Introduction (Continued)

4. THE STATED PURPOSE (Continued)
4. Key Shifts in the Gospel of John
1. The coming of His hour
1. Not yet come (John 2:4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
   See All...; John 7:30Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
   See All...; John 8:20These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
   See All...)
2. Now come (John 12:23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
   See All..., 27; John 13:1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
   See All...; John 16:32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
   See All...; John 17:1These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
   See All...)
2. The identity of “his own”
1. In John 1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
   See All..., “his own” are the Jews who reject Jesus.
2. In John 13:1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
   See All..., “his own” are the disciples who believed in Jesus.
3. Growing rejection of Jesus and His message
1. First unorganized attempt to kill Him (John 5:16-18 [16] And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. [17] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. [18] Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
   See All...)
2. First major departure of His disciples (John 6:66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
   See All...)
3. First organized attempt to seize Him (John 7:30-32 [30] Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. [31] And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? [32] The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
   See All...)
4. First organized attempt to kill Him (John 11:47-51 [47] Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. [48] If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. [49] And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, [50] Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. [51] And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
   See All..., 57)
5. Final rejection of His miracles (John 12:37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
   See All...)
5. THE DIVISIONS OF THE BOOK
1. Discovery
1. Chapters 1-4
2. He reveals Himself
1. To the disciples of John (chapter 1)
2. To the Jews of Galilee (chapter 2)
3. To Nicodemus of the Pharisees (chapter 3)
4. To the woman of Samaria (chapter 4)
2. Division
1. Chapters 5-10
2. The key word division is found three times in John (John 7:43So there was a division among the people because of him.
   See All...; John 9:16Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
   See All...; John 10:19There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
   See All...); all within this section of the book.
3. This is the time when opposition to Jesus develops and grows.
3. Denial
1. Chapters 11-12
2. Because of the resurrection of Lazarus, the Jewish council and high priest make specific plans to put Jesus to death; their rejection is final.
4. Devotion
1. Chapters 13-17
2. Jesus speaks to “his own” (John 13:1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
   See All...), not as simple servants, but as friends (John 15:15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
   See All...). Many look at this section of John as the holy of holies in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
5. Death
1. Chapters 18-19
2. Jesus is taken in judgment and is crucified.
6. Deliverance
1. Chapter 20
2. Jesus rises again from the dead in complete triumph.
7. Direction
1. Chapter 21
2. After His resurrection, Jesus gives encouragement and direction to His faithful disciples.

      Jesus Christ, the Word of God

                             John 1:1-18 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word was made 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. [15] John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. [16] And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. [17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. [18] No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
See All...

1. THE IDENTITY OF THE WORD (John 1:1-5 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
   See All...)
1. Seven References to Christ as the Word
1. In the beginning was the Word (John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   See All...).
2. The Word was with God (John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   See All...).
3. The Word was God (John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   See All...).
4. The Word was made flesh (John 1:14And the Word was made 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.
   See All...).
5. The disciples saw Him who is the Word of life (1 John 1:1-2 [1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; [2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
   See All...).
6. The Word is three in one with the Father and the Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
   See All...).
7. He who returns to earth in power is called The Word of God (Revelation 19:13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
   See All...).
8. NOTES:
1. All references to Christ as the Word are in the writings of John.
2. These references to Christ as the Word are in all three types of New Testament writings: history, teaching, and prophecy.
3. 1 John 5:7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
   See All... is a much disputed verse. Notice that if it were removed, there would no longer be seven references to Christ as the Word, but only six.
2. The Fourfold Work of the Word
1. Thought
1. A word is the most basic unit of language that expresses thought. By doing so, it declares the hidden thought of the speaker.
2. Christ, as the Word, expresses the hidden thoughts of God. The Word declared the unseen God (John 1:18No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
   See All...).
2. Revelation
1. A word opens a window to the understanding of the one speaking. It reveals his true character, personality, and intellect.
