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New Testament Survey
Lesson Five

John

The Gospel of John is the basis of our chronology of the life of Christ. John records things in their historical sequence.

1. There are 21 Chapters in the Book of John.

2. The book was written by the Apostle John, who was known as the beloved disciple. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of James. He was one of the twelve and included in the inner circle of three - Peter, James and John.

3. The book was written probably around A.D. 40 or perhaps as early as A.D. 35. There is no general acceptance of the earlier date; some put its writing as late as A.D. 140, the more common date being in the A.D. 90s. However, these later dates would make John extremely old or require an author other than the Apostle John.

4. The date of writing has a bearing on the place from which it is believed to have been written. If the date is A.D. 35, then it would have been written from Jerusalem. The book's content suggests that the Church had been in existence for a few years. Most scholars believe that it was written from Ephesus.

5. John wrote the Gospel for the church as a whole.

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Theme

The theme of the Book is Jesus as God, the Servant and Messiah of Yahweh.

Christ

Christ is depicted as the Son of God, with His deity emphasized. There are seven I Am's or seven word signs in John:

1. Bread of Life 6:35
2. Light of the World 8:12
3. Door 10:9
4. Good Shepherd 10:11
5. Resurrection and Life 11:25
6. Way, Truth and Life 14:6
7. Vine 15:1

Key Words

The key word is Believe [98], which is sometimes translated as 'trust' or 'commit'. Other key words are 'witness' and 'Father'.

Key Verse

Jn.10:10 The 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.

Jn. 20:30,31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: (31) But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

Purpose

1. The main purpose of the Gospel of John is to show that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

2. Another purpose would be to provide a theological base to defend the church against gnosticism.

3. It was written to show that a personal relationship with Christ is essential to our walk with God.

4. It provides a warning against formalizing our experience and shows that we require a living relationship, or we will miss the revelation of God.

Events And Characters

1. John begins with a statement of who Christ is; he does not deal with genealogy but with His divine nature. He then records the turning of water into wine. He shows Him in Capernaum and Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, He cleanses the temple and speaks of His death and resurrection. Many believe in him because of His miracles. Jesus shows the necessity of regeneration, which is the work of the Spirit received in faith. The story of the woman at the well shows Him relating to those despised to bring the Gospel.

2. Jesus demonstrates His Lordship over the sabbath by healing on that day. This angers the religious leaders, and He rebukes them. Declares the Father. John the Baptist and Scripture verify who He is. He feeds the 5000, walks on water and declares He is the bread of life. Many forsake him, unable to accept His words. Judas is revealed as evil.

3. Jesus goes to the feast at Jerusalem and teaches in the temple. The Jews are divided because of Him; the Pharisees try to arrest Him and are angry when their officers return without Him. Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery and declares His divinity to the Jewish leaders, and hides Himself when they attempt to kill Him. The man born blind stands healed and stands against the religious leaders, and comes to confess Christ. Jesus shows Himself to be the poor and good Shepherd. His works show that He is the Son of God. He raises Lazarus from the dead, and many believe in Him because of it. He must hide Himself as the Jews seek to kill Him.

4. Mary anoints His feet. He rides into Jerusalem triumphantly, and the Greeks seek to see Him. The Jews are blinded even as He calls for them to believe in Him. Jesus demonstrates service by washing the disciples' feet, and He commands them to love one another. He comforts His disciples, showing He is the way, promises them the Holy Spirit and leaves His peace with them. Their prayers in His name are heard, the Holy Spirit will be with them, and in the world they will have tribulation, but in Him they have peace.

5. Jesus offers His High Priestly prayer. Judas betrays him, and Peter wields the sword, cutting off Malchus's ear, which Jesus immediately heals. Jesus is taken to Annas and Caiaphas, and Peter denies Him. Jesus is brought before Pilate. He is beaten, given a crown of thorns and delivered to be crucified. From the cross, He commends His mother to John. He dies, His side is pierced, and He is buried.

