Selected Essays And Book Reviews

Lesson 1 - Introduction {541 words}

1. Why does Dr. Towns call John the greatest book in the Bible? A person can read the Gospel of John and find Jesus as their Savior. The gospel talks about many of the important teachings and miracles of Jesus, and these things will point the unbeliever to Jesus yet still be useful to the biblical scholar who has known the Lord for a very long time.

2. Summarize in one sentence the purpose of the gospel of John. The Gospel of John talks about the teachings and miracles of Jesus so that the reader can believe into Him, have a relationship with Him as Savior and Lord, and find eternal life.

3. How do the key words of John point to the Deity of Christ? John wrote that believing on Jesus was the way to have life. The words, (1) believe and (2) life, show that Jesus has the power to forgive sins and grant eternal life. The word, (3) sign, refers to the miracles of Jesus, and they point to Jesus just as a sign might point to any other destination. The words, (4) I am, come from the Old Testament name for Jehovah God and show Jesus as the self-existing One. The word, (5) truth, shows the eternal moral standards of Jesus and the spiritual way. The word, (6) knowing, shows that we can know God and know about Him. The word, (7) witness, refers to the witness of everyone to the deity of Jesus and to His Sonship. The word, (8) Father, shows that God the Father and Jesus, the Son of God, are god and have an eternal relationship.

4. Do the exercises below, without looking at your notes. Dr. Towns pointed out that the number eight stands for regeneration, the Holy Spirit, and new things. Seven is God's number of completeness.

a. Repeat the eight key words. The eight key words in this gospel are: (1) believe, (2) life, (3) sign, (4) "I am", (5) truth, (6) knowing, (7) witness, and (8) Father.

b. Repeat the eight great "I am's". The eight "I am's" are: (1) I am the Bread of Life, (2) I am the Light of the World, (3) I am the Door, (4) I am the Good Shepherd, (5) I am the Resurrection and the Life, (6) I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, (7) I am the Vine, and (8) I am . . . I am.

c. Repeat the eight miracles. The eight miracles are: (1) the turning of water into wine, (2) the healing of the nobleman's son, (3) the healing of the lame man, (4) the feeding of the five thousand, (5) Jesus walking on the water, (6) the healing of the blind man, (7) the raising of Lazarus from the dead, and (8) the miraculous catch of fishes.

d. Repeat the eight witnesses. The eight witnesses are: (1) the witness of the Father, (2) the witness of the Son, (3) the witness of the Holy Spirit, (4) the witness of the Scriptures, (5) the witness of the works of Jesus, (6) the witness of the Baptist, (7) the witness of the disciples (including John), and (8) the witness of the changed lives. 
					Tom of Spotswood


"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God 
 hath not life." (I John 5:12)


"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with 
 all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

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