is the Word of God because He came to make God -the Father - known. The Apostle John wrote: No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, [Christ] has made Him known. [Joh 1:18]. And Jesus said: I can do nothing on My own. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I seek not My own will but the will of Him who sent Me. [Joh 5:30 ESV]. Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. [Joh 7:16 ESV]. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him. [Joh 14:7]. Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does His works. [Joh 14:10 ESV]. Christ came to make the Father known. An Interesting Parallel is that the Bible is known as the Word of God. What is the Bible about? In the fullness of Scripture we see clearly the Son of God and the plan of the Father. Christ, the Word, came to make the Father known - and He came in physical form, as a man. Christ is no longer with us in the flesh so, now, He has left us the Scriptures to show us the way to the Father. page 4-29 October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

5 but in these last days [God] has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. [Heb 1:2]. ALL THINGS WERE MADE THROUGH HIM John wrote, "without Him was not any thing made that was made" (V3). This includes everything we can see and everything we cannot see - everything too small for the microscope and everything to far for the Hubbell telescope. By the word of the LORD the heavens were made... [Psa 33:6]. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [Col 1:16-17]. He made everything and it is interesting, rather than describe these things as animals, trees, mountains and such Paul defined these as thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities. All these world rulers and every kind of authority among man and principalities are made by and for the glory of Christ - and, though they rage against Him, as the Psalmist wrote in the second chapter of the Psalms, Christ is the highest authority and He will be glorified among them. This is the problem for the atheist: not that they do not believe in God or His creative work, but that they despise the fact they must submit to His authority. This is why the atheist's life is consumed with proving God does not exist. This is the nut: if God is the Creator then He is the highest authority and all men have an obligation to give God the honor due to Him. According to the second chapter of Philippians, one day every knee shall bow. Even professing Christians have a hard time submitting to God's authority. Christ commanded us to pray for God's kingdom in His example of daily prayer (Mat 6:9-13) but most prayer time is spent with requests for our own kingdoms. The heart of man has a natural tendency to elevate himself and bring God's authority down to his level. Yet it remains, God made all and He rules over all - He alone is supreme.... there is ONE GOD, the Father, FROM whom are all things and FOR whom we exist, and ONE LORD, Jesus Christ, THROUGH whom are all things and THROUGH whom we exist. [1Co 8:6]. All things are FROM the Father and THROUGH the Son and we exist FOR the Father and THROUGH the Son because Christ is the Life. CHRIST IS THE LIFE - THE LIGHT OF MEN The Apostle John, was a disciple of Christ. He saw Him, heard Him and touched Him. The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us. [1Jo 1:2]. Christ claimed to have life in Himself. This means life came through Him. Jesus said: page 5-29 October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

6 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself. - Jesus [Joh 5:26]. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die." [Joh 11:25]. We know that every man will die once. Hebrews 9:27 tells us it is appointed unto man to die but Christ has promised after our physical death, we shall never die again. We will have life eternal if we believe in Jesus Christ for our salvation. For those who do not believe, there is eternal death. Just as Christ came to make the Father known, He came to be the Way to God. I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. [Joh 14:6]. There is no other way! In Him was life and this life was the light of men. Are you in the light? THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS Before the creation began, the earth was full of darkness. The way Moses describes it in the first of Genesis, there was no light. This must have been an incredible darkness - no light, no moon or stars. But we know God is greater than the deepest darkness. Job said, "He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light." [Job 12:22]. John said the world was in darkness when Jesus came to man. In John chapter three, Jesus told Nicodemus men love darkness because their deeds are evil. John describes Christ as the light of men and he said the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot grasp it (Joh 1:4-5). That is, the most evilness of man - the cumulative evil of men - cannot overcome, cannot comprehend the light of Christ. John said it was so when Christ came and it is written in the Word in the present tense. For two thousand years man has tried to suppress the truth of Jesus Christ but where ever His truth is brought forth, it chases the darkness away and the darkness is unable to overcome it. Paul wrote to the Colossian church, God has delivered us from the domain of darkness and placed us in the kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ (Col 1:13). Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. [ Ephesians 5:8]. The darkness has not overcome it. Jesus said: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. [Joh 8:12]. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. [Joh 9:5]. Though Christ has come and given light to the world, the world has rejected this light. They rejected Christ back then and they crucified Him. Now He calls all men to repentance but few there are who listen. page 6-29 October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

