John Bible Study - Lesson 9

John Bible Study - Lesson 9

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 3:22-36 New International Version (NIV)

John Testifies Again About Jesus

²² After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. ²³ Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. ²⁴ (This was before John was put in prison.) ²⁵ An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. ²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

²⁷ To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ ²⁹ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ³⁰ He must become greater; I must become less.”

³¹ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. ³³ Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

John 3:22-36 New Living Translation (NLT)

John the Baptist Exalts Jesus

²² Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.

²³ At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. ²⁴ (This was before John was thrown into prison.) ²⁵ A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. ²⁶ So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”

²⁷ John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ ²⁹ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. ³⁰ He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

³¹ “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. ³² He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! ³³ Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. ³⁴ For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.³⁵ The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. ³⁶ And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        After leaving Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples went to the countryside where He spent time with them and baptized them.

·        John the Baptist was also continuing to baptize at Aenon near Salim

·        A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. They brought up the fact that the one who John called the Messiah was also baptizing people.

·        John tells his disciples that He has prepared the way for Jesus to baptize and that He is glad for Jesus and the purpose God has given to Him.

·        John said that Jesus must become greater and that he, John, must become  less.

·        John states that Jesus has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.

·        John states that many do not yet believe in Jesus’ testimony but that anyone who accepts Jesus’ testimony believes and can affirm God is true.

·        John claims Jesus was sent by God and that He speaks for God.

·        John claims God loves His Son Jesus and has given Him full authority to fulfill God’s good purpose

·        John claims that anyone who believes in Jesus, God’s Son, has eternal life.

·        John claims anyone who does not obey Jesus and reject Him, will never see eternal life but will remain under God’s Judgment

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit

Mark 1:8 New Living Translation (NLT)

 I baptize you with water, but he (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

·        John continued to baptize with water for the purpose of repentance

Acts 1:5 New Living Translation (NLT)

John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 3:11 New Living Translation (NLT)

 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

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What does baptism mean?

·        The definition of baptism is a religious ceremony that involves a brief immersion in water or water being sprinkled over the head or forehead as a symbol of washing away sin.

·        Baptism is the only true expression of one's profession of faith in Christ as Savior and Lord 

·        It means we have turned from the old life of sin to a new life in Jesus Christ.

·        It means we are publicly identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

·        It means we are openly joining the ranks of those who believe in Christ.

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·        No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven

·        John points to Jesus as the Messiah

·        We all must put Jesus in the proper place in our lives

·        Jesus is Lord and Savior of all who confess their belief in Him

·        Jesus came from Heaven to Earth to fulfill God’s plan of Salvation (read below)

John 1:1-14 New Living Translation (NLT)

Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
² He existed in the beginning with God.
³ God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
⁴ The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
⁵ The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

⁶ God sent a man, John the Baptist, ⁷ to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. ⁸ John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. ⁹ The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

¹⁰ He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. ¹¹ He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. ¹² But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. ¹³ They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

¹⁴ So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

·        Jesus is God’s Son and has full authority to forgive sin and reconcile people back to God

·        Those who believe and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior will have eternal life

·        Those who reject Jesus will remain under God’s wrath and judgment

·        Many today still reject Jesus cause they don’t want to be under God’s authority and they don’t want to repent from their sin

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Ask God to reveal to you the truth about Jesus and His purpose

·        If you have any sin causing you to turn away from God, ask God to forgive you and turn back toward Him for forgiveness, grace, truth, wisdom and direction.

·        Baptism is a public profession of faith. If you have not done so, get baptized so people will hear your testimony of God’s work in your life.

·        Put Jesus in the proper place in your life so you can have eternal perspective and Godly wisdom to navigate the turbulent waters of a broken world

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        What do you believe about baptism and does that belief coincide with what the bible says?

·        What place does Jesus have in your life?

·        Do you have the assurance of salvation?

·        How do you know you are saved?

·        Will you let Jesus be the Lord over your life?

·        Will you let the Holy Spirit fill your thoughts and actions with Christ-like love?

Have a great week…………….Dave