John 1

It is my opinion that to find the true teaching of the gospel of Jesus according to the apostle John, one must understand his relationship to his Lord. He was one of the firsts to be called into the service of his Lord (vs 35), along with Andrew. He is also called the apostle of love, this does not mean that Jesus did not love the other apostles, but only that John would have a special closeness to his Saviour, wherein he is described as the one who leaned upon his breast (13:23, 21:20). This position demonstrates the position of a wife who has put all her trust and confidence in the strength of her husband. Eph 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." This same love is expressed in Deut 7:6 "thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth." It is these people, Israel and Judah where we find in Jer 31:32 that he declares, ‘I was an husband unto them.’ And again he further defines the special love as did Jacob unto Rachel (Gen 29:30) for ‘he loved also Rachel more,’ and he made a covenant with Judah in Gen 49:10.

John 1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him (Elohiym) was not any thing made that was made." This simply defines Genesis 1:3-25, showing that Elohiym was not only the Father Jehovah, but He would also to be manifested in the flesh as The Son of God. 2 Cor 5:19 "God (Elohiym) was in Christ, reconciling the world (all of His children) unto himself." Having established the deity of the Word, John then in his first epistle, shows us how he has called his bride, which he defines as the word world "The Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world (of unbeliever) knoweth us (believers) not, because it knew him not. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins (3:1). Also in (1:1) "That which was from the beginning (not before 2 Th 2:13), 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; (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.)" This eternal life (Word) was manifested in the flesh as the Son of God.

Vs 4 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men, and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not." 2 Cor 4:6 "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." This light that shining forth out of darkness of the law has manifested its self, in the true believer, as a light in the darkness of the unbelieving world. This unbelieving world was not able to comprehend the truth, having their mind set by the works of the law, therefore it was shut up unto them (Gal 3:23). These two worlds are show and contrasted in the book of Hebrews. We also see both of them in the seventeenth chapter of John. The two worlds are not attempting to define who is a child of God and who is not, but rather contrasting the world of those who have be blessed with the truth, to the world of unbelievers. The unbeliever; if given the opportunity would attempt to destroy the truth in the earth. It is my understanding that there is a world that belongs to the son of man, Jesus (Jh 5:21, Lk 12:32): a world that belonged unto Jehovah (Jh 5:21, Jer 31:32): there is also a world that included all of Elohiym children (2 Cor 5:19). According to Jh 8:44, and 1 Jh 3:10 only liars, one who denies what he know to be the truth, are considered to be children of the devil.

Vs 6 "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light." The all men to who John the Baptist was sent unto, was those to whom the LORD was preparing to be united in marriage to the son of man, Jesus. In other words, John was the so-called best man, which would introduce the bride unto the bridegroom. We find this further described in Luke 7:28 "I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." How is it that any one is greater than John is the Baptist? It is as the Apostle John, he was not greater than the other apostles, yet his position was that of leaning upon his Husbands breast (Jh 21:20). Yes, John the Baptist was not included in the bride, but what a great privilege, he was honored with as the best man.
　
Vs 9 "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." Here again we have two of the worlds spoken of in Hebrews. One being the world which was betrothed unto the son of man, Jesus, and the other being all other, or those opposed unto the truth. The every man herein includes only those betrothed unto Jesus: the Holy Ghost as yhr administer of the new covenant faith, circumcises the heart, adding to the church those betrothed unto the son.

Vs 11 "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." His own was the nation of Israel, and those who did not receive him, are those not defined as the generation of the Lord in Ps 22:30, and Isa 65:8, for only a portion of the nation of Israel were included in the generation of the Lord. Matt 19:28 "Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration."

Vs 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: which were born (begotten), not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John here is speaking in retrospect to the time starting at the day of Pentecost, for until the giving of that power (Lk 24:29), which could not be experienced until the day of Pentecost. Those spoken of as were born (begotten) are those who experienced is that spoken of in 1 Peter 1:5, and are then brought to light as in Gal 4:19 "I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." Paul further defines this process in Acts 26:18 "To turn them from darkness to light." Yes after one is begotten by the first witness, defined as the regeneration of Matthew 19:28 then the preaching of the gospel as the second witness will deliver, bring to birth the child from the darkness of the law unto the truth. Before this the child of God only ‘hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law’ (Rm 2:20). And again they ‘having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof’ (2 Tm 3:5). This is the case of all the will worshiper. It is these who do not worship him in truth.

Vs 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." It is these who have been so blessed with the truth: having been given the privilege of seeing, and hold the very Son of God, should indeed strive to enter in and behold his glory. It is my understanding that this is when He open the door and bids one to sup with him in his chamber. Oh! So great a glory, that is beyond our ability to describe. Praise his Holy Name.