7 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [Joh 3:19]. While man is a slave to sin, he is engulfed in darkness and people in darkness cannot comprehend the light. As the Apostle Paul wrote God uses the foolish - or common - to shame the wise - or intellectual. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. [1Co 1:21]. But the darkness cannot overcome the light. Christ has promised to deliver us out of this darkness, if we will believe in Him. Jesus said: I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. [Joh 12:46]. The Apostle John wrote: For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? [1Jo 5:4]. This is opposite of the psychology preached by the modern church where everyone is placed into victim groups in need of recovery. When a professing Christian appears to be trapped in a life of addiction, or other such sin, people want to apologize for them and put them in counseling and self-help groups. But the problem is their faith has not taken root. Read the parable of the Seed and the Sower in Luke chapter eight. If the seed does not take root, the person is not saved. If the person is saved, Paul said, John said and Christ said, this person is delivered from darkness - they are NOT on the road to recovery - they are delivered. In his first epistle, the Apostle John said we cannot have fellowship with Christ while walking in darkness. If we say we are following Christ while living in sin, we lie (1Jo 1:6-7). John was talking to professing Christians - some professing Christians are walking in darkness and they are not saved. Some sins are obvious: thieving, adultery and such - and especially those who claim their identity by sin, such as a "homosexual Christian." But some sin is less obvious. When I was a young man, I left the faith as I had become indoctrinated by positive mental attitude books. The books spoke some truth and seemed to be uplifting but they are darkness because they lead the reader away from Christ and center man's thoughts around himself. John Owens said, "He who has small thoughts of sin, never has had great thoughts of God." Any time we look for truth outside of God's Word, we are looking for truth via darkness, or, as John said, we are walking in darkness. Jesus told us, The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness. [Mat 6:22-23]. page 7-29 October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

8 The healthy eye is consumed with the Word of God - the source of light. The bad eye follows the world's wisdom which appears to be true but the darkness is very great. In the first two chapters of 1Corinthians, Paul wrote the wisdom of the Word of God is foolishness to the world but we who believe have the mind of Christ. JESUS AS LIGHT IN THE BOOK OF JOHN 1) 1:4-5 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 2) 1:9-10 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. 3) 3:19-21 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. 4) 8:12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 5) 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6) 11:9-10 Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him. 7) 12:35-36 The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. 8) 12:46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. IN CLOSING Christ was in the beginning, with God the Father and in the person of God the Son. But He emptied Himself of this glory and came to make salvation known to man. He made a way for man to come to the Father. Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [Php 2:6-8]. If we believe, we have been chosen in Him and we are rescued from the darkness that condemns us so that we can live forever with Him. Even as [the Father] chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for page 8-29 October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

9 adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. [Eph 1:4-7]. Since Christ has brought this light to us, we should strive to live in the fear of God and bring this light to others. The Apostle Paul wrote we shine as lights to the world as we hold fast to the Word of life. Here's what he wrote in Philippians chapter 2. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life... [Php 2:12-16]. Though we live in this world of darkness, we can be confident that Christ is our light and our life. He has promised us eternal life if we continue to believe and to walk in obedience to Him. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. [1Jo 5:11-12]. Have you received the light of the Son of God? If not, receive Him today! page 9-29 October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

10 1:6-8 A Witness to the Light - Sent From God There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. John the Baptist a man sent from God a witness (to testify of the Light that all might believe) was NOT the light John the Baptist was a witness to the light and Christ was the true light. page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

11 John 1: The Light Has Come Into the World The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about Him, and cried out, "This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because He was before me.") For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, He has made Him known. [ESV]. THE LIGHT CAME TO THE WORLD The Apostle John wrote the light was coming into the world. This is the light prophesied by Isaiah.... I will make You as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth. [Isa 49:6 ESV]. Christ is the light for the nations and He still reaches to the ends of the earth. The light was in the world - and we know this to be a historical fact that Jesus Christ was physically a man and lived among men. The Apostle John wrote the world was made through Him but the world did not know Him. They did not know Him because they clung to their sin. Jesus told Nicodemus, page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

