Gospel of John: A Biblical History
The Gospel of John is one of four gospels in the Holy Bible and is the fourth book in chronological order presented in the New Testament. The Gospel of John is a unique perspective of the life of Jesus Christ. It varies from the other three gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke (also known as the synoptic gospels), by focusing more on spiritual themes rather than historical events. The author of this gospel was the disciple John, one of the twelve disciples that followed Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. The author identifies himself in the last chapter of the gospel: "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true." (John 21:24). John was also known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (see John 13:23, 19:26, and 21:7.). Perhaps this explains the uniqueness of John's record of the life of Jesus. The book is filled with first hand accounts of experiences with Jesus Christ that occurred during Christ's 33 years of life on earth. Scholars generally accept that the Gospel of John was written between 50 and 85 A.D.
Gospel of John: The Outline and Structure
The Gospel of John is organized into 21 chapters. The book begins with a foundational truth from God with a poetic style of presentation. "In the beginning was the Word (Jesus Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1-2). The accounts of Christ's life begin in chapter one with John the Baptist confirming prophecy and identifying Jesus as "the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). In the first chapter, Jesus also calls His first disciples to follow Him.
In the second chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus performs His first miracle by changing water into wine. In John 2:19, He also predicts His resurrection after three days. Chapter 3 contains two of the most popular verses in the entire Bible, John 3:16 & 17, which summarize the significance of Jesus Christ and His purpose for the world. "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
The rest of the book contains vivid lessons and instructions from Jesus Christ on how to live according to God's will and what priorities are important in life. Jesus used many parables to teach people effectively. For example, in chapter 15, Jesus explains the significance of having a relationship with Him and the true difference that it can make in life. He describes Himself as the vine and His disciples as the branches that sprout from the vine. He describes God as the gardener that prunes the vine to maximize the harvest. There are many other illustrations from Jesus spoken through parables in the Gospel of John.
Gospel of John: What's the Significance?
The Gospel of John presents many important lessons for living life on earth and determining our eternal destiny after we die. First, the book clearly establishes that Jesus Christ is the Jewish Messiah that was prophesized in the Old Testament of the Bible. Second, the book substantiates the purpose of Jesus Christ and the reason He was sent to earth by God. In addition, the Gospel of John distinguishes itself from the other gospels by focusing less on events and more on spiritual themes. Lastly, there is a clear message in the Gospel of John that helps us understand the truth about God, the truth about eternity, and the truth about making a choice to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. Of course, a summary of this Gospel can only provide highlights to the actual text and cannot replace it. We absolutely encourage you to read the Gospel of John to learn more about Jesus Christ and His plan for your life.
1. From this movie, list as many information as you can about Jesus.
2. Aside from Jesus there are other characters in the movie. Who are the most prominent characters and what did they say about Jesus.
3. Which information do you believe are true and which information you do not believe are true and the information you are not sure if they are true or not. Why?
4. If Jesus is what this movie is trying to portray, are you willing to respectfully tell Jesus that;
"Jesus if what this movie is saying about you is true then please reveal yourself to me in whatever way you want, I will be waiting for that revelation"
In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Joh 1:1)
From the very beginning the Word was with God. (Joh 1:2)
Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. (Joh 1:3)
The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. (Joh 1:4)
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. (Joh 1:5)
God sent his messenger, a man named John, (Joh 1:6)
who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. (Joh 1:7)
He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. (Joh 1:8)
This was the real light---the light that comes into the world and shines on all people. (Joh 1:9)
The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. (Joh 1:10)
He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. (Joh 1:11)
Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children. (Joh 1:12)
They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father. (Joh 1:13)
The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son. (Joh 1:14)
John spoke about him. He cried out, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.' " (Joh 1:15)
Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. (Joh 1:16)
God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (Joh 1:17)
No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (Joh 1:18)
The Jewish authorities in Jerusalem sent some priests and Levites to John to ask him, "Who are you?" (Joh 1:19)
John did not refuse to answer, but spoke out openly and clearly, saying: "I am not the Messiah." (Joh 1:20)
"Who are you, then?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?" "No, I am not," John answered. "Are you the Prophet?" they asked. "No," he replied. (Joh 1:21)
"Then tell us who you are," they said. "We have to take an answer back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself ?" (Joh 1:22)
John answered by quoting the prophet Isaiah: "I am 'the voice of someone shouting in the desert: Make a straight path for the Lord to travel!' " (Joh 1:23)
The messengers, who had been sent by the Pharisees, (Joh 1:24)
then asked John, "If you are not the Messiah nor Elijah nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?" (Joh 1:25)
John answered, "I baptize with water, but among you stands the one you do not know. (Joh 1:26)
He is coming after me, but I am not good enough even to untie his sandals." (Joh 1:27)
All this happened in Bethany on the east side of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. (Joh 1:28)
The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (Joh 1:29)
This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'A man is coming after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.' (Joh 1:30)
I did not know who he would be, but I came baptizing with water in order to make him known to the people of Israel." (Joh 1:31)
And John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and stay on him. (Joh 1:32)
I still did not know that he was the one, but God, who sent me to baptize with water, had said to me, 'You will see the Spirit come down and stay on a man; he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' (Joh 1:33)
I have seen it," said John, "and I tell you that he is the Son of God." (Joh 1:34)
The next day John was standing there again with two of his disciples, (Joh 1:35)
when he saw Jesus walking by. "There is the Lamb of God!" he said. (Joh 1:36)
The two disciples heard him say this and went with Jesus. (Joh 1:37)
Jesus turned, saw them following him, and asked, "What are you looking for?" They answered, "Where do you live, Rabbi?" (This word means "Teacher.") (Joh 1:38)
"Come and see," he answered. (It was then about four o'clock in the afternoon.) So they went with him and saw where he lived, and spent the rest of that day with him. (Joh 1:39)
One of them was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. (Joh 1:40)
At once he found his brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah." (This word means "Christ.") (Joh 1:41)
Then he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "Your name is Simon son of John, but you will be called Cephas." (This is the same as Peter and means "a rock.") (Joh 1:42)
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