Part One – Introduction and Background
Part Two – Resurrection
Part Three – Life Everlasting
Part Four – Judgment

In John 5:21-40, Christ preached this section exactly as it should be. Though combined for effect by our Lord, writing for instruction here and admitting much overlap and repetition in Christ’s discussion as presented, we’ll examine, in turn, the four topics shown in verses 21 through 40: resurrection, life everlasting, judgment, and the witnesses of this first-century judgment. It’s presented in six parts, none long, for ease of reading. Read the entire chapter first.

Lesson 5, Witnesses

The Jews were having their conditional covenant terminated for violation (Isaiah 61:1-2, Daniel 9:24-27, Micah 7:13, Matthew 23:13-24:35, Matthew 24, Revelation 4-19. The Old Covenant and the temple system are being put to death, “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.” – Deuteronomy 17:6. This verse does not apply directly to the end of the Old Covenant but shows an aspect of God’s nature in judicial dealings with men under His rule. But we are not without hope; the promise (covenant) of a seed (Galatians 3:16) to Abram was fulfilled two thousand years ago and remains, the Church being added to daily.

In verse 30, we learn what Christ repeatedly states about His mission on earth. He does all things by the will of the Father, only seeking to please Him. His judgment is just because He does this in the will of His Father, who sent Him.

“30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.”

Jesus claims the Father again (For personal application, see John 6:44). In verse 31, Jesus begins to offer the empirical observable truths from several witnesses about who He is. But more importantly, under the covenant nature of our God and demands in the law for more than one witness to establish criminal conviction, Jesus indicates that His testimony, though He is God the Son, will not be the lone voice. Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly, never sinning against it in the will of the Father. Christ sets forth proof under the law of God that He, Jesus of Nazareth, is the Christ of God. Remember to whom He’s speaking (verses 16-19); if He bears witness of Himself as the lone testimony, under the law, it’s insufficient.

In verse 32, Christ starts to list the witnesses and their proofs. We’ll note the witnesses and make a select point or two.

-First witness, John Baptist. See John 1:26-27, 29-30.

“32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.”

John Baptist told the Jews that the Christ of God Almighty was among them (John 1:26-27), soon to be revealed. The whole witness (John 1:15) and record (John 1:19) that John Baptist gives is well worth examination: John 1:15-37. It’s preached too little and examined too lightly today.

“33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.”

In verse 33, Jesus addresses the Pharisees directly about sending the priests and Levites to ask John who he was (John 1:19, 22). In verse 35, He broadens the conversation to all those listening, for all men in Judea went out to John to hear him preach and get baptized in Jordan (Mark 1:5,7-8). And as stated, verse 34 is the sermon’s purpose: that ye might be saved! Also see Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 4:5, and John 1:23. This witness is valid.

-Second witness, the miracles done by Christ.

“36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”

Verse 36 was already set up by verse 20 to indicate that He would examine this topic. Also, see John 14:11. Of course, there are too many miracles to list here, but remember that this whole exchange started over the miracle of healing the lame man by the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9). In verse 36, by repetition, Christ is re-establishing context for the maintenance of His exposition; the word of God is never without scope of purpose.

Nicodemus, among others, admitted that Christ’s power had to be from God (John 3:2). Nicodemus also perceives Jesus to be a teacher, which, being interpreted, would be a prophet sent from God (John 3:2). In verse 11 of John 3, a verse often misunderstood, Christ explains that He is indeed a prophet by citing the testimony (another judicial term) of all the prophets before Him. But we know Jesus isn’t only a prophet but also the High Priest, Saviour, Lord, and King, being all things to every man in faith.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” – John 21:25. Therefore, the witness of His works and all that He did are well established in the ear of God’s high court.

-Third witness, the Father.

“37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.”

Father God, speaking through the prophets, Moses, and David, showed the coming of Christ throughout the Old Testament. God predicts the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14, but in John 8:41, the Jews accuse Jesus of being born of fornication. Though this verse is abused by many denominations, sects, and cults today, one thing is clear: the coming Christ is spoken of in Genesis chapter 3:15. See Micah 5:2, and in Psalm 22, there are many messianic verses about the crucifixion of Christ. Also, see Isaiah 53. Many other examples exist for our edification.

Verses 36 through 38 should be examined together. The works Jesus was given to fulfill were from the Father. The Father Himself is a witness in the Law and Prophets, by which we take Jesus to mean the entire Old Testament (Luke 16:16). Jesus, once again, broadens the conversation to include all the prophets and Moses. See Matthew 23:29-31, John 5:39, 46-47.

“Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:” – Matthew 23:34. As Jesus pronounces the judgment upon that generation, He tells the Jews that not only have they rejected God’s witness in our text, but will reject and persecute the Apostolic Era prophets, witnesses, and teachers/evangelists.