12 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [Joh 3:19 ESV]. The Apostle Paul agreed with John the world was made by Christ. He wrote, For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through Him and for Him. [Col 3:16 ESV]. Although the world, the universe and all things were made by, through and for Christ, John said Christ came to the world but the world did not know Him. Jesus said the world loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. [Joh 3:20-21 ESV]. Though the world hate the light, Jesus Christ, yet God has chosen to save some - to bring them to the light and work truth in their lives. The Apostle John wrote this about our hope:... the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. [1Jo 2:8 ESV]. JESUS CHRIST CAME TO HIS OWN Who are His own? The nation of Israel. But, as the Apostle John wrote, they did not receive Him. John the Baptist said no one receives His testimony (Joh 3:32). Isaiah told us the world does not seek after God - "no one calls upon Your name." [Isa 64:7]. Paul wrote, "no one understands, no one seeks after God." [Rom 3:11]. Men were not looking for the Christ, so it can be no surprise they did not recognize Him when He came. He came to His own people, Israel, but they did not receive Him. In the Book of Isaiah, God said He set aside a people for Himself so they might declare His praise but they did not call upon Him. the people whom I formed for Myself that they might declare My praise. Yet you did not call upon Me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of Me, O Israel! [Isa 43:21-22 ESV]. The story of the visit of the Wise Men, in Matthew chapter two is an interesting case in point: The magi inquired of the priests, in Jerusalem, where the Messiah child was living. The priests were able to figure the times and locations given in Scripture and sent the magi on their way to Bethlehem. At this time, the child of Christ might have been as old as two years but none of the religious leaders had sought Him. And even that day they did not go along nor seek the child because they were not interested in the promised Messiah. Then, John wrote those who did receive Him, He gave the right to become children of God (v12). It is popular to say, "I received Jesus in my heart" though the Bible speaks nothing of receiving into our hearts, we know what is intended by the phrase. Paul wrote with the heart page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

13 one believes (Rom 10:9-10). But James wrote, "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe - and shudder!" [Jam 2:19]. Is a profession of faith all that is required to receive Jesus Christ? The Bible tells us, no on seeks after God. The Apostle John affirmed this by declaring those who receive were not born of the will of man (v13). Whether you wish to take this figuratively or literally it is all the same - man does not choose God; God chooses man. As John said in this passage, "Those who believe were born of the will of God." [v13 ESV]. Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." [Joh 6:44 ESV]. Our conversations on predestination and election will come at another time. What we need to look at here is the meaning of receiving Jesus Christ. We could expand this question by talking about faith. Many people have faith - but they do not believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Paul wrote about those destined to perish: they refuse to believe the truth, so God sends them a strong delusion - something to believe but not the truth (2Th 2:9-12). This could be false religions, Christian cults and self-helps. The Mormon faith is a good example: on the surface, it resembles Christianity and they have a positive community but they lack the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have faith but they lack the truth. About having faith in faith, A.W. Tozer wrote, I do not recall another period when 'faith' was as popular as it is today. If only we believe hard enough we'll make it somehow. So goes the popular chant. What you believe is not important. Only believe... What is overlooked in all this is that faith is good only when it engages truth; when it is made to rest upon falsehood it can and often does lead to eternal tragedy. For it is not enough that we believe; we must believe the right thing about the right One. The Prophet Ezekiel wrote, They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'Declares the LORD,' when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect Him to fulfill their word." [Eze 13:6 ESV]. C.S. Lewis wrote, We must not encourage in ourselves or others any tendency to work up a subjective state which, if we succeeded, we should describe as 'faith,' with the idea that this will somehow insure the granting of our prayer... The state of mind which desperate desire working on a strong imagination can manufacture is not faith in the Christian sense. It is a feat of psychological gymnastics. Jesus Christ asked the question, "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" [Luk 18:8 ESV]. What He had been talking about was persevering in prayer and He gave a parable of the widow and the judge who neither feared God nor man. Jesus said just as surely as the widow's persistence swayed the heart of the corrupt judge, so God hears the cries of the elect. There are professions of faith and professions of faith in Christ. But what does it mean to receive Jesus Christ? In his epistle, the Apostle John wrote, page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

