1. Step By Step Through the New Testament Rev. Christopher J. Respass Antioch Bible Institute Fall 2013 Lesson 16 John: Prolegomena & Characteristics

2. I.General A. The Gospel of John is not a Synoptic Gospel. John includes accounts that are not included in Matthew, Mark or Luke. Where the Synoptics primarily focused on events, John adds some explanation regarding the significance of those events. John: Prolegomena

3. B. Emphasizes the Person of Christ. John presents Jesus as God’s son using seven miraculous signs: 1. Changing water to wine (2:1-11) 2. Healing an official’s son (4:46-54) 3. Healing a paralyzed man (5:1-9) 4. Feeding the 5,000 (6:1-15) John: Prolegomena

4. (7 signs cont’d) 5. Walking on water (6:16-21) 6. Healing the man born blind (9:1-41) 7. Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:38- 44) John: Prolegomena

5. C. Awareness of Theology. John presents information from a sound, doctrinal position. D. Simplicity. The Gospel of John is written in a simple, common style. John: Prolegomena

6. E. Instructional. Written to 2 nd /3 rd generation Christians who were attempting to refute false teachers. F. Persuasive. John helps the reader determine that Jesus is God. John: Prolegomena

7. II.Authorship A. John, the brother of James, is the author. 1. Written by the “disciple who Jesus loved” (John 13:3, 20:2, 21:7, 20) a) Inner Circle: Peter, James, John (Matt. 10:2, Matt. 17:1) b) Peter was mentioned in the 3 rd person (John 13:23-24) John: Prolegomena

8. c) James was already martyred by the time this was written (Acts 12:2) B. Author was Jewish and knew intimate details about Jesus and his activity. a) wrote in a Jewish style and knew the geography of the holy land, Jerusalem and the temple. John: Prolegomena

9. b) Knew minor details about events in Jesus ministry (e.g., the fragrance of Mary’s perfume (John 12:3)). c) Knew Jesus’ impressions and thoughts about certain events (John 6:6, 61, 64). C. Early Church Fathers agreed that the Apostle John was the author. John: Prolegomena

10. III.Date of John Many scholars date this gospel between 85- 90 AD. IV.Theme & Purpose John’s purpose in writing the gospel was to persuade the reader to believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 20:30-31). John: Prolegomena

11. V.Special Characteristics of John A. Emphasized the Judean ministry and shows that Jesus’ ministry lasted about 3 years (John 2:13, 6:4, 12:1). B. Records many of Jesus’ significant speeches. 1. Nicodemus (John 3:1-21) 2. Woman at the Well (John 4:1-26) John: Prolegomena

12. C. Emphasizes the Deity of Jesus 1. Pre-existent (John 17:5) 2. Accepting of Worship (John 20:28) 3. Equal with God (John 1:1-14) John: Prolegomena