2. In the Beginning Was the Word
Gospel of John Series
John 1:1-3
© May 19, 2019
Pastor Paul K. Kim 2

3. INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
1) Author and Background
The author is John, the son of Zebedee (i.e., the apostle John), who was referred to as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (13:23). John also wrote 1-3 John and Revelation. Written after the three synoptic Gospels, John likely wrote his Gospel between A.D. 70 and A.D. 100.
John’s originally intended audience was both Jews and Gentiles living in the Greco-Roman world toward the close of the first century A.D. John’s central aim in his account is to show that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah [the Christ], the Son of God, and that by believing in him people may have eternal life.

4. INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
2) Purpose and Theme Verses
The purpose is clearly spelled out in the theme verses, John 20:30-31.
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so 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 had a twofold purpose: (1) that the readers may know Jesus Christ as the Son of God and have eternal life (saving faith) and; (2) that the readers may also grow into a rich, well-informed faith (abundant life).

5. INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
2) Distinctive Characteristics
Key Differences from the Synoptic Gospels [Matthew, Mark, & Luke]

6. Key Differences from the Synoptic Gospels [Matthew, Mark, & Luke]*
The Gospel of John
Focus more on WHAT Jesus taught and did
The earthly story
Emphasizes Jesus’ humanity [Son of David, Son of Man]
Jesus’ saying is generally short (e.g., parables)
Begins with Jesus’ birth/genealogy or baptism (chronological)
Focus more on WHO Jesus is
The heavenly meaning
Emphasizes Jesus’ deity [Son of God]
More of long discourses of Jesus (e.g., “I am” statements)
Begins with the creation and Jesus’ identity (doctrinal)
* Adapted from Jensen, Irving. Jensen's Survey of the New Testament, 1981.

7. INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
2) Distinctive Characteristics
Key Differences from the Three Synoptic Gospels
Written for: ALL (Non-Christians and Christians as well as Jews & Gentiles)
Unique Benefits: Offers not only an easy-to-understand account for unbelievers/ new believers but also spiritual depth for growing believers (e.g., Trinity of God, Sovereignty of God, Election of God, etc.)
The Gospel of John is shallow enough for a child to wade in, and deep enough for an elephant to swim in. Alan Redpath

8. INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
3) Overview and Structure
An Overview
Prologue (1:1-18)
Public Ministry: Jesus’ Self-Disclosure to Israel (1:19-12:50)
Private Ministry: Jesus’ Self-Disclosure to His Disciples (13:1-20:31)
Epilogue (21:1-25)

9. INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
3) Overview and Structure
The Seven Signs by Jesus
Sign #1: Water to wine (2:1-11)
Sign #2: Healing an official’s son (4:46-54)
Sign #3: Healing the paralytic (5:1-9)
Sign #4: Feeding the thousand (6:1-15)
Sign #5: Walking on Water (6:16-21)
Sign #6: Healing a man born blind (9:1-12)
Sign #7: Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-16)

10. INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
3) Overview and Structure
The Seven “I AM” Statements by Jesus
I AM #1: Bread of Life (6;35,48)
I AM #2: Light of the World (8:12)
I AM #3: Door (10:6,9)
I AM #4: Good Shepherd (10:10)
I AM #5: Resurrection and the Life (11:25-26)
I AM #6: The Way, the Truth and the Life (14:6)
I AM #7: True Vine (15:5)

11. INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
3) Overview and Structure
The Suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus
Anointing of Jesus’ Feet (12:1–11)
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (12:12–19)
Jesus Predicts His Death (12:20–36)
Belief and Unbelief among the Jews (12:37–50)
Farewell discourses and prayer (chap 13–17)
Betrayal and Arrest (18:1–11)
Trials before Jewish and Roman officials (18:12–40)
Crucifixion, death, and Burial (19:1–42)
Resurrection and reinstatement of the disciples (chap 20-21)

12. INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
3) Key Themes
Jesus is God: He existed before the creation of the world, and he has supernatural knowledge. He fulfills the Jewish festivals and institutions. As the sent Son of God, he reflects the Sender. Signs and witnesses demonstrate that he is the Messiah.
The Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit are united in their work of revelation and redemption.
Salvation and Eternal Life: God is sovereign in salvation. Jesus’ death is the basis of salvation, which is obtained through believing in the living Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus is the giver of eternal life.
Mission: Believers are called to continue Jesus’ mission.

13. FOUR WAYS THAT JOHN INTRODUCES JESUS AS GOD
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (vs. 1-3)
1) “In the beginning”: Jesus’ preexistence as the uncreated being.
Jesus has no beginning because he was not created.
The essence of Divinity is that God is Uncreated Being.

14. When we try to focus our thought upon One who is pure uncreated being, we may see nothing at all, for He dwelleth in light that no man can approach unto. Only by faith and love are we able to glimpse Him as he passes by our shelter in the cleft of the rock The human mind, being created, has an understandable uneasiness about the Uncreated. We do not find it comfortable to allow for the presence of One who is wholly outside of the circle of our familiar knowledge. We tend to be disquieted by the thought of One who does not account to us for His being, who is responsible to no one, who is self-existent, self-independent, and self-sufficient.
A. W. Tozer

15. FOUR WAYS THAT JOHN INTRODUCES JESUS AS GOD
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (vs. 1-3)
2) “. . . was the Word”: Jesus’ identity as the Eternal Word.
Jesus is the Word [Gk. Logos]-–not just logic or concept but as the very God’s self-expression and sustaining force in this universe.
The Word in OT is God’s revelation of himself (“The word of the LORD came to the prophet…”).

16. FOUR WAYS THAT JOHN INTRODUCES JESUS AS GOD
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (vs. 1-3)
3) “The Word was with God and was God’’: Jesus’ deity as the Triune God.
The Word [Jesus] was with God, which means communion with the Father.
Yet the Word was God, which means Jesus is fully God.

17. FOUR WAYS THAT JOHN INTRODUCES JESUS AS GOD
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (vs. 1-3)
4) “All things were made through him ’’: Jesus’ making of all things as the Creator.
All things were created by Jesus, which means God created the world through God.
Nothing is created without Jesus—he is the Source and Lord of all things!

18. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  Colossians 1:16-18

19. THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE
What do you like most about the Gospel of John from this introduction? What do you look forward to most in this new series?
Who is Jesus Christ? What would it mean for you to think rightly about Jesus according to these opening three verses of John’s Gospel?
How will you respond to Jesus, knowing the essence and power of his identity? What is your first step?