The Apostle John has set out several themes in this preamble to his gospel . These themes are repeated throughout his book and are meant to support of his thesis (John 20:30,31). John 20:30, 31John states that his desire is that the people who read his text will believe that Jesus is the Christ. He makes no apologies for his biased. He has been with the risen Christ and knows Him.
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Here are some of the themes you will pick up in this introduction by John and throughout the rest of the book:
- The diety of Jesus
- The Word
- Creative power
- Life
- Light and Darkness
- The World
- The lack of recognition
- Do you think we can trust an account from someone like the Apostle John? Why or why not?
- John is clearly saying that the Word (Jesus) is God. As we look at John's Christology what else is John claiming is true regarding Jesus?
- In what ways do you notice that the world does not recognize Jesus (vs 10)?
- The phrase "The One and Only" is used two times by John in this passage. What do you think John is saying with that wonderful phrase?
- As we think throughout this book about the word "believe" what do you think John means when he uses it in John 20:31?
your partner in the gospel,
Pastor Paul
P.S. Congratulations to Jay K. for answering the question about the Eagle from The Gathering. Jay, I will be buying your coffee on Sunday.
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Understanding scripture and theology is definitely a weakness of mine. Church, confirmation, high school Sunday school, etc. used to be activities to do, get done with, and move on so I could play and/ or watch sports.
ReplyDeleteBut I'll give some questions a stab every once in a while, knowing that the same Holy Spirit that is available to the "intellegent" is available to me!!
It's comforting to know that the one I've placed my faith and hope in was there from the beginning. That through Him all things were made and He is the One and Only. Even John says that he is not the light, but only a witness to it, sent from God, surpassed by Christ, yet even though He comes after John, He is before John because Jesus was with God from the beginning.
2. Through Him ALL men might believe (v. 7). He give light to EVERY man (v. 9). To ALL who receive Him, believed in Him, he gave the right to become God's children (v.12).
Not only is Jesus God, but He is the Savior & Redeemer of ALL man-kind. Not just us in Grand Forks, or the Upper Midwest, etc., but to everyone.
Also, in v. 9, Jesus is the "true" light. There are many false or wrong ideas, ways, but Jesus Christ is the only way (John 14:6).
He is the One and Only- no other!!
Thanks for stepping in Quinn. Good thoughts.
ReplyDeletePFK
1. I think John should be given credibility because he was with Jesus. He is also the last Gospel, and as I read through the additional material about the Gospel of John at the beginning of this in my Bible, it noted that the other Gospels were out before his so he could read them and reference them in his Gospel. That makes me think that he took some time to ponder the time he spent with the Lord and decide what was the most important to write down. They also noted that from Acts 4:13, we learn that John is unschooled and untrained -- so for him to write the wonderful writing, there HAD to be work from the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDelete2. Quinn did a great job of outlining a lot of things already! I was also thinking that Jesus was with God in the beginning and they made EVERYTHING. And the darkness could not overpower Jesus.
ReplyDelete3. I think there are tons of examples of how the world does not recognize Jesus. As a teacher, there is definitely a fine line of what's ok to talk about and what isn't and that's too bad. The movie "Expelled" that came out in Fargo (I think) talks about teachers who have presented Creationism and are facing problems. People are so scared of offending people that we are losing freedoms.
ReplyDelete4. This question is tripping me up. I'm so excited, by the way, to read what others have noticed and found to be true in this passage! I see it in John 1:14. There it is referring to the only begotten from the Father. I think in that context it is showing that He is it. He's the one who came to save us. He is the Plan and the only way to Salvation and a relationship with the Father.
ReplyDelete5. Believe. In John 1:12, John points out that by receiving Jesus, we get the right to become children of God (wow!). I think it is interesting that it is "right to become children" not necessarily "become children". I'm wondering if that distinction is there to point out that you have to believe in God, but it can't stop there. That belief should come with a desire to know Him more and more and you have to work on your faith, not just say "yes Lord" and then go about a worldly life. And then John 1:13 continues with being born of GOD not blood or flesh or man. So believing is getting a new life in Christ.
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