Bible Book: John

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.

Author: John

Type of Book: Gospel

Theme: Jesus Christ: the Son of God and Savior of People

Date of Writing: A.D. 80-95

Background
John’s Gospel (i.e., his account of the “good news” and true story of Jesus Christ) is unique among the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). It records much about Jesus’ ministry in Judea and Jerusalem that the other three Gospels leave out, and it gives deeper insight into the “mystery” of Jesus’ personhood as both God and man. The author is identified as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). It is clear from the Gospel that he described events from an eyewitness perspective, that he knew Jewish life well and that he was a leader of great influence in the early church. The writings of historians such as Irenaeus and Tertullian, the testimony of ancient Christianity and the internal evidence of the Gospel itself point to John, the son of Zebedee, as the author. John was one of the twelve original disciples (i.e., Jesus’ personally chosen followers) and a member of what might be called Jesus’ inner circle (Peter, James and John).
According to several ancient sources, the elderly John was living in Ephesus when church leaders in Asia asked him to write this “spiritual Gospel” in order to refute, or argue against, a dangerous heresy (i.e., false teaching) that had started among the believers about the nature and person of Jesus Christ. People who followed this faulty teaching, led by a persuasive Jew named Cerinthus, were denying Jesus’ deity (i.e., the fact that he is God). John’s Gospel continues to serve the church as a very important and authoritative statement about “the truth” as it was lived out and made known to them in the life of Jesus Christ.

Purpose
John states in 20:31 that his purpose for writing is “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Ancient Greek manuscripts of John’s Gospel have one of two tenses for the word translated “believe” (20:31): the aorist subjunctive (“that you may begin believing”) and the present subjunctive (“that you may continue to believe”). If John had in mind the first tense, he wrote to convince unbelievers to accept the Lord Jesus Christ and be spiritually saved. If he had in mind the second tense, John wrote to encourage those already following Christ so they might strengthen their faith, resist false teaching and deepen their relationship with God the Father and his Son, Jesus (cf. 17:3). While the book of John supports both of these purposes, his message as a whole favors the strengthening of Christians as the overriding purpose.

Survey
John presents carefully selected evidence that Jesus was Israel’s Messiah (i.e., the “Anointed One,” Savior, Christ) and God’s Son from the beginning—the Creator in the flesh. The supporting evidence includes (1) seven main signs (2:1-11; 4:46-54; 5:2-18; 6:1-15; 6:16-21; 9:1-41; 11:1-46) and seven main discourses (i.e., teachings, messages, dialogues, 3:1-21; 4:4-42; 5:19-47; 6:22-59; 7:37-44; 8:12-30; 10:1-21) by which Jesus revealed clearly his true identity; (2) seven “I am” statements (6:35; 8:12; 10:7; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1) by which Jesus symbolically revealed his relationship with people and his purpose for restoring their relationship with God; and (3) the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead as the ultimate sign and the decisive proof that he is “the Christ, the Son of God” (20:31).
John has two major divisions. (1) Chs. 1-12 describe the incarnation (i.e., God coming in human form through the personhood of Jesus), introduction and public ministry of Jesus Christ. In spite of Jesus’ seven convincing signs, seven profound teachings and seven astounding “I am” claims, the Jews generally rejected him as their Messiah. (2) Having been widely rejected by the old-covenant Israel (i.e., the people to whom God originally revealed his laws and promises), Jesus then (chs. 13-21) focused on his disciples as the nucleus of his new covenant people (i.e., the church he founded based on his own perfect life, sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection). These chapters include Jesus’ last supper (ch. 13), his last dialogues and teachings (chs. 14-16) and his final prayer for his disciples and for all of his future followers (ch. 17). The book ends by showing how God’s new covenant (i.e., his “life agreement” and plan of spiritual salvation for all people) was started, established and confirmed by Christ’s death (chs. 18-19) and resurrection (chs. 20-21; see article on The old covenant and the new covenant).

Special Features
Eight major topics characterize John’s Gospel. (1) It focuses on the deity of Jesus as “the Son of God.” From the introduction, which openly declares “the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father” (1:14), to the conclusion with Thomas’ confession, “my Lord and my God” (20:28), Jesus is clearly presented as God the Son—“the Word”—come in the flesh. (2) The word “believe” occurs 98 times. It means receiving or accepting, by faith, Christ as God’s Son (1:12). But true Biblical faith is not simply a matter of mental belief or recognition; it is a heartfelt response of active trust by which a person surrenders control of his or her life to Christ and continues to follow God’s purposes. This results in an ongoing commitment of one’s whole life to him (see article on Faith and grace). (3) “Eternal life” is a key topic in John. It refers not simply to endless existence—living with God forever—but also to a present-day transformed (completely changed) life and ongoing relationship with God that comes through an active faith in Christ. This relationship frees us from slavery to sin and Satan and gives us constant access to God and the life he has planned for us. The definition of eternal life given in 17:3 is “that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (4) Personal encounters with Jesus are presented throughout the Gospel (no less than 27 of them; see chart of The Ministry of Jesus). (5) The work of the Holy Spirit enables Jesus’ followers to experience Jesus’ life and power in an ongoing way after Christ’s death and resurrection (see chart of The work of the Holy Spirit). (6) It focuses on the topic of “truth”—Jesus is the truth, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and God’s Word is truth. God’s truth sets people free (8:32), makes them clean (15:3) and is the exact opposite of Satan’s character and activity (8:44-47, 51). (7) The number seven is the key number found in this gospel: seven primary signs, seven primary discourses (i.e., message topics) and seven “I am” claims, which all testify to who Jesus is. (The number “seven” is key also in John’s book of Revelation.) (8) Other key words and concepts in John are: “light,” “word,” “flesh,” “love,” “witness,” “know,” “darkness” and “world.”
   

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.