JOHN: An Introduction & Overview See the final slide for resources
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview 1.Who was the Author? 2.When was it written? 3.Where was it written? 4.Why was it written?
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview 5.John’s Declared Purpose (John 20:30-31 NIV) Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} 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.
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview John’s Declared Purpose (cont.) “that you may have life in Jesus’ name” “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” “These are written that you may believe” Pattern: Testimony => response => result
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview 6.A Few Key Words 6.1 Sign (x17) “But these (signs) are written” Turning the water into wine (Jn 2) Healing the royal official’s son (Jn 4) Feeding the multitude (Jn 6) Healing the blind man (Jn 9) Raising the dead (Jn 11)
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview A Few Key Words (cont) 6.2 Witness (x21) “These are written...” Chapter 1 – John Baptist Chapter 20 – Thomas Chapters 2-19 – 13 other people or groups. e.g. 1/41 Andrew 1/45 Philip 1/49 Nathanael
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview A Few Key Words (cont) 6.3 Believe (x96) “... that you might believe” To believe or to NOT believe that Jesus is the Messiah To receive life or to remain in death
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview (John 11:15 NIV) and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." (John 11:25 NIV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; (John 11:26 NIV) and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview (John 11:27 NIV) "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.“ (John 11:40 NIV) Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:42 NIV) I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview (John 11:45 NIV) Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. (John 11:48 NIV) If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview A Few Key Words (cont) 6.4 Life (x31) “and that by believing you may have life in his name” “I am the bread of life “I am the way the truth and the life “I am the resurrection and the life “I give (my sheep) eternal life
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview 7.Conclusion Jesus was either what he claimed to be – God the Son, or he was a madman. We ALL make a choice as to what we will believe
JOHN: An Introduction & Overview RESOURCES Very brief: “Pocket guide to the New Testament” by Francis Foulkes ; IVP Brief: New Bible Commentary Revised; “John” by Donald Guthrie; IVP More extensive: The Expositor’s Bible Commentary - Vol 9; “The Gospel of John” by Merrill C. Tenney; Zondervan Very extensive: NICNT “The Gospel according to John” by Leon Morris; Eerdmans