John the Baptist – benedictionofandrew

The Gospel of John is Jesus is God Pt 3

This time I pick up were I left off on the walk through the Book of John. We are now 2/3rds of the way through the first chapter. In this time we have learned of God, the Word and John the baptist.

We learned that God is unknown unless through the Word who was their in the Beginning and is in fact God. We have learned the Word became flesh who is Jesus. We also learned that John the baptist was not the Messiah but a witness to the Messiah that was to prepare the way.

One other interesting thing John shows us in the first part of Chapter 1 is the 3 parts of God that make the Trinity. We see it on display in scripture. We see God the Father called God in verse 1 of Chapter 1, We see the Son called the Word in this chapter. John the baptist then introduces us to the third. The Holy Ghost shown to rest on Jesus at his baptism signifying that infact he is the person John the baptist was to prepare the way for.

Now it is time however to Look towards the first disciples.

John chapter 1 verses 35-51 (kjv)

35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

We see John is standing the day after Jesus baptism and two of John the baptists disciples are with him.

36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

John around his two Disciples declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God which is the person John has been saying all along he is preparing the way for.

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Well when his two disciples hear John they immediately decided in their hearts to follow Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

Here Jesus asks them simply what do the seek. or Why are they following him. They called him essentially master and asked where he lived which makes it very clear they had decided to follow him.

39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

Here Jesus tells them to follow him to his home. So they came and stayed with him that day.

40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

We are told one of the two was Andrew who was brother to Simon better known as Peter. The other is generally assumed by many people to have been the Apostle John who wrote this book. This is mostly due to how chapter 1 is narrated starting at John the Baptists as if being witnessed and retold by the author.

41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

We find the first thing Andrew does is find his brother and says come see the Messiah or Christ for we have found him.

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Here Simon meets Jesus and is told who he is and that he will be called Cephas or as we know him today Peter. (Note: Peter comes from Petros meaning a stone in Greek. As Greek not Aramaic was the language of scribes all New Testament texts we use were recorded in Greek so we tend to see greek words over the Aramaic words when reading the New Testament books.)

43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Here we are told Jesus looks for Philip and tells him to follow.

44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

We are told Philip is from the same city as Andrew and his brother now being called Peter

45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Philip promptly finds a man called Nathanael and tells him they have found the Christ.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Here Nathanael is a little questioning if such a thing could be true.

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

These verse can be a little odd to the reader. As Jesus welcomes Nathanael saying he is not gullible. Nathanael asks how does Jesus know him like must people might when someone you never met before suddenly greets you like they have always known you.

Here we are told Jesus saw him under the fig tree before Philip called.

Note: My study bible notes say that meditating under a fig tree is favored by Jews and that this might very will have been Jesus referencing a specific meditation and prayer concerning the Messiah Nathanael was doing earlier due to how Nathanael responds next.

49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

The response is Nathanael declares Jesus Rabbi and that he is truly the Son of God and King of Israel all questions of doubt are removed and he is now a follower.

50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Jesus responds that you belive simply because I saw you under the tree? Well if you follow me I am going to show you much greater things then this and as we see later in this book Jesus was very true in that statement.

51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Here Jesus references Jacobs Ladder saying that soon they will see that Jacobs Ladder which was a pathway from the earth to God in heaven is infact the Son of man. As we are told earlier in the chapter only through Jesus do we see and know the Father. This is a very fitting image when you stop to think about it as we are told Jesus the Son of man is the pathway to God.

Conclusion:

With that we have reached the end of chapter 1. We see once again the deity aspects of Jesus shown. We see John declare him the Lamb of God he gathers his first followers and he makes his first declaration to be the Way to Eternal life and a relationship with God. Next we will see Jesus go to a wedding in Cana and do his first miracle.

The Gospel of John is Jesus is God! Part II

When last we talked about the Gospel of John we covered roughly just under a third of chapter 1. Stopping right before John talks about the Testimony of John the Baptist.

John chapter 1 19-34

19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

Here we are told that the following is a Record of John the baptist from when the Sanhedrin which serve as judges over the Jews and if the laws of God are being obeyed. At this time their were claims that John might be the Messiah or a Prophet of old.

