NT612 John's Gospel and Epistles - Exam Prep

En archē ēn (John 1:1) uses the imperfect tense of eimi, signifying continuous, timeless, uncreated existence before creation.

Egeneto (John 1:14) (aorist of ginomai) indicates coming into existence in time at the Incarnation.

Summary: The Word eternally WAS (God), and in time BECAME (flesh).

Pros ('with God') with the accusative denotes coexistence on a plane of equality, intimacy, and face-to-face personal relationship within the Godhead.

It distinguishes the 2nd Person (Logos) from the 1st Person (Father), directly refuting Sabellianism / Modalism (which claimed God is one person in three modes).

Anarthrous theos (without the definite article) functions as a predicate noun/adjective emphasizing quality/essence.

It asserts that the Word shares the exact divine essence with God the Father. If it had the article (ho theos), it would imply interchangeable identity (Sabellianism).

Scripture attributes original creation (ex nihilo) to God alone (Gen 1:1, Col 1:16).

John 1:3 states: 'All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.'

Because all created things came through Him, the Word Himself is uncreated God, refuting Arianism.

1. Nathanael under the fig tree: Jesus saw Nathanael before Philip called him (John 1:48–50).
2. Knowing human hearts: Jesus knew what was in all men (John 2:24–25).
3. Samaritan woman: Jesus revealed her entire marital past without being told (John 4:18).

Because Jesus made claims that implied full equality with God:
• John 5:18: Called God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
• John 8:58: Claimed the divine name 'Before Abraham was, I am.'
• John 10:30–33: Declared 'I and my Father are one.'

Thomas confessed: 'My Lord and my God!' (Ho Kyrios mou kai ho Theos mou).

Jesus accepted and commended this uncorrected confession, serving as the climax of Christological revelation in the Gospel, explicitly affirming Jesus as Yahweh/God.

• Sabellianism / Modalism: Refuted by personal distinction (pros ton theon).
• Arianism: Refuted by timeless deity (theos ēn ho logos, 1:1; 8:58).
• Docetism / Gnosticism: Refuted by real incarnation (sarx egeneto, 1:14; 1 Jn 4:2–3).
• Cerinthianism: Refuted by the unipersonality of the Son.

John deliberately avoids the Synoptic terms dynamis (act of power) or teras (wonder).

He consistently uses sēmeion ('sign'). A sign points away from itself to reveal a deeper spiritual reality, manifesting Christ's glory.

1. Revelation: To manifest Christ's divine glory and prove He is the Messiah, the Son of God.
2. Soteriology: To lead beholders to genuine, saving faith so that believing they may have eternal life through His name.

Power over: Creation / Substance.
Meaning: Shows Christianity as an advance over empty Jewish ceremonial purification (stone waterpots). Manifests Messianic joy and transforms the ordinary into extraordinary.

Power over: Space / Distance.
Meaning: Demonstrates the power of Christ's spoken word across distance (Cana to Capernaum). Calls for faith that rests on His word without requiring visual signs.

Power over: Physical paralysis / Sabbath tradition.
Meaning: Demonstrates Jesus' continuous divine working on the Sabbath alongside the Father; shows His sovereign power to heal the helpless.

Power over: Quantity / Physical sustenance.
Meaning: Prefigures Christ as the true Bread of Life come down from heaven to give eternal life, surpassing the OT wilderness manna.

Power over: Creation / Nature.
Meaning: Demonstrates authority over natural elements and manifests divine presence with the absolute utterance 'Ego Eimi; be not afraid.'

Power over: Physical & spiritual darkness.
Meaning: Illustrates Christ as the Light of the World bringing spiritual illumination to the humble while exposing the spiritual blindness of self-righteous Pharisees.

Power over: Physical death and corruption (4 days in tomb).
Meaning: Supreme public sign demonstrating Christ as 'The Resurrection and the Life' with power to raise the dead.

• John 20 (Resurrection of Christ): The ultimate authenticating sign of His divine person and finished work.
• John 21 (Miraculous Catch of 153 Fishes): Demonstrates providential power and restores disciples to their gospel mission.