As any good ruler would (Exodus 17:14), the Father keeps a book of remembrance: Malachi 3:16, Revelation 20:12. Remembrance is an imperfect term and merely a word picture for us. God knows all things from the beginning to the end. More so, He orders all these things for they are His works (Isaiah 46:10). All is to the glory of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 11:36). God knows those that are His (2 Timothy 2:19), and He forgets not your deeds serving Christ in the truth (Hebrews 6:10), and He knows who is appointed to the second death (Revelation 20:15) except they repent. The witness of the Father cannot be denied except by the self-willed and self-righteous man, even today.

-Fourth witness, Scripture.

“39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Having alluded to the Law and Prophets in the immediately preceding verses, Christ specifically cites the Scriptures as a witness. As mentioned, the verses are very tightly wound together. Since the witness of the Father is predicated on Scripture, if one concludes that verse 38 flows into 39 and there are but three witnesses, that’s probably correct, and you’ll get no argument here. For purposes of examining this section, it’s listed separately.

The Father and His will are found in Scripture. Jesus is the Word made flesh; He does always do the will of the Father, and the Holy Spirit is with them; these three are One and never in disagreement. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” – 1 John 5:7.

Christ has established the law, and the witnesses are found faithful. Having chosen to live by the law and therefore die in the law (Romans 2:12), the Jews are guilty in the very least of violating the Ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16) and are antichrist (1 John 2:22). Having further denied the witness of the Father, they are outside the First Commandment (Exodus 20:3) as well and in grave peril of their life. They are guilty as charged, denying that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and Son of God; though offered salvation (verse 34), they will not be saved.

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” – 1 Corinthians 1:26.

God have mercy on us all.

Part One – Introduction and Background
Part Two – Resurrection
Part Three – Life Everlasting

This is Part Four – Judgment

In John 5:21-40, Christ preached this section exactly as it should be. Though combined for effect by our Lord, writing for instruction here and admitting much overlap and repetition in Christ’s discussion as presented, we’ll examine, in turn, the four topics shown in verses 21 through 40: resurrection, life everlasting, judgment, and the witnesses of this first-century judgment. It’s presented in six parts, none long, for ease of reading. Read the entire chapter first.

Lesson 4, Judgment.

Part two is required before proceeding. All men everywhere are born damned to hell because they are sinners (Romans 5:12, 6:23). I don’t like this, and you don’t like this, but only a preeminently foolish man would seek to set God’s terms for Him, but that’s precisely what lost sinners do instead of submitting. We are condemned for this inherited sin condition (John 3:18), for which Jesus died in payment for you personally if you believe (Romans 5:8). That’s the necessary basics.

Nothing causes a more significant and sure consternation, railing, and vehement refusal to obey the word of God than Christ setting down His authority over the soul and duties of a man in sin. But Jesus is a good and just Judge, no spite or envy control His being, for He is God and only seeketh all men everywhere to come unto Him by faith (Acts 17:30, Romans 10:13, 1 Timothy 2:4). Christ is the Judge of your heart toward the peace offer from the Father to all men if only you would hear. It’s better to accept an accord from God, entering into a treaty by your surrender, than to remain belligerent, at enmity, and burn for eternity.

Read verses 26 through 30. The resurrection and judgment of all men are necessarily linked as an historical event to come. See verse 21 which was discussed in Part Two and compare verses 22 and 27, “22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:” & “27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” Also see 1 Samuel 2:6, Psalm 68:20, and Romans 4:17. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” – Revelation 1:18. Christ died and rose bodily, the power of life or death is His.

Jesus, being God, is the master instructor in all things, and this topic is no different. He makes mention of the resurrection in verse 21 and judgment in verse 22, including by whose authority. He provides the critical detail in verse 27 as to why the Father has committed all judgment to Him in the matter of men’s souls because He is the Son of man.

Further details were covered here about this authority of Christ and its founding upon His twofold nature, being both fully God and fully Man, He is solely and eminently qualified to judge us for sins, “17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” – Hebrews 2:17-18.

“28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice”

Verses 26 through 30 speak of the spiritual resurrection of the soul to eternal life, living for God now. This is a judgment to which all men are guilty of sin, yet the pardon of grace is offered by Christ. As absurd as that sounds to a lost man, there is also the resurrection of dead men’s bodies at the end of history to be judged by Christ. These verses speak of the resurrection of all men, some unto eternal damnation and some unto life everlasting with the Father. When Christ returns, all men will be called forth from the graves. These facts are only contended among some minority of evangelicals and orthodox believers.