14 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? [1Jo 5:1-5 ESV]. In this passage, John lists 4 things that demonstrate we truly believe in Christ: 1) We love the Father; 2) We love the children of God - our brothers; 3) We keep God's commandments - which are not burdensome; 4) We overcome the world - that is, we overcome fleshly desires. How can we accomplish this of our own efforts? In Romans chapter seven, the Apostle Paul explains our struggle with our sin nature. He said what he wants to do, he cannot; and what he does what he does not want to do. In the passage of First John chapter five, which we just read, it is explained those who believe have been born of God. We don't choose to be born, nor do we choose to be born again. God does the choosing and it is He who transforms our life and it is He who produces fruit in us. Which is the same thing Jesus said, as we read earlier: "But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." [3:21 ESV]. Do you find this a hard doctrine to understand? In this passage of John chapter one, the apostle explained, those who are born again "were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." [v13]. If we are saved, it was not because of anything we have done - it was not even our will or decision to get saved - it was God's will and it is His work in our lives; for His purposes. The Apostle Paul wrote the Ephesians:... [God] chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will. [Eph 1:4-5 ESV]. JESUS CHRIST DWELT AMONG MAN In these verses we are studying, the Apostle John wrote 1) Christ came to the world; 2) Christ came to His own; and 3) Christ came to dwell among man. we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. [v14 ESV]. John wasn't talking about seeing Christ with his physical eyes. To understand Christ is God become man is to see Him with spiritual eyes. For, the Apostle Paul wrote, page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

15 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [1Co 2:8 ESV]. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. [1Co 2:14 ESV]. THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN THE APOSTLE John told us Christ came into the world and the world did not, or refused to, know Him (v10). This is a great mystery that the God who created man would 1) reduce Himself to become a man; and 2) that He would dwell among man without destroying him. Paul tells us in Philippians chapter two, even though Christ was with God and Christ was God, He did not cling to His status but made Himself nothing - taking on the nature and likeness of man and He was obedient, even to His own death. Christ did not come to destroy, or condemn the world He came to die (Joh 3:17). Through His death He destroyed the devil, who had the power of death. As Genesis 3:15 foretold, He shall bruise Satan's head. By destroying Satan's work, He delivered those who were in bondage to sin (Heb 2:14-15). The Apostle Paul told us Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming the curse for us (Gal 3:13). God sent His Son, born in the flesh. He was born under the law (see Luk 2:21-27) to redeem us who were under the law - or condemned by the law - so that we might be adopted as sons (Gal 4:4; see also Rom 8:15). The law cannot not save man because we all fall short (Rom 3:23). The law announces God's standard but it is weak in giving eternal life. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh. [Rom 8:3 ESV]. Christ was born of the flesh, fulfilled the requirements of the law, destroyed Satan's dominion of death and redeemed those who were lost to give them eternal life. "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." [Col 2:13 ESV]. WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY John is not merely stating a fact - this is an exciting proclamation. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life - the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

16 fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. [1Jo 1:1-4 ESV]. The Apostle John saw God's glory upon Jesus at His baptism (v32) and the Transfiguration (Luk 9:28-36). At both events, God voiced from heaven, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased." [Mat 3:17; 17:5]. These must have been glorious things to behold: God speaking to man and raining His approval of His Son, Jesus Christ - confirming He was whom He claimed to be - the only Son of God. This is why John could positively say, In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. [v4-5 ESV]. His glory was full of grace and truth. Grace, in that, He dwelt among man without destroying him (Joh 3:17; Rom 8:34); He came as a servant (Rom 15:8; see also Joh 13:4-5); He was the final sacrifice for mans' sins (1Co 5:7; Heb 10:12); He came to destroy the dominion of death (1Co 15:26; Heb 2:14); He came to die that we might have life (Rom 5:8; 6:23). Truth, in that, Christ told us He is the way, the truth and the life (Joh 14:6). Christ is the only way to the Father (Act 4:12; 1Ti 2:5). God's grace comes by way of truth (Col 1:6) - they go together. FROM HIS FULLNESS WE HAVE RECEIVED GRACE UPON GRACE John began the chapter telling us Christ was in the beginning with God and was God. Paul told us the fullness of deity dwells bodily in Christ (Col 2:9). In other words, Christ is the full representation of the Godhead - the physical form of God; God dwells in Him (Col 1:19). The dictionary says fullness is the state of being filled to capacity. When the Bible talks about the fullness of Christ it refers to His fullness of the Godhead. Jesus said He has seen the Father (6:46); He speaks of what He has seen with His Father (8:38); and if we see Him, we have seen the Father also (14:9). Not only is Christ the fullness of God, but we "have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority." [Col 2:9-10]. This is why Christ commands us to abide in Him - because we have been filled in Him. And just as Christ represented, or revealed, the Godhead to man, we too, represent Christ, who is the head of all rule and authority, not only to man but also to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (Eph 3:10). We are witnesses to truth and Paul wrote Christ ascended so that He might equip the saints until we attain unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God - to the measure we are filled with Christ (Eph 4:13). How do we become filled with Christ? By abiding in Him - getting into His Word. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on Me, he also will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. [Joh 6:56-58 ESV]. Jesus Christ is God made flesh. He if fully God and fully man - and the fullness of God dwelt in Him. His purpose was to reconcile sinful man to a Holy God - God, Himself, rescued man from His wrath. There can be no greater grace than this. page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