20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

So When asked if he is the Savor he says he is not.

21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

So now they ask well then are you a Prophet. His response again is no I am not.

22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

So now since he has denied the accusations of what he is they need some answer. So they beg him for an answer. Here we see the humility of John the baptist he rather then describe himself instead puts it into relation of his Message and makes it about God. He tells them he is a messenger a voice crying out and making the way ready for the Lord or Messiah as was said by the prophet Esaias.

24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

So now they wish to know why is he baptizing if he is not the Messiah or a Prophet. As only a Prophet or other authority was allowed to baptize in Jewish law.

26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Here John once again rather then talking about himself instead makes it about God. That he is baptizing with water, but out their someone not yet reviled is the Messiah and while he will come after him. He existed before him and is so great John is not even worth to tie his sandals or shoe. We are then told were this conversation happened.

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

Then the day after this happens we see Jesus has come to John. John the Baptist declares him to be the Lamb of God, who will take sin away from the world.

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

Until this point he only knew of Jesus as his cousin and it had not been shown to John he was in fact the Son of God. That only happened now that he was baptizing Jesus that it was shown.

32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

John again declares I saw the Spirit. (that is the Holy Spirit) Descend from heaven like a dove and that it rested upon Jesus.

33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Now John further explains the significance of what he said earlier. For he did not know who the Messiah was only that he was sent by God to baptize with water. Also that God said to him upon who thou shalt see the Holy Spirit descending, and remaining on is the same who will baptize with the Holy Ghost.

So here we see Jesus is shown to John the Baptist who was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah that Jesus in fact is the Messiah.

Gospel of John is that Jesus is God! (part 1 of chapter 1)

(Author Note: As this is the first time I posted a Bible Study topic let me give a quick explanation on it. Every week or so I will post something separate from my daily psalm posts. These readings go into heavy detail about certain scriptures and books of the Bible in hopes to educate the significance and importance of them.)

Before I talk about John and give you the introduction of my most favorite verse in the entire bible.(Which is John ch 1 verse 1.) I wish to give a brief lesson on what the Word Gospel means. As well as why Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John are called Gospels. I also wish to talk on why we have 4 books telling the same events roughly. This is going to be a bit wordy before we even get started so please entertain my ramblings as you might learn something new and this will help when talking about the other 3 when I get to them.

Well let’s start with what Gospel is. Gospel comes from the Greek noun “euangelion” and its verb form “euangelizo.”The noun means simply “Good News”; the verb form means to “bring the Good News.” So when someone says they bring the Gospel they are saying they are bringing the Good News. The 4 Gospels Mathew, Mark, Luke and John are actually the Gospels according to Mathew or Mark or Luke or John. Which simply means for example the Gospel According to John is the Good News According to John.

So Now that we have covered what Gospel means what is the News that keeps getting stated as being Good? The Good news is Jesus came to the earth and then died for all of us so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

The 4 Gospels are the story of His time on the earth each Gospel also covers a deferent aspect of Jesus personality or nature. This is a somewhat advanced subject that would be its own post by itself so I will go more in depth in a permanent page on the side Titled “The 4 aspects of Jesus” in the future.

So lets Start with what I personally consider the most powerful declaration in the bible.

John Chapter 1 verse 1 (kjv)

1. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word Was God.

This is in my mind the most amazing phrase ever uttered in describing the Divine nature of God. We are simply told at the start of everything was the Word. That the Word was with God and not only that but the Word is also God. That is a very big thing to try and grasp and we are not even to verse 2 yet which will add another amazing fact of the Word.

John ch 1 verse 2-3 (kjv)

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Ok, so now in verse 2 were told God was the same as the Word meaning you can take everything in verse 1 and replace the mentions of Word with God and

God with Word as it is the something. We are further told in verse 3 that all things in creation made by God were also made through the Word. Thus confirming what was stated in verse 1 and confirmed in verse 2 that the Word and God are the same. This also tells us that the Word knows everything for everything was made through the Word. We are also told in these verse with the use of him the Word is a person.