Connects directly to Exodus 3:14 (Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh - 'I AM THAT I AM').

Reveals the divine covenant name Jehovah / Yahweh, denoting self-existence, eternality, immutability, and uncaused being.

'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.'

Jesus contrasts Abraham's temporal origin (genesthai) with His own timeless, uncreated existence (eimi). The Jews picked up stones to stone Him for blasphemy because He claimed Jehovah's name.

1. John 8:24: 'Unless you believe that I AM [He], you will die in your sins.'
2. John 8:28: 'When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I AM [He].'
3. John 18:5–8: At Gethsemane, the arresting squad fell backward at the utterance of 'Ego Eimi.'

1. Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48)
2. Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5)
3. Door of the Sheep (John 10:7, 9)
4. Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
5. Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
6. Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:6)
7. True Vine (John 15:1, 5)

• Bread of Life (6:35): Satisfies eternal spiritual hunger; spiritual nourishment through faith.
• Light of the World (8:12): Dispels moral/spiritual darkness and provides divine direction for life.

• Door of the Sheep (10:7): Exclusive entry into salvation and safety.
• Good Shepherd (10:11): Sacrificially lays down His life for His sheep and preserves them eternally.

• Resurrection & Life (11:25): Victory over physical and spiritual death.
• Way, Truth, Life (14:6): Sole mediator to God the Father.
• True Vine (15:1, 5): Source of vital spiritual life; fruitfulness through abiding.

1. Assurance: Written so believers may know they have eternal life (1 Jn 5:13).
2. Protection: Written to guard believers against seducers and false antichrist teachers (1 Jn 2:26).

1. The Moral Test: Obedience to God's commands & walking in light vs. habitual sin (1 Jn 1:5–7; 2:3–5).
2. The Social Test: Sacrificial love for fellow believers vs. hatred (1 Jn 2:9–11; 3:14; 4:7–12).
3. The Doctrinal Test: Confessing the incarnate Son of God come in the flesh (1 Jn 2:22–23; 4:1–3).

God is light (holy), so true fellowship requires walking in the light (1 Jn 1:5–7).

Believers know they know Him if they keep His commandments (1 Jn 2:3). Those born of God do not practice sin habitually (1 Jn 3:9). Refutes antinomianism and perfectionism.

1. 1:6: Claiming fellowship while walking in darkness (Antinomianism).
2. 1:8: Claiming to have no sin nature (Self-deception).
3. 1:10: Claiming we have not committed acts of sin (Perfectionism).

Love for Christian brethren is an automatic fruit of regeneration (1 Jn 3:14).

Anyone claiming to be in the light or to love God while hating his brother is in spiritual darkness and is a liar (1 Jn 2:9, 4:20). Love is sacrificial action in deed and truth (1 Jn 3:16–18).

Testing the spirits requires confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 Jn 4:1–3).

Denying the Son denies the Father as well (1 Jn 2:22–23). Directly refutes Gnosticism / Docetism (denying real flesh) and Cerinthianism.

• Gospel of John (20:31): Written to initial hearers so they might believe and receive life.
• 1 John (5:13): Written to existing believers so they may know they possess eternal life.

• 'Believe' (pisteuō): Occurs 98 times in John's Gospel.
• 'Life/Live' (zōē/zaō): Occurs 56 times in John's Gospel.
• 'Know' (ginōskō/oida): Occurs over 40 times in 1 John.

Approximately 92% of the content in John's Gospel is unique compared to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). Written ~AD 90–100 as a supplementary record.

Paraklētos means 'one called alongside to help/advocate':
1. Jesus Christ: Our Advocate with the Father in heaven (1 Jn 2:1).
2. The Holy Spirit: 'Another Comforter' sent to indwell believers on earth (Jn 14:16, 26).

• 2 John: Focuses on fidelity to truth; commands believers NOT to receive or greet deceivers/false teachers.
• 3 John: Rebukes prideful Diotrephes for refusing true brethren; commends Gaius for sacrificial hospitality to true gospel workers.