17 What does it mean, "grace upon grace"? The term is not "grace upon works" nor "works upon grace." Grace is a gift of God - not of works nor is it of our decision or choosing (Eph 2:8-9). Though we are condemned by the Law, the Law is not without grace. The fact God would direct man to live Godly lives and He gave the law to make man conscious of sin is evidence of His grace and truth (see Romans chapter 7). In this respect, the grace of the new covenant is built upon the grace of the old covenant. This, too, is grace upon grace. The law came through Moses; it revealed man's sin and God's justice. Paul told us we have all sinned and fall short of God's glory, that is, we fall under His judgment (Rom 3:23). Jesus said everyone who sins is a slave to sin (Joh 8:32) and the Apostle Paul wrote we are slaves to the one we obey - either of sin, which leads to death; or of Christ which leads to righteousness (Rom 6:16). Jesus Christ brought grace and truth. If we follow Him we are no longer under judgment (Rom 6:23) and He promised we will be free if we abide in Him (Joh 8:31-32). The Jews clung to Moses and the Law though they could never keep the Law. When John wrote the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, he announced one greater than Moses was here. Moses gave the Law but Christ satisfied the Law. Martin Luther said, "The Law discovers the disease; the Gospel gives the remedy." Here is the Gospel in a nutshell: For our sake [God] made [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. [2Co 5:21 ESV]. HE HAS MADE GOD KNOWN Joh 4:23 - Jesus explained to the woman at the well, the Father is seeking those who will worship in spirit and in truth. Joh 5:19 - Jesus said He could do nothing of His own but only what He saw His Father doing, for the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing. Joh 5:36 - Jesus said the works He is doing are the works the Father sent Him to do and these works bear witness the Father sent Him. Joh 6:38 - Jesus said He came to do the will of the Father who sent Him. Joh 6:40 - Jesus said the will of the Father is everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life. Joh 6:44 - Jesus said nobody comes to Him unless the Father draws him. Mat 11:27 - Jesus said nobody knows the Father except the Son and whomever the Son will reveal Him to. Mat 22:37-38; Mar 12: He came to remind us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Joh14:10 - Jesus said He is in the Father and spoke what He saw the Father doing. Joh 17: Jesus showed us what the Father is like. page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

18 2Co 4:4; Col 1:15 - The Apostle Paul wrote Christ is the image of God. Heb 1:3 - The writer of Hebrews also wrote Christ is the express image of God. AD HOC OUTLINE JOHN 1:1-18 1) Jesus Christ is God; 2) He became flesh and dwelt among man; and 3) He revealed the Father to man. IN CLOSING The world was in darkness until the true light came to live among men. The Creator of the world is this true light. He came to His creation but they did not know Him. He set aside a nation for Himself but they did not receive Him. But to those who did receive Him, He gave the right - the power and authority - to become sons of God. You cannot get to heaven of your own choosing. You cannot get to heaven by following the Law or any religious or moral rules. Man is sinful and subject to the wrath of God. The Son of God satisfied the wrath of God by His death and resurrection. This is what "propitiation" means: Christ satisfied God' wrath for us. He paid for our sin so we can be made right with God. Only those born of God - those who have a new birth from God - can receive the Son of God. Have you received the Light? Have you received the Son of God? If not, receive Him today! page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

