The unique value and benefit of the Gospel of John has been described by Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “In [the Gospel of John] is the most persuasive testimony of the Divine Sonship; in it is the most elaborate imagery and symbolism; in it are many of the more mature doctrinal concepts” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:371).
Jesus Christ was “in the beginning with God.”
READ John 1:1-5
-What did John have to say about the premortal Christ?
READ The Premortal Christ…in Add’l Res
-Why is it important to know about Christ’s premortal roles?
READ JST, John 1:1-5
The JST changes the title of John’s Gospel to “The Testimony of St. John,” along with many other significant changes. For Latter-day Saints, this is an important change because John did not identify himself as the author of this Gospel, although a great deal of tradition passed down through the ages holds that that is the case (Holzapfel et al., Jesus Christ and the world of the New Testament, 126-27).
-Does the change to “testimony of St. John” add meaning?
-What more do you learn from Joseph’s translation?
READ The Apostle John testified…in Add’l Res
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
JST, John 1:1 In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.
4 In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;
5 And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not.
4-NT SS Lesson Jan 16-22 John l: “We have found the Messiah”
READ John 1:6-7
-Who was this John and what was his purpose?
-How was the Savior described in verse 7?
READ D&C 84:45–46….in Add’l Res
-How does the Savior and His gospel provide spiritual light in our lives?
-How can we share His life with others?
Jesus Christ is the Light.
READ Who was this John….in Add’l Res
READ John 1:15, 23, 26-27 for a description of the mission of John the Baptist
-What do these declarations made by John the Baptist show that he knew about Jesus Christ?
-Why do you think John was looking forward to the Savior’s coming with such anticipation?
-Who did the Pharisees think that John thought he was?
-How did John answer the Pharisees as to who he was?
READ What do we learn about John’s character as he responded to the Pharisees’ questions? …in Add’l Res
READ John 1:29-34
Search these verses for the main points of John’s testimony concerning the Savior.
-What are the main points of John’s testimony?
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
-What might John’s announcement that Jesus of Nazareth was “the Lamb of God” have meant to the people in his day?
-What does it mean to us today?
We can gain our own witness of the Savior and then invite others to “come and see.”
John’s disciples follow Christ.
READ John 1:35-42 The Savior accumulates His disciples
-What is the meaning or purpose in President Nelson’s admonition that we “hear Him.”
-What happened when John’s disciples heard the Savior?
-What did those who heard then do?
-What was the meaning of “come and see?”
-As we gain our testimony of the Savior what is our responsibility to others?
In verse 42 He foretells the leadership of Peter.
READ John 1:47-51 The meeting of Christ and Nathanail
-What was Nathanael’s earlier statement to Philip (vs 46)?
-How might this story influence how you approach God?
-How well does the Savior know you?
-What can we learn from the actions of John’s disciples?
READ Elder Ballard…in Add’l Res
READ We can invite others to “come and...”...in Add’l Res
READ “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2000 in recognition of the 2000 years anniversary of the birth of Christ.
John 1:35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no bguile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
(Vs 51) What is the meaning of the term “Son of Man?” “‘The Son of Man’ was and is, specifically and exclusively, Jesus Christ. While as a matter of solemn certainty He was the only male human being from Adam down who was not the son of a mortal man, He used the title in a way to conclusively demonstrate that it was peculiarly and solely His own” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 143).
IN CONCLUSION: When the prophet Malachi stepped off the earthly stage around 450 B.C., no genuine prophetic voice was heard again for about 500 years. We know this period as the intertestamental period—the gap between dispensations in the Old and New Testaments. Without a prophet, people in the land began to divide into parties and groups, each claiming the right to interpret the scriptures and lead the people. As we understand these 500 years and the confusion that accompanied them, we can understand more about the Savior’s ministry and renew our commitment to follow Him. (The Lost 500 Years: From Malachi to John the Baptist by S. Kent Brown, Professor Emeritus of Ancient Scripture, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University, Liahona, Dec/ 2014)
The Prophet Joseph, speaking in the Nauvoo temple in 1843, said: ““The question arose from the saying of Jesus—‘Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ [Luke 7:28.] How is it that John was considered one of the greatest of prophets? His miracles could not have constituted his greatness. First. He was entrusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Whoever had such a trust committed to him before or since? No man. Secondly. He was entrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the Son of Man. Thirdly. John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. (The Mission of John the Baptist: Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Chapter 6).
