The First Disciples John 1:35-51

Review The ministry of John the Baptizer –Was as a forerunner, preparing the way –Was to turn people back to God –Was to identify the Lamb of God –Gave testimony to Jesus as the Son of God Jn 1:35-37 –When people didn’t immediately follow Jesus, John gave his testimony again –Two of John’s disciples got the message and followed Jesus

Introduction In a previous series on the twelve apostles, we looked at this incident several times –4 of the 12 apostles begin following Jesus –Since we did cover this incident, is it worth going over again? Obviously, I thought so, since that is our lesson Review is always good Also looking at the same incident in a different way may help some lessons become clearer –Esp. since we won’t try to cover their entire lives, but just this one incident

The first two disciples Andrew is clearly named (v40) The other is presumably Philip (v43) –Some think it was John the apostle What happened that first day? –Jn 1:37-39 We don’t know any of the details They spent the remainder of the day with Jesus –It was the 10 th hour (about 4pm) Lessons: They wanted to learn more about “the Lamb of God” –They had heard John’s testimony –Now they wanted to find out for themselves

Andrew What did Andrew learn that first day? –Jn 1:40-42 With just a few hours of hearing Jesus, as well as John’s testimony, he names Jesus the Christ –“Christ” Grk. and “Messiah” Heb. Are both terms meaning “anointed” »Used in OT to refer to kings, priests, and prophets »Used in prophecy to point to the one who would come to set up God’s kingdom –Note: John the Baptizer never said that Jesus was the Christ »But by the end of the day, Andrew was convinced

Andrew and Peter In order to be so certain in such a short period of time –Andrew had to have been ready and open-minded His heart was right, that’s why he was following John the Baptizer His knowledge of who and what the Christ would be was great enough that he could be certain His certainty was enough to make him want to bring his brother –Andrew brought Peter to the source Lesson: Too often we think we need to convince someone of who Jesus is –What we need is to learn ourselves (heart and mind) –Then show our certainty and bring others to the source

Peter Actually his name was Simon –Jesus renames him Cephas (Aram. “stone”) Peter is the same name in Greek –The kind of “stone” the word refers to, is a piece broken off of a larger stone It could be a chunk of a few pounds to a boulder It was not the bedrock (petra) Why did Jesus call him a stone? –Was it his character? Hardheaded? –Was it his future? To be a piece of something greater?

Philip Jn 1:43-44 Jesus planned to return to Galilee It is where He had grown up, in Nazareth It is where Philip and Andrew both were from –They were in Bethabara at the time (v28) Why did Jesus call Philip? –Companionship? –Something He saw in Philip?

Philip and Nathanael Jn 1:45-46 –Don’t know if this occurred before the return to Galilee or after –Like Andrew, Philip had spent enough time with Jesus to have come to a similar conclusion He does not name Him the Christ here “Him of whom Moses in the Law, and also the prophets, wrote” –Could be the Prophet or the Christ »Not necessarily realizing they were the same –Like Andrew calling others to come to the source and find out for themselves

Nathanael and Philip Nathanael is a bit of a skeptic –Has a bit more knowledge of scripture perhaps Immediately points out that Nazareth is not the prophesied place for the birth of Christ –Also wasn’t the birthplace of any prophets –But didn’t let his skepticism keep him from examining Jesus for himself Lesson: Sometimes we are afraid to bring skeptics or “knowledgeable people” to the Bible –Don’t be afraid, let the Bible speak for itself

Jesus and Nathanael Jn 1:47-49 –As with Peter, Jesus immediately identifies the character of the man “an Israelite indeed in whom is no deceit” –An open and honest person, the way all God’s people should be Nathanael doesn’t dispute the characterization –In fact he agrees to it, but wonders how Jesus knew him »Philip could have told Jesus earlier –How did Jesus know Nathanael?

Jesus and Nathanael “Before Philip called you” –Not ‘when Philip called you’ Apparently an incident that occurred without anyone else’s knowledge –Perhaps Nathanael had been praying alone For Jesus said, “I saw you” –Jesus said this is how He knew Nathanael had no guile, deceit –He saw what occurred or was said –Perhaps Nathanael pouring his heart out to God and holding nothing back Nathanael immediately believes

Jesus What does Nathanael believe? Jn 1:49-51 –Jesus was the Son of God Only God could have known about what happened under the fig tree –Jesus was the King of Israel If the Son of God was here, he was Israel’s King No matter Israel’s earthly ruler, God was King The “King of Israel” was also what the Christ was expected to be, so perhaps that is included

Conclusion Jesus told Nathanael that there would be more impressive proof of His nature and titles –And he would see the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan 7:9-14) [Some think the reference was to Jacob’s vision, but that would miss the point] Jesus confirms He is the King, the Christ, the Son of God, and the Son of Man –And Nathanael would see Him seated on the throne, ministered to and obeyed by angels Do you believe in Jesus? –Will you confess that belief and obey His words?