19 John 1: The Faithful Witness of John the Baptist And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the Prophet? And he answered, No. So they said to him, Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said. (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet? John answered them, I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even He who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie. These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, After me comes a man who ranks before me, because He was before me. I myself did not know Him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that He might be revealed to Israel. And John bore witness: I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him. I myself did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God. page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

20 THE INTERVIEW OF JOHN THE BAPTIST John the Baptist said, "He who comes after me ranks before me because He was before me." Christ was before John the Baptist, in that, He was before all time. However, as to birth in the flesh, John the Baptist was six months older than Christ. When John said, "He who comes after me" he was telling them the Christ was soon to be revealed. Unknown to him, it would be tomorrow. When John said, "because He was before me" he was speaking to rank - as he said, "because He was before me." Christ is exalted; John was the herald. In other words, John was telling his audience he is not the main show - there is a bigger show and it will be here soon. John the Baptist denied he was the Christ. These were heady days. Large crowds were following him and it would have been so easy to get caught up in the excitement and the fame. Today, we see many ministers and televangelists hogging the limelight and the glory while tipping their hats to Christ. But John the Baptist was steadfast in his resolve to proclaim Christ. He did not cling to his fame and even to his own followers he declared Christ must increase but he must decrease (Joh 3:30). Upon further questioning, John the Baptist denied being Elijah. However, Malachi described the coming of Elijah (Mal 4:5-6) and when the angel visited Zechariah before the birth of John, he used the same language to affirm his son will be the Elijah (Luk 1:17). Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers... [Mal 4:5-6 ESV]. and he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. [Luk 1:17 ESV]. Then, after John's death, Jesus, spoke of John the Baptist and affirmed John the Baptist was the Elijah who had come, but he was not recognized and they killed him (Mat 17:12). From prophecy, the angel and Jesus' testimony, we see John the Baptist was the Elijah who was to come at the time of Christ. Nonetheless, though he was the man prophesied to be the Elijah, he was not willing to take any glory for himself. His sole purpose in life was to be the voice calling in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord; the herald for the coming King (v23; Isa 40:3). THE LONG AWAITED PROPHET So now these men pressed John further, asking if he was the Prophet. In one respect, you could say John was a prophet. But this question was not about just any prophet and, once again, John would not take the glory for himself for this belonged to Christ. This was the prophet about whom Moses had spoken in Deuteronomy 18:15-19: The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers - it is to him you shall listen... [Now quoting God] And I will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com

21 And whoever will not listen to My words that He shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. [ESV]. John's answer to being the Prophet was a simple, "No." [v21]. Jesus said He was the long awaited prophet and He did nothing on His own authority but spoke what the Father told Him (Joh 8:28). Jesus Christ told the Pharisees, "If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me." [Joh 5:46 ESV]. Others testified Jesus Christ was the long-awaited Prophet of Moses' testimony. 1) "And the crowds said, 'This is the Prophet Jesus...'" [Mat 21:11 ESV]. 2) When Christ raised the widow's dead son, "Fear seized them all and they glorified God saying, 'A great prophet has arisen among us...'" [Luk 7:16 ESV]. 3) When Jesus fed the five thousand, the people affirmed He was the Prophet come into the world (Joh 6:14). 4) During the Feast of Booths, many were convinced by Jesus' teachings He was the Christ; some even declared He was the Prophet (Joh 7:40). 5) When Philip followed Christ, he went and found Nathaniel and declared, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote..." [Joh 1:45 ESV]. 6) Peter in confronting the crowds in Solomon's Portico, declared not only was Jesus the prophet of whom Moses wrote but all who reject Him will be destroyed (Act 3:22-23). The interview was almost over and they pressed John for an answer, for they could not return to the Pharisees with nothing, John told them, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." [v23 ESV]. Matthew, too, affirmed John the Baptist was the one whom Isaiah wrote about when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.' [Mat 3:3 ESV]. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God." [NKJV]. So, the interviewers were now confused: If John was not the Christ, the Elijah or the Prophet, why was he baptizing? John answered, I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even He who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie. [v26-27 ESV]. The Gospel of Matthew accounts it like this: I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear his threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." [Mat 3:11-12 ESV]. page October studyofjohn.com - questions: retrodeanj@gmail.com