Digging Deep Service Tuesday 14th July, 2015

STUDIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN INTRODUCTION The book of John is the fourth of the four Gospel in the bible. Author- Apostle John(Son of Zebedee). Frequently referred to in the book as “the disciple whom Jesus loved (Jn 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 20, 24). John was very familiar with Jewish life and custom (Jn 4:9, 7:22).

He was very close to Jesus (John 19:26-27) He was the first of the disciple to believe that Jesus rose from the dead (John 20:8) and first to recognize Him at the sea of Galilee after His resurrection. (Jn 21:1-7) He along with his brother James (both intolerant / bad tempered) and Peter were members of what could be referred to as “inner circle” of apostles (Matt 17:1, Mark 5:37, Mark 14:32). He wrote the books 1st. 2nd, 3rd John and Revelation.

PURPOSE OF WRITING To reveal Jesus as the Christ, the son of God, Jehovah’s messiah (the sent one) and that by believing in Him you may have life in His name (Jn 20:31) Book is filled with accounts of events during the life and ministry of Jesus, personally witnessed by John. (John 21:11; 4:1-26; 12:1-6 etc) all, primarily, to prove that Jesus is indeed the son of God. Book records The origin of Jesus Christ(Jn 1:1,14) The doctrine of the new birth (Jn 3:13), The great and the universal love of God (Jn 3:16)

Book can be divided into the following chronological portions:- Many significant bible verses of eternal truth are taken from the book. Book can be divided into the following chronological portions:- The pre-existence of Christ (Jn 1:18) His first year of ministry (Jn 1:19, 4:54) His popularity during His 2nd year of ministry (Jn 5) The opposition against Him in His 3rd year of ministry (Jn 6:1-12) The passion week (Jn 12:12-19) The 40 days following His resurrection (Jn 20 and 21)

BEGINNING - (origin, first, the dateless past) Questions JOHN 1:1-5 “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.” BEGINNING - (origin, first, the dateless past) Questions Is the beginning of Jn 1:1 the same as that of Gen 1:1? The beginning of Jn 1:1 is earlier than the beginning of Gen 1:1, John 1:1 refers to the origin of God while Gen 1:1 refers to the origin of Man. Has God a beginning? (Heb 7:1-3) has God an end? (Is. 9:6 and Mal. 3:6, Heb. 13:8) God is eternal, without beginning or end.

3. What other things are eternal. (Ecl. 12:7, Psal 102:26, Prov 3. What other things are eternal? (Ecl. 12:7, Psal 102:26, Prov. 27:20)Some of the things eternal are you, the generation of the righteous, heaven and hell. 4. - Some of the things that happened in the beginning (Heb 1:10, Psalm 102:25, Job 38:4-7) In the beginning, God drew the plans and laid the foundation of the world and there was great rejoicing in heaven.

- Some of the things that happened in the beginning of the beginning (Rom 16:25-26, Eph 3:1-6, Eph 3:8, Col. 1;25, 26) In the beginning of beginning, God arranged a mysterious things and kept it hidden for ages. This is that :- (i) there will be Jews and Gentiles, (ii) Gentiles (you and I) can be heirs of God (iii) to have Christ is to be unspeakably rich and (iv) only those who have Christ shall be glorified.

5. How many beginnings are there? Many beginnings amongst which are :– (i)when you were born, (ii)when you are born again (saved). John 3:3-6, (iii)when the church of God was born (Acts 2:1-4), (iv)and when Christ returns (Is. 65:17-25). CONCLUSION The return of Christ brings a new era of unsurpassed Joy and peace in God’s kingdom for the true Christians. It will also mark the beginning of sorrow for non-Christians. Which beginning will you opt for?