John is very clear as to why he wrote his gospel. In John 20:30-31 he writes, “Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” In his gospel, John records a number of the signs (miracles) that Jesus performed, along with a number of things that Jesus said. He did so in order that one who reads the gospel with an open mind and the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit, will become convinced that Jesus is God incarnate, the Messiah.
John had another important reason for writing his gospel. The book was probably written at a time when the church was composed of second and third generation believers who needed more detailed instruction about Yeshua as well as new defenses for apologetic problems raised by apostasy within the church and growing opposition from without. The understanding of the person of Messiah that had depended on the testimony of His contemporaries was becoming a philosophical and theological problem. Doctrinal variations had begun to appear, and some of the assertions of the basic messianic truths had been challenged. A new presentation was necessary to meet the questions of the changing times.
This course in the gospel of John will be a verse-by-verse study of the book. Major themes will be discussed, the book’s relationship to the Old Testament will be studied, and John’s emphasis on belief in Jesus, and how he develops this important theme, will be studied.
Download class notes and supplemental handouts:
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The Book of John Class Notes (PDF format)
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