Vs 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." As explained above, as John the apostle is writing this in retrospect. Here he recalls the experience, having been baptized by John the Baptist, and had no doubt been told by him of the glory, which he had been privileged to behold (1:35).

Vs 16 "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." It appears that this account was actually that of John the Baptist, but is now being recorded by the apostle John. In the fulness of the bride’s Husband, the firstborn, the first fruits having not only received the grace to know there is a God, but also his bride has the privilege of knowing the very son of man, 'that Jesus is the Christ' (Jh 20:31, 1 John 5:1) as her husband. Grace for grace. Isa 40:2 "She hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins."

Vs 17 "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." This verse further defines just who it is that has received grace for grace, for it is tied in with truth.

Vs 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." John 13:23 "There was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved." John 21:20 "The disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper." The comparison of The Son is herein shown in the same immanent relationship as the bride in her relationship to the son of man, Jesus. The apostle John has this unique way of defining this relationship in all of his writings. John writings are different from the other three gospels for he speaks mostly about this husband/bride relationship, whereas the other gospels are more slanted to the responsibilities of all of the children of God.

Vs 19 "And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias." The apostle John having been one of the first to witness this forerunner of the bridegroom, is now relating his encounter with the bridegroom and his best man. It appears there are two groups of men, the first is described as priests and Levites. Here we have those who should have known the lessons in the Old Testament that speaks of (Mt 11:14) Elias, which was for to come. Mt 17:10 "Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?" Lk 1:17 The scriptures has recorded "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." Yes these priest and Levites should have known, but their mind set was so self centered for them to stop and consider what they knew concerning the truth, which was defined in their own scriptures.

Vs 24 "And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?" As stated above with the priest, these were the keepers of the law and likewise knew the scriptures concerning the teaching of Elias, but having hardened their heart against the truth, rejected their own teachings (Mt 21:32).

Vs 26 "John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." The word ‘eido’, used here for know is and expression used to denote a lack of desire to understand. In other words, having had set their mind against any opposition contrary to their own agenda. This is not unlike those spoken of in Hebrews chapter six and ten.

Vs 28 "These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing." This is self-explanatory, which is relating to the place which the event took place. This verse set up a series of events, which would take place in the next three days. First we find the Jews coming to John the Baptist with the attitude of will worship, that is they wanted to escaped eternal punishment, and thought this could be accomplished by their own works. This is seen of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:7, and again with Jesus in Luke 3:7.

Vs 29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Here we find the event, which is considered to take place at the beginning. ~ "This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." The apostle John records the things that took place on this day according to the saying of the Baptist, and defines the position, which the Baptist saw himself being placed in. That is the one who would introduce the bride unto the bridegroom, the best man.

Vs 35 "Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he (The Baptist) saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him (the Baptist) speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour." This is now day one following the baptism of Jesus, or the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. Here we have two of ‘The Baptist’ disciples (John and Andrew) leaving ‘The Baptist’ and following Jesus. If you will notice the writer herein will not speak of himself (humility) but always refers to himself as the other person. The tenth hour would be four o’clock in the afternoon by our time, so it was getting on into the day, but "One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon (peter), and saith unto him, We have found the Messias (The Anointed), which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone." We now have three of the twelve apostle following Jesus. John, Andrew, and Peter, which is now known as Cephas.

Vs 43 "The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." Day two finds Jesus and the three disciples in Galilee, where they now find Philip, who in turn finds Nathanael, who doubts any good can come out of Nazareth for his knowledge of Isa 9:1. "Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun." Philip then gives us the lesson, which we all could do well to adhere unto, ‘come and see’. Jesus then reveals the true mean of the lesson taught in Isaiah 9:2 "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." Yes Jesus could indeed say, ‘in whom is no guile’, because those who were walking in darkness and in the shadow of death are now enabled to see the great light. We find during his ministry that he (Matt 9:30) opens the eyes of whom he will ~ ‘their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.’ And tell them to not let any others know about it. This is taking place while those who are teachers of the law (Matt 13:15) and having seen it (Mt 21:32), yet their ‘heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.’ It is these same people that he has came to (1:11), some received him while other rejected him. During His ministry he did many mighty works (Mt 13:58), to the point that those that knew the law, knowing who he was yet desired to kill him (Matt 21:38) ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.’ (Matt 21:42) ‘Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation (Eph 2:12) bringing forth the fruits thereof.’

John 2:1 "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage." We will take this third day up in the next segment of the gospel of Jesus according to John in chapter two.

3/31/09 Rev 11/01/09