I love the book of Johns gospel. I thought I would make a study out of what I find as I read through it.
It's so important that we ask question of the text. John wants us to know Christ from the beginning and even before that. Discovery, is the word that comes to mind as we look at the word of God in the writings of John.
I may also include other texts to support my findings believing that this is the only sound way to establish truth. Please note these are just observational notes and sometimes may skip verses or go over the same verses a few times. I hope you the reader will be encouraged. Sorry if the grammar is not too good.
verses 1 to 8
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 nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Gen 1, Col 1 are key passages to support these opening verses.
What do we find then?
The word: was in the beginning
was with God
was God
He ( a person) was in the beginning with God.
Genesis 1:1 says "IN the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Right from the outset we learn God and the word are one and the same. That God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. In Col 1:12-18 we read that the son (in whom those believing have redemption though His blood for the forgiveness of sins) is the image of the invisible God the firstborn over all creation. All things where created by Him. In heaven and that are on the earth.
There is just too much here to make further notes. But it's explicitly clear. God is the the word and the son. It has also got to be said that as it was the spirit of God that hovered over the face of the deep (or waters) Gen 1:2.
Some points to clear up The word of God defines God as one God but who is three. Father, Son- word and Spirit. Before the world was God has always been God, He is pre-existent and eternal. If God had a beginning He would not be God.
John 1:9-14
That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.And the Word became 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.
In verse 14 we read that the word became flesh. Yes God became man. The man He became was Jesus. The accounts of Jesus's conception and birth are found in Matthew, Mark and Luke.
in Matt 1:18-25 we read that the son was conceived by the holy spirit, His name would be Jesus, Immanuel meaning "God with us" Jesus is not just a name, it's who God is Jesus means Saviour. Hence Paul the apostle writes "God sent His son into the world to save sinners."
Jehovah's witnesses twist these verses to suggest that Jesus was the first to born of the creation. Not the creator of it. This implies He is not eternal and also that He must therefore be less than almighty God. No Jesus is not the Father. The Father is Spirit.
verse 15 John the disciple speaking of John the baptist says this is the one before. Here John knows He (Jesus) is the chosen on, the Messiah, the one preferred before, the saviour, God (the word) manifested incarnate.
16-17 In connection with us vs 14 and all that God is, grace -truth and all the fullness of God.
18. God is Spirit, a consuming fire. His countenance is bright light. His face unapproachable. See Ex 33:17-23 God revealed His glory to Moses.
19-26 Pharisees wanted to inquire who John the baptist was. The old testament speaks (prophetically of the messiah-chosen one. He would be king of Israel from the throne of David. This means Jesus the son of God would have to be born from the same line as Jesse, and David which He was. see Isaiah 11:1; 11:10, Jeremiah 23:5, Matt 1. John 4:22 says " Salvation is of the Jews." So this would also be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. see Numbers 24:17
verse 24 John the baptist is asked.
“Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”
These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.28 Note vs 15,27,30 repeat phrase "this is He whom etc see Col 1:13-18
29 Jesus = the Lamb of God See Ex 12, Rev 5, Rev 7:13-17,13:8
What does the lamb come to do? " He takes away the sins of the world"
30 "This is the one" John makes the point, this is the one he spoke about.
31 John the baptist says "I did not know him". but by John baptizing with water, Jesus would be made known to Israel.
God had sent this man John (in the likeness of Elijah) to prepare the way in the wilderness for the messiah to come. John would baptize with water and Jesus would come to give new life by the Holy Spirit.
