The Gospel of John

1. The Gospel of John Overview “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name”John 20:31

2. Jesus asked His disciples the following question … “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Matt. 16:13

3. Who was this John? • John identified himself as “the disciple Jesus loved” John 13:23, 19:26 • He and his brother James (Acts 12:2) were known as.. • “sons of Zebedee” (Matt 10:2-4) • “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17) • John was an eyewitness to Christ earthly ministry (1 John 1:1-4) • He was a pillar of the Jerusalem church (Gal. 2:9) 23Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. (John 13:23) 26When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” (John 19:26) 9and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (Gal. 2:9)

4. Who was this John? • He ministered alongside Peter (Acts 3:1) • Tradition tells us John went to Ephesus prior to the destruction of Jerusalem where he wrote this book • From Ephesus the Romans exiled John to Patmos where he wrote the Book of the Revelation (Rev 1:9) • John probably wrote this book after Matt, Mark, and Luke but prior to 1-3 John and Revelation. Probably around AD 80-90 1Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. (Acts 3:1)

5. Theme of Gospels • Each writer of the Gospels had their own focus • Matthew • Wrote to his fellow Jews. He declares that Jesus is the fulfillment of O.T. prophecies • Mark • Wrote to the Romans. He declares that Jesus is the Servant ministering to the needy • Luke • Wrote to the Greeks. He declares that Jesus is the sympathetic Son of Man • John • Wrote to both the Jews and the gentiles. He declares that Jesus is the Son of God

6. Jesus is God • He dwelled with God before time (1:1,2) • He is God who made all things (1:3-4) • He is the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth (1:14) • He manifested His glories on earth (2:11) • He has the power of life (2:19)

7. Jesus is God • His loving Father gave all things into His hand (3:35) • The Son quickens whom He will and all judgment is given to Him (5:21-23) • He was the “I am” before Abraham (8:58) • He is one with the heavenly Father (10:30) • If you have seen Christ you have seen the Father (14:9)

8. John declares the Church – the family of God • John alone introduces the “new birth” as the only way to enter into the family of God (1:11-13) • In John we see the rapture of the saints to heaven to be with Him in a place prepared by Him (14:2-3) • Here John declares we are “born of the Spirit” (3:5) who Christ declares is our “comforter/advocate” (14:16) who abides with us forever (14:16) • Only John records Christ high priestly prayer where Christ asked the Father in Ch 17 …. “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2“as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him….. 20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; .......22“And the glory which You gave MeI have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: The other three gospels connects Christ to the Jews through flesh …. But John declares Christ is only known by believers through the Spirit

9. John’s explained Jewish concepts to Gentiles • John would often interpret Jewish words or customs for his readers • “Rabbi (which is interpreted Master)” John 1:38 • “called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone” John 1:42 • John would also spend considerable time showing Christ as a fulfillment of O.T. types • He is the Lamb of God (1:29) • He is the ladder from heaven to earth (1:51) • He is the serpent lifted up (3:14) • He is the bread of life from heaven (6:35)

10. John added Information to Events in the first 3 gospels for clarification • Matt/Mark picks up Christ ministry in Galilee (Matt 4:12, Mark 1:4) • Mark 6:45 says Jesus compelled the disciples to go to the other side of Galilee • John adds that Jesus prior to Galilee was in Judea (Ch 3) and Samaria (Ch 4) • John explains why; the people were about to make Jesus King (John 6:26) 12Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. (Matt 4:12) 9It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (Mark 1:9) 23Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. (John 2:23) 22After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 3:22 45Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. (Mark 6:45)

11. John’s Theological Elements • The Holy Spirit (14:16, 17:26, 16:7-14) • Evangelistic (20:31) • John used “believe” about 100 times • He indicated that by believing you would receive “eternal life” • Apologetic • Christ is Messiah (1:4, 4:25-26) • Christ is Savior (3:16,17) • He is eternal God (8:58) • Jesus presented Himself with 7 “I am” • Bread of Life (6:35) • Light of the world (8:12) • Door of the sheep (10:7,9) • Good Shepherd (10:11,14) • Resurrection and life (11:25) • Way, truth, Life (14:6) • True Vine (15:15)

12. Who is Jesus according to those that saw Him? • His Disciples (Mark 4:41) • The one the wind and sea obey • Others (Matt. 16:14) • John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, prophet • Scribes & Pharisees (Luke 5:21) • The one who speaks blasphemies • Pharisees (Luke 7:49) • The one who forgives sin! • Herod (Luke 9:9) • This man that I hear such things • Pilate (Luke 23:3-6) • King of the Jews