2. Christ, as the Word, revealed the true nature of God to man. The only way for man to know the Father is for the Son to reveal Him (Matthew 11:27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
   See All...). In seeing the Son, we see the Father (John 14:6-9 [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. [8] Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. [9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
   See All...). The light of the knowledge of the glory of God is seen in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
   See All...).
3. Communication
1. A word imparts knowledge and truth to the listener. Through words, we understand what someone is saying to us.
2. Christ, as the Word, makes us to understand the Father and His truth for us. The words Christ spoke were not of Himself, but of the Father (John 3:34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
   See All...; John 8:28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
   See All...; John 12:49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
   See All...; John 14:10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
   See All...; John 17:8For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
   See All...). The Father speaks to us through the Son (Hebrews 1:1-2 [1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
   See All...).
4. Transformation
1. The active listener understands the word spoken to him and is changed by the experience. He may increase his knowledge or understanding. He may change his opinion or beliefs. But, in some way, he is changed.
2. Christ, as the Word, transforms those who listen to Him. He may be rejected (John 1:10-11 [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
   See All...) or received (John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
   See All...). To receive Him as the Word is to be empowered to become the sons of God. The believer who beholds the Word will be changed into the same image they behold (2 Corinthians 3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
   See All...).
3. Seven Truths Concerning the Word (John 1:1-5 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
   See All...)
1. The eternity of the Word (John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   See All...a)
1. In the beginning
1. The beginning of creation (Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
   See All...; Hebrews 1:10And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
   See All...)
2. The beginning of God’s way (Proverbs 8:22-23 [22] The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. [23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
   See All...)
3. The beginning of beginnings (John 17:5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
   See All..., 24)
2. The Word already was; that is, He already existed (Micah 5:2But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
   See All...; John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
   See All...).
3. Therefore, He is co-eternal with the Father (Psalm 90:2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
   See All...).
2. The personality of the Word (John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   See All...b)
1. This refers to His identity as separate from the Father. He is “with God.” That is, He is the companion of the Father, alongside the Father.
2. Doctrinally, the Word, though equal to and in union with the Father, is distinct from the Father in His person. This allows Him to fellowship with the Father (John 17:24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
   See All...).
3. This establishes the plurality of the Godhead (Genesis 1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
   See All...; Genesis 11:6-7 [6] And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. [7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
   See All...; Isaiah 6:8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
   See All...; 1 John 5:7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
   See All...).
3. The deity of the Word (John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   See All...c)
1. The “Word was God.” He is one with the Father and the Spirit (John 10:30I and my Father are one.
   See All...; 1 John 5:7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
   See All...).
2. This establishes the deity of Jesus Christ.
3. This establishes the unity of the Godhead. Notice Isaiah 6:8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
   See All..., which asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” The “I” of God is equal to the “us” of the Godhead.
4. The immutability of the Word (John 1:2The same was in the beginning with God.
   See All...)
1. Immutability refers to the unchanging nature of God.
2. The “same was in the beginning with God.” The same Word who  “was God” and “was with God” is now made flesh (John 1:14And the Word was made 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.
   See All...). Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
   See All...).
3. This refutes the Mormon doctrine: “As we are, so he once was; as he is, so we may become.”
5. The creativity of the Word (John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
   See All..., 10)
1. Jesus Christ, as the Word, is the person of the Godhead who directly created all things. See Ephesians 3:9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
   See All...; Colossians 1:15-16 [15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
   See All...; Hebrews 1:2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
   See All...; Hebrews 2:9-10 [9] But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. [10] For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
   See All....
2. Jesus Christ created all things by His word (Genesis 1:3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
   See All...; Psalm 33:6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
   See All..., 9; Hebrews 11:3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
   See All...).
3. This verse (John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
   See All...) refutes the doctrine that makes Christ a created being.
6. The vitality of the Word (John 1:4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
   See All...)
1. The Word is life (John 11:25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
   See All...; John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
   See All...).
2. The Word has life in Himself (John 5:26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
   See All...; John 10:18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
   See All...).