In writing his book John wanted to make sure that we recognized the absolutely essential mission of John the Baptist as the prophet that recognized, baptized and urged his followers to follow the Savior. In this first chapter, John illustrated the supreme role of the Savior as the Son of God from before the world was created.
John [the Baptist] held the Aaronic Priesthood, and was a legal administrator, and the forerunner of Christ, and came to prepare the way before him. … John was a priest after the order of Aaron before Christ. Christ came according to the words of John [see Mark 1:7], and He was greater than John, because He held the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and kingdom of God, and had before revealed the priesthood of Moses, yet Christ was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness.
It is to our blessing that the Kingdom of God, restored again through the Prophet Joseph, is a Kingdom of Order. Everything is in place to bring us in an orderly progression in gospel principles and ordinances to eternal salvation, which is only possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We too, have found the Messiah. It is He we must honor, respect and love as we follow in His footsteps.
I hope you have a good week. Stay healthy and be of good cheer.
Greg
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
The Premortal Jesus Christ
The Apostle John testified that his purpose in writing was �That ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”The scenes from jesus’ life that [John] describes are carefully selected and arranged with this objective in view. John’s primary audiences included Saints “who understand the scriptures and their symbolisms and who are concerned with spiritual and eternal things.” (McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:65) These factors explain why much of the material in John’s record is unique to his Gospel. “Unlike the other three, this Gospel is not structured chronologically, instead the author reports miracles and discourses in which Christ confronted His listeners with a clear claim to be God in the flesh” (Revell Bible Dictionary, 574).
Doctrine and Covenants 84:45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
Who was this John “sent from God.” It was John the Baptist. “In the premortal spirit world, God appointed certain spirits to fulfill specific missions during their mortal lives. This is called foreordination….John the Baptist was foreordained to prepare the people for the Savior’s mortal ministry. (Gospel Topics, Foreordination) The JST adds that the Baptist testified that Jesus was not only the “true light” but “even the Son of God” (JST, John 1:9-10).
What do we learn about the character of John the Baptist as he responded to the questions of the Pharisees. John the Baptist obviously knew his place in God’s plan and in the relationship to the Christ. When Jewish leaders interrogated John about who he was, they assumed he would claim to be the Messiah. John said simply, “I am not the Christ.” When they pressed him further he quoted Isaiah: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” The Prophet Joseph Smith explained, “John was very particular to tell the people ‘he was not that LIght but was sent to bear witness of that Light.’’’ (History, 1838-1856, Volume E-1 [1 July 1843-30 April 1844] p. 1919, josephsmithpapers.org)
President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Never hesitate to bear your testimony with sincerity and love. The power of personal testimony cannot be denied and often ignites in others the interest to know more” (“Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 27).
We can invite others to “come and see.”
Elder Neil L. Andersen taught: “The Savior taught us how to share the gospel. I like the story of Andrew, who asked, ‘Master, where dwellest thou?’ [John 1:38]. Jesus could have responded with the location of where He lived. But instead He said to Andrew, ‘Come and see’ [John 1:39]. I like to think that the Savior was saying, ‘Come and see not only where I live but how I live. Come and see who I am. Come and feel the Spirit.’ We don’t know everything about that day, but we do know that when Andrew found his brother Simon, he declared, ‘We have found … the Christ’ [John 1:41].
“To those who show an interest in our conversations, we can follow the Savior’s example by inviting them to ‘come and see.’ Some will accept our invitation, and others will not. We all know someone who has been invited several times before accepting an invitation to ‘come and see’” (“It’s a Miracle,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 79).
THE LIVING CHRIST: THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES (2000)
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
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THE LIVING CHRIST: CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).
We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
(Issued in the year 2000 to commemorate the 2000 years since the birth of Christ)