John Chapter 1 B

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Quote about the Gospel of John:

  1. “Each book of the Bible has a prominent and dominant theme which is peculiar to itself. Just as each member in the human body has its own particular function, so every book in the Bible has its own special purpose and mission. The theme of the 4th Gospel is the Deity of the Savior. – A.W. Pink

He Came to His Own

Read John1:11-12 – Ask yourself:

  • Vs. 11 – Came to His own, His own people. Who were His people? Why did His own people reject Him?  
    • Isaiah 1:3, 6:10, and Isaiah 53. The parable of the “Wicked tenant farmers” are about His rejection. Matt 21:33-41
  • Vs. 12 – But all who did…He gave the right to be Children of God.
    • Are all people “Children of God”? He gave the right; you did not earn it.
    • A divine invitation – 1 John 3:1, John 6:35-37.
    • We are not Children of God by Nature. It is a sovereign action by the Father. We are given this privilege.
  • Who believed in His name…What do we as Christians believe?
    • In ancient times a person’s name is expressed in the sum of their qualities. Their nature and character. Your character was everything in the time of Jesus. We believe Jesus was fully God and fully man. Sent as a substitution for our sins, that we may know God and receive His kingdom. Not by what we did or who we are, but by the character and work of Jesus. We believe in His character and nature by which we are saved. It is more than just saying Jesus Christ.

Read John 1: 13-14 – Ask yourself:

  • Do we get to heaven by what we do? By our own will?
  • Vs. 13 – who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. By who’s will be we born again?
    • Regeneration. Reborn by the Spirit. We were dead in our trespasses. Ephesians 2:1
  • Vs. 14 – the Word (reference previous study guide to know who is the “Word”) became flesh and dwelt…
    • Dwelt means “Pitched His tent”. This not only indicates the temporary nature of Jesus on earth, but also would indicate to the early Jewish readers of the Gospel of John, ancient Israel’s tabernacle where God resided in the midst of His people.
    • What is the Old Testament definition of Tabernacle?
    • Notice it says, “dwelt among us”. Jesus lived among His people and the writer of John wrote “us”.  Not you and me. He was talking about his people. Jesus no longer is dwelling physically with us today, but in only Spirit. Jesus’ physical body was always temporary to accomplish God’s plan of redemption.  
  • Vs. 14 – and “we have seen His glory”. The writer of John saw the glory of God through miracles, and through the resurrection. The 4th Gospel is the last of the 4 Gospels. “Full of grace and truth”. Where did God first talk about His “name” (character)?
    •  Exodus 34:6 – Passing by Moses what does He proclaim?
  • Vs. 15 – Why does John the Baptizer say, “He comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me”? Reference previous study guide for who Jesus is.
    • John the Baptizer’s ministry was before Jesus’ ministry, but the Word is eternal.
  • Vs. 16 – Grace upon grace. God’s fullness is given to all born of the will of God. It means the ultimate in mercy and grace.
  • Vs. 17 – The law was given by God through a mediator named Moses to express the need for a savior. No one can follow the law perfectly. Romans 3:20. But, Jesus did, and because of that it was bestowed on us grace and truth. Grace to enter the kingdom of heaven and never taste “Death”. Truth to know what no one up until His death on a cross knew. That God revealed Himself in the form of Jesus the Christ to save His children whom He fore new. Even before the foundation of the world was established by His “Word”. Ephesians 1:4
  • Vs. 18 – Why can we not physically see God?
    • The Reformation Study Bible by Ligonier Ministry says this. “No one has ever seen God. It is fundamental that God is invisible and without form (1 Timothy 6:16). Moreover, if God were to manifest His glory in a form that we could see, His divine purity would destroy sinful humans (Ex33:20, Gen 32:30, Is 6:1-5). Yet, Christ reveals God. He brings the invisible and the visible together in a way that has no parallel or analogy.