John ch 1 verse 4-5

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.

So now in verse 4 him is the Word and the Word was life. We are also told life was the light of men. Which means by extension the Word is also the light of men. Since the Word is God, God is also the light of men.

Verse 5 tells us the Light shines in the darkness but darkness can not comprehend it. This is salvation that through the Word which is God life can be found but the evil of the world can not understand it.

(Author note: This is why Jesus says you must be born again for with out being born again we can not come to truly understand the Light shining in the darkness. We can see it and it calls out for us but we can’t comprehend it tell we accept it.)

John chapter 1 verse 6-8

6 There was man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that light but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Now we are introduced to John not the John who wrote this Gospel but to John the baptist the voice in the wilderness crying out. We are told he was sent by God to tell us about the Light so that we may believe and be able to comprehend it and thus be saved. We are told he is not the light who is The Word that is God but simply a witness to the Light so that we may know it. Now 9 well pick up talking about the Light John is witnessing so lets go on.

John chapter 1 verse 9-11

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own and his own received him not.

In verse 9 we see that the Light, John the baptist is witnessing about is the true light, otherwise stated the only way to life which is God. Further we are told the light bring light or life to every man that comes into the world. These means the Word is to once again bring life and salvation to all of mankind that has ever lived past, present and future.

Verse 10 tells us the Word was in the world since the beginning and once again we are reminded that the Word made the world. We are also told the world does not know him.

verse 11 tells us He came to his own people. Well who is God’s people? That would be the sons of Abraham through Issac and then through Jacob the Hebrews. We are also told that the Hebrews rejected the Word when He came to them.

John chapter 1 verse 12-13

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

13 Which were born not of flesh, blood, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Here is another one of chapter 1 mind blowing statements that we all should pay attention to. Verse 12 is telling us that As many as which means who ever receives will be given the power to become son of God. I invite the reader to think for a few minutes on the statement of God saying if you believe in the Word which is him he will make you a son of God. All you have to do is believe on his name.

Verse 13 tells us the sons of God who are made this way are not born of flesh and blood, nor by their own doing but only by God. This is what is meant by the statement born again. Which is what verse 12 and 13 talk about.

Now we get verse 14 another really powerful statement to the Good news according to John.

John ch 1 verse 14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

So now we are told something new about the Word that it became flesh. Further that it lived amongst mankind. That mankind specifically his followers which include the writer of this Gospel John. Saw his glory. Now what glory is it? Well it says the glory of being the only begotten of the Father or God. So now the Word is not only God but also the Son of God for it became flesh. The Word that became flesh we are also told was full of glory, grace and truth.

(Author’s note: here is the meaning of Glory, Grace, and Truth

Glory: meaning high renown or honor, as well as magnificence; great beauty.

Grace: the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

Truth: that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.)

John ch 1 verse 15-18

15 John bare witness of and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

16 And of his fullness have all received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Now verse 15 focuses on John the baptist. It tells us what he said when referencing to Jesus Christ. That this is the person who he was speaking about. That would come after but is ranked higher then him or more preferred. He also says that Jesus Christ was before him referencing that Jesus is the Word given flesh.

Verse 16 tells us that Through him, that is Jesus, we receive grace.

Verse 17 is to remind us that the Law is given by Moses but only grace and truth can come from Jesus Christ. We are only saved and shown the true nature of God through Jesus. This is what verse 17 is saying. Truth and grace does not come from the law like many of the Hebrews believed at the time.

Verse 18 tells us that none of us have seen God at anytime only the Begotten Son which is the Word given flesh who is with God can declare the truth of God.

I should point out here a Christin who has come to know Jesus if you know Jesus then you know the Father for only by the Word given flesh who is the Christ can we know God. As was stated in John chapter 1 the Word is the only true Light of the world.

(Closing Author Note: I am going to break Chapter One of John into three sections. This is the end of part 1 The explanation of the Word.

Part 2 well cover John the Baptist and his baptizing of Jesus.

Part 3 well cover the recruiting of the first disciples. I will post links to the respective parts here at the bottom as they are made.)

Maranatha!