6. Jesus is risen and appears to the disciples and the women of His company. Thomas is convinced of His resurrection. He appears to His disciples again by the sea shore, where He performs the miracle of the draught of fish. He charges Peter with the responsibility to feed the sheep and lambs. He foretells Peter's death.

Lessons To Remember

1. Jesus is the Divine Son of God, and we must acknowledge that fact.

2. It is a dangerous thing to be religious and miss the purpose of God.

3. We may be discouraged from time to time and go back fishing, but His love will not let us go.

4. In the midst of opposition, His peace is with us.

5. Circumstances may be against us, but He is Lord of the circumstances.

Outline

I. Introduction as Deity      1

II. Public Ministry      2 - 12

   A. Water to Wine, Temple Cleansed        2
   B. Nicodemus, John's Testimony      3
   C. Woman of Samaria, Nobleman's Son        4
   D. Impotent Man Healed      5
   E. 5000 Fed, Walk on Water      6
   F. Message of Holy Spirit (at Feast of Tabernacles)       7
   G. Adulterous Woman Forgiven       8
   H. Blind Man Healed        9
   I. Good Shepherd   10
   J. Lazarus Raised     11
   K. Bethany Supper, Public Acclamation Kernel of Wheat     12

III. Private Ministry    13 - 17

   A. Washing Disciples Fee, Predicts Betrayal   13
   B. Upper Room Discourse, on Coming Holy Spirit, World, Believer         14 - 16
   C. Christ's Prayer   17

IV. Death and Resurrection    18 - 21

   A. Jesus Arrested   18
   B. Jesus Condemned, Crucified, Buried     19
   C. Resurrection and Appearances   20
   D. Conclusion    21

Outline (Alternative)

I. The Prologue       1:1 - 18
   The Theme Stated: Belief

II. The Period of Consideration (Presentation of the Object of Belief)      1:19 - 4:54

   A. Testimony of John      1:19 - 51
   B. Testimony of Works      2:1 - 22
   C. Testimony of Words        2:23 - 4:54

III. The Period of Controversy (The Issues of Belief and of Unbelief)      5:1 - 6:71

   A. Presented in Action      5:1 - 18
   B. Presented in Argument      5:19 - 47
   C. Presented in Demonstration      6:1 - 21
   D. Presented in Discourse      6:22 - 71

IV. The Period of Conflict (The Clash of Belief and of Unbelief)      7:1 - 11:53

   A. The Conflict Described      7:1 - 8:58
       1. With Jesus' Brethren      7:1 - 9
       2. With the Populace      7:10 - 52
       3. Woman Taken in Adultery       7:53 - 8:11
       4. With the Pharisees and Jews       8:12 - 59
   B. The Conflict Illustrated       9:1 - 11:53
       1. By the Blind Man        9:1 - 41
       2. By the Discourse on the Shepherd   10:1 - 21
       3. By Argument    10:22 - 42
       4. By Raising Lazarus   11:1 - 53

V. The Period of Crisis (The Declaration of Belief and Unbelief)   11:54 -12:36a

VI. The Period of Conference (Strengthening of Belief)   12:36b- 13:30

   A. Transition   12:36b- 13:30
   B. Conference with Disciples   13:31 - 16:33
   C. Conference with the Father    17:1 - 26

VII. The Period of Consummation (The Victory over Unbelief)   18:1 - 20:31

   A. Betrayal   18:1 - 27
   B. Trial before Pilate    18:28 - 19:16
   C. Crucifixion   19:17 - 37
   D. Burial    19:38 - 42
   E. Resurrection     20:1 - 29

VII. Epilogue    21:1 - 25Ab

Assignment

Before the next lesson, do the following:

1. Read through the Book of Acts two or three times.

2. Do a Character Study on the Holy Spirit with only the information found in the Book of Acts.

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New Testament SurveyLesson Five