June 2, 2024
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-5 (NASB)
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NASB)
After recently completing a study in the book of John with (BSF) Bible Study Fellowship, I now have a much better understanding of why the Gospel of John is recommended reading for new Believers in Christ!
The Gospel of John is a primer containing the basis of Christianity! It is a profound starting point for new Believers in Christ because it offers a clear, comprehensive, and engaging introduction to Jesus Christ’s identity, mission, and the essence of the Christian faith. John provides a deep, yet accessible, understanding of “The Word” which is one of the highest and most profound titles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of John introduces the new Believer in Jesus Christ to His divinity and humanity. In the first chapter, we are introduced to the foundational understanding of the dual nature of Jesus as Savior and Lord. It emphasizes personal relationship and eternal life with Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit which are foundational to our journey of faith.
The Gospel of John emphasizes the Christian belief, eternal life, a personal relationship with Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit, all of which are foundational to the journey of faith. By starting with John, new believers can develop a strong and intimate understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him.
The Gospel of John Introduces Jesus’ Divinity and Humanity
. These verses introduce Jesus as both fully divine and fully human. Understanding this dual nature is foundational to Christian belief. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:14 says, “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.”
The Gospel of John Focuses on Believing and Eternal Life. John 3:16 encapsulates and summarizes the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s love and the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus. It is straightforward and central to the Christian faith. It says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” It is clear here we must be born again, which is the only way God can receive us. Christ bore our penalty, and the Spirit of God regenerates us.
The Gospel of John Presents Jesus as the Bread of Life and Living Water. These following metaphors help new Believers understand how Jesus meets our deepest spiritual needs and provides eternal sustenance. John 6:35: “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 4:13-14: “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The Gospel of John Gives a Clear Presentation of the Purpose of Jesus’ Miracles. The purpose of the miracles Jesus performed was to foster belief in Him as the Messiah and Son of God. John 20:30-31 says, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 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.” This helps new believers in Christ understand the significance of the miracles He performed.
The Gospel of John Puts Emphasis on a Personal Relationship with Jesus. John 15:4-5 focuses on the importance of a personal, abiding relationship with Jesus, which is crucial for spiritual growth and fruitfulness: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.”
The Gospel of John Presents Encounters that Demonstrate Jesus’ Compassion and Power. These passages of Scripture illustrate Jesus’ character and His transformative impact on individuals. John 8:1-11: The story of the woman caught in adultery shows Jesus’ compassion, forgiveness, and call to a new life. John 11: The raising of Lazarus demonstrates Jesus’ power over death and His compassion for those who mourn.
The Gospel of John Provides Teaching on the Holy Spirit. These passages of John 14:16-17, and John 16:13 introduce the Holy Spirit as the believer’s helper, guide, and source of truth, essential for understanding Christian life and growth. John 14:16-17 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth.” John 16:13 “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”
HEART 
CHALLENGE: Can people tell that you are a Believer in Christ and a member of God’s family? Do problems in your relationships with other Believers cause open conflicts or mutual silence? Believers in Christ are marked by the way they treat each other. We as Believers in Christ should love one another and live in peace. This does not eliminate all differences in opinion, but loving others will cause you to work, to do all you can to work together despite differences. Such love is not a feeling, but a decision to meet others where they are and despite the situation, as noted in 1 Corinthians chapter 13. This commitment to others leads to peace between others and among the members of the body of Believers. Consider what you can do to heal those relationships with love. The Gospel of Jesus Christ spells out what kind of belief is acceptable to God. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
We must allow the peace of Christ to be our umpire or referee in our hearts. Our heart is the center of conflict because our feelings and desires clash with our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy, and love. How can we deal with these constant conflicts and live as God wants? Paul explains that we must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of peace: Which choice will promote peace in your souls and in your relationships?
God, the Creator of the universe owes us NOTHING! Yet He desires an intimate relationship with us, that of a father with His children. Such a magnificent gift is not forced upon us but offered to all who will receive it.
A BELIEVING 
HEART: Believers in Christ are marked by how they treat others. Accepting Christ as Savior and Lord breaks down all barriers and accepts all people who come to Him. The Body of Christ should have no barriers of nationality, race, education, social standing, wealth, gender, religion, or power. Nothing should keep us from telling others about Christ or accepting into our fellowship any and all believers. Christians should be building bridges, not walls.
The Body of Christ should have no barriers of nationality, race, education, social standing, wealth, gender, religion, or power. Christ breaks down all barriers and accepts all people who come to Him. The Apostle Paul reminds us in His letter to the Church at Ephesus “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.” Ephesians 2:14-15 (NLT) Nothing should keep us from telling others about Christ or accepting into our fellowship with all Believers. As Believers in Christ, we must build bridges, not walls.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your Word which provides us with clear instructions on how we can know You personally. Thank You for being brought into Your family forever. Thank You for the opportunity of being made one with You Father and our sinful nature does not control us, Your Spirit does. Thank You, Father, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.