Introduction
Today’s lesson continues our studies on John 1. It portrays the scriptural truth that Jesus is the revelation of God as seen in his works and some witnesses about him.
I. Jesus’ works proof he is the Son of God
Jesus created the world (1:1-4)
He was in the beginning with God and was the divine Agent through whom the world was created.
Jesus gives Salvation (1:9-13)
He came to His own world, and His own people (the Jews) did not receive Him. Salvation is a gift that the sinner receives when he trusts the Messiah. “Believing” and “receiving” are the same thing. A new birth then takes place—not from human blood, or by the flesh, ‘by the will of men, but from God.
Jesus reveals God (1:15-18)
Jesus the Messiah reveals God’s grace and God’s truth. Moses gave the Law that reveals sin and condemns. The Messiah reveals the truth that redeems. The Law prepared the way for Him.
Jesus baptizes with the Spirit (1:33)
We see the Trinity in this chapter: the Father (1:14, 18), the Son (1:14, 18) and the Spirit (1:32-34). The descent of the Spirit identified the Messiah to John and we cannot truly see Jesus today unless the Spirit opens our eyes.
Jesus has intimate knowledge of people (1:42, 47-48)
He knew Peter and Nathanael better than they knew themselves (see 2:23-25). Only God can see the hearts of people.
Jesus forgives sin (1:29)
No one on earth can take away a person’s sin.
Jesus opens the way to heaven (1:50-51) and is the way to heaven
Like Jacob in Genesis 28:10-17, sinners are away from home and in the darkness of sin. But the Messiah reveals the glory of heaven and opens it for us to enter in. Jesus Christ is God’s “staircase to glory.”
II. Witnesses Prove that Jesus is God’s Son
This aspect purposes to throw more light on the fact that there are several examples of witnesses in John 1 that prove that Jesus is the Son of God. This lesson thus points out that these instances of witnesses are reliable and that they are to serve as our motivation for telling others about Jesus.
The Reliability of the Witnesses
John uses the word “witness” often in his Gospel (1:7-8, 15; 3:26, 28; 5:31-37; 8:18; 15:27; 18:23). The witnesses of the Bible can be trusted because they had personal contact with the Messiah, and they gained nothing from men by witnessing for Him. In fact, they suffered for it. There is no evidence that they lied. Their witness would stand in court today.
Examples about witnesses of Jesus in John 1
The following constitute some witnessing in the first chapter of John’s Gospel.
1. John the Baptist (1:7, 15, 29; see also 5:35)
2. John the Apostle (1:14- “We have seen His glory…”)
3. The Old Testament prophets (1:45)- It is likely that Nathanael knew about the Messianic prophesies in the 5 Books of Moses.
4. The Holy Spirit (1:33-34)
5. Andrew (1:41) – He was an evangelist who started at home.
6. Philip- He backed up his testimony with the Word of God. This a wise policy for all witnesses.
7. Nathanael (1:49)
Witnessing about Jesus as a kind of networking
John and Andrew were saved through a preacher, John the Baptist. Peter found the Messiah because of Andrew’s personal work. Philip was called by Jesus personally. Nathanael found Him through the Word and Philip’s testimony. God uses different people and circumstances to bring people to his Son. He is a God of infinite variety.
Conclusion
This lesson has sought to identify certain witnesses that indicate that Jesus is the Son of God. Insightfully, forming essential part of these witnesses are both divine and human elements.
Questions
1. State three works of Jesus that proof that he is God’s Son.
2. How reliable are the witnesses that prove that Jesus is the Son of God?
3. Which of the witnesses are you more likely to identify yourself with?
4. To what extent are you prepared to witness about Jesus to your friends and loved ones?
Amazing grace Baptist Church, Hamburg 