3. The Word gives life to man (John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
   See All...; John 10:10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
   See All...).
7. The luminosity of the Word (John 1:4-5 [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
   See All...)
1. A light to men (John 1:4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
   See All...b; John 8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
   See All...; John 12:46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
   See All...)
2. A light to shine in darkness (John 1:5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
   See All...a; John 12:35-36 [35] Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. [36] While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
   See All...)
3. A light rejected by darkness (John 1:5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
   See All...b; John 3:19-20 [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
   See All...)
4. Both Christ and Scripture as the Word of God
1. Both are called the word of God.
1. Christ (John 1:1-2 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God.
   See All..., 14; Revelation 19:13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
   See All...)
2. Scripture (1 Thessalonians 2:11-13 [11] As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, [12] That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. [13] For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
   See All...; Ephesians 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
   See All...)
2. Both are called wonderful.
1. Christ (Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
   See All...)
2. Scripture (Psalm 119:129Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
   See All...)
3. Both are called truth.
1. Christ (John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
   See All...)
2. Scripture (John 17:17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
   See All...)
4. Both are called the light.
1. Christ (John 1:6-9 [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
   See All...)
2. Scripture (Psalm 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
   See All..., 130)
5. Both are called the life.
1. Christ (John 11:25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
   See All...; John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
   See All...)
2. Scripture (Philippians 2:14-16 [14] For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. [15] Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! [16] Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
   See All...)
6. Both have been tried.
1. Christ (Isaiah 28:16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
   See All...)
2. Scripture (Psalm 12:6The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
   See All...; Psalm 18:30As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
   See All...)
7. Both are a stone of stumbling.
1. Christ (1 Peter 2:6-8 [6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, [8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
   See All...)
2. Scripture (1 Peter 2:7-8 [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, [8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
   See All...)
8. Both are called precious.
1. Christ (1 Peter 2:6-7 [6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
   See All...)
2. Scripture (2 Peter 1:4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
   See All...)
9. Both are essential to the new birth.
1. Christ (1 John 5:1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
   See All...)
2. Scripture (1 Peter 1:23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
   See All..., 25)
10. Both are eternal.
1. Christ (John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   See All...)
2. Scripture (Psalm 119:89For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
   See All...; Isaiah 40:6-8 [6] The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: [7] The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. [8] The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
   See All...)
11. Notes:
1. The living Word and the written word are inseparable.
2. No one can reject the scriptures without rejecting Christ.
3. Christ as the Word can be known only through scripture as the word of God.
5. John Proves the Son to be Equal with the Father.
1. Equal in creation (John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
   See All...; Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
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2. Equal in His work (John 5:16-18 [16] And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. [17] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. [18] Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
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3. Equal in life (John 5:26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
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4. Equal in eternal existence (John 8:56-59 [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. [57] Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? [58] Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. [59] Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
   See All...; Exodus 3:14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
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5. Equal in power (John 10:27-33 [27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. [30] I and my Father are one. [31] Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. [32] Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? [33] The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
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6. Equal in glory (John 17:5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
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7. Equal in receiving worship (John 20:27-29 [27] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. [28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. [29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
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2. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE WORD BY JOHN THE BAPTIST (John 1:6-9 [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
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1. He Was Sent from God ( John 1:6-7 [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
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1. The man – John (John 1:6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
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1. God uses men.
1. He seeks for a man (Jeremiah 5:1Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
   See All...; Ezekiel 22:30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
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2. Opening words of Power Through Prayer by E. M. Bounds: “We are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan of organization. God’s plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are God’s method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. ‘There was a man sent from God whose name was John.’”
2. God takes note of certain men.
1. Job (Job 1:1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
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2. Simeon (Luke 2:25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
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3. God gave a special calling to John (Luke 1:13-17 [13] But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. [14] And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. [15] For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. [16] And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. [17] And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
   See All...; Matthew 11:7-11 [7] And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? [8] But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. [9] But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. [10] For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. [11] Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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