John. The Gospel of the Son of God.

Lesson 102. [1.2.75.] The Contents of Holy Scripture: The Gospels. John. The Gospel of the Son of God. Westminster Confession of Faith 1.2. Under the name of holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, Genesis—Mark. Luke. All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life. Intro. John 1–4 Lesson. Introduction to John. Doctrinal lessons in John 1. The eternal generation of the Son: begotten, not created; two natures, one person. John 1:1–3— “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him.” Col. 1:16–17— “For by him were all things created... And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” See Prov. 8:22–36. Hutcheson— John begins with this sublime description of Christ that believers may know Him as true God, one in essence with the Father and Holy Ghost. He is the Word because He reveals the Father, is the great subject and substance of Scripture, the truth of its types and promises, and declares the Father’s will unto the Church. Therefore faith must look through the veil of His flesh unto the rock of His Godhead, recognize the infinite worth of His sufferings, and maintain high thoughts of Christ even in His humiliation. 2. The office and use of the ministry: to bring sinners through the Word unto faith in Jesus Christ. John 1:7— “The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” • The same — a man sent by God. The vessel is weak; the calling high and holy. • Witness — he testifies of another, taking no glory to himself. • All — all without distinction: Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, male and female. • Through him — the minister is an instrument and must keep doctrine and life pure. • Believe — not in the minister, but in Christ according to the Word. Hutcheson— Christ condescendeth to make the ministry of weak men a means whereby His light shineth unto the world. The minister’s great office is to point out Christ in His person, offices, excellencies and benefits, declaring how He is to be believed, served and suffered for. Faithful ministers must preach with plainness, fidelity, boldness and constancy, neither adding nor diminishing. The preaching of law and wrath should bring sinners to see their need of Christ; sanctification must be preached with faith in Christ, from whom virtue floweth. Ministers must not rest content that their gifts procure esteem for themselves, but lead men unto Christ. John threatened sharply, called men vipers, and pressed repentance, yet his ministry tended to this: “that all men through him might believe.” No hearer of the Gospel is excluded from the command and warrant to believe. Christ is held forth as the refuge of His people of every nation. 3. Christ made all things, governeth all things, and giveth every light men possess; yet the world knew Him not. John 1:9–13— “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God... Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” See Prov. 8:22–36; Rom. 1:18–23. He came unto Israel, whom He had separated from pagan darkness and furnished with priesthood, tabernacle and testimony, yet they received Him not. But those receiving Christ receive the higher privilege of becoming sons of God. “Not of blood” — lest men boast in ancestry. “Nor of the will of the flesh” — natural power and free will contribute nothing to regeneration. “Nor of the will of man” — human learning, virtue and achievement cannot produce it. “But of God” — regeneration is God’s work: the Word is the seed, ministers sow it, and the Spirit quickeneth it. Thus John’s doctrine continually directs all glory unto God. 4. The sincere believer is seen and acknowledged of Christ. John 1:47— “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Christ mercifully passeth over the faults and prejudices of those who do not persist in them, but come unto Him. He knew Nathanael before Nathanael knew that Christ regarded him. Not every Israelite outwardly was an Israelite inwardly. Christ discerneth both the outward profession and the heart. The mark of the true Israelite is not sinlessness, but sincerity: having received grace and closed with Christ, he desireth to serve God from right principles and for right ends; hypocrisy doth not reign in him; he loveth truth, hateth guile, and desireth to be in secret what he appeareth before men. Christ, though Himself the Author of every grace, delighteth to acknowledge His own work in His people: “Behold an Israelite indeed.”