There is some dispute about whether a single judgment will occur or two separate. I do think it’s one resurrection and judgment of all, yet those condemned will be judged as damned, and those forgiven will are judged as sons already in the household of God Almighty. Revelation Chapter 20:10-15 details the treatment of the kingdom of Death and Hell and all those who’ve rejected Christ and is not necessarily a different judgment event from those belonging to Christ. There are other perspectives, but all honest men advise being personally ready.

“29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

One can read verse 29 either way. Those already appointed unto life or those set unto damnation are judged together though reckoned under respective accounts of their works. Those unto life (Resurrection of the just, Luke 14:14), having their sins already abolished in the person of Jesus Christ, will be judged according to their service and failures in the Kingdom of God, but are blessed (Revelation 21:4). Those resurrected unto damnation will be reckoned to the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).

Dispensationalists take a two separate judgments view. Amillennialists take an ongoing, person-by-person upon-their-death view. Most others take a future single-judgment view. One thing is sure, you will see Christ if you are able to do anything other than tremble prostrate before His majesty; either way, you will be there.

Some also say the instances in Scripture where the resurrection sounds physical are only symbolic of a spiritual resurrection; they contend there is no physical resurrection, but I disagree. Christ physically rose. The restitution of all things is coming, and Father God will leave no ledger unattended. You’ll be eternally satisfied in Christ as to how He does all things well; don’t let doubt of a physical resurrection hold you back from the first thing, which is salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Above all else, as Christ teaches, you must see this spiritual new birth into the Kingdom of God by faith (John 3:3); don’t be found appointed unto everlasting destruction (1 Peter 2:8).

The flood in the time of Noah (or a flood) is often cited in Scripture as a warning that judgment is to all men, Psalm 90:5, Isaiah 59:19, Jeremiah 46:7, Amos 8:8, 9:5, 2 Peter 2:5. There is likely no adequate way to fully express to the mind of man what the day of judgment will look like; Christ gives several warnings in Scripture, some by parable. One example is found in Matthew 25:31-46.

You will not see any notion of uncertainty here at TCJ as though a man will be finding out his eternal station on that day. You can and must know now (1 John 5:13) your eternal soul’s condition before you die. There will be no bargaining or pleading on that day, nor bragging about the works you’ve done (Matthew 7:21-23). Most who tell people that they’ll find out on that day want something from you, often its money but also manipulative power over; beware. On that day, God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Judge and will judge the quick and the dead; the only disputation about this is from men dead in their trespasses and sins.

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.” – Acts 10:42

Part One – Introduction and Background
Part Two – Resurrection

This is Part Three – Life Everlasting.

In John 5:21-40, Christ preached this section exactly as it should be. Though combined for effect by our Lord, writing for instruction here and admitting much overlap and repetition in Christ’s discussion as presented, we’ll examine, in turn, the four topics shown in verses 21 through 40: resurrection, life everlasting, judgment, and the witnesses of this first-century judgment. It’s presented in six parts, none long, for ease of reading. Read the entire chapter first.

Lesson 3, Life Everlasting

Though God provides sustenance for your body as He chooses, the life He offers is by the Spirit of God. The idea that you can get to God through your occasional human efforts is imperial heresy promoted by the evil one and blasphemer, that false king who desires your mutual death with him in hell. You are not God, and neither is he; It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Judgment is by Jesus Christ, “According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.” – Isaiah 59:18. (Revelation 20:13).

Men everywhere are stubborn, obstinate, and hard-headed. There is an explosion in depravity. As it was, so is it today, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” – Genesis 6:5. Sin and evil thereby abounds in every quarter, depending upon the same vile system that not only condones but sanctions this evil, men still, strangely, consider themselves above it.

You need the functioning sense of what is holy, what is above, where the hope of a life with worth and purpose resides; that is, from the Almighty. All men’s minds are continually evil, but Jesus Christ is the life sanctified unto well doing in His name.

Jesus Christ is the way and truth of life (John 14:6) in verses 24 and 25. He did not end the covenant of the temple and leave the world yet without hope for the future. The day of salvation is at hand for you in the New Covenant now extended to all men. There is a new and better way in Christ Jesus.

By these next two verses in a row, Jesus emphatically declares the necessity of faith founded solely upon Him. Repent ye sinners. The magnitude and import of what’s about to be said can send you to Christ for the salvation of your eternal soul or damn you to hell. Pay close heed, give all attention, remove distractions from your mind, behold, hear Christ, and live!

“24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

Jesus speaks of spiritual life by a new birth and life after resurrection to judgment. There may be opinions on this, but verse 40 makes clear you must come only unto Christ to have both, and there is not an either–or about it. Both are small things to God, for He spoke the worlds into being and breathed the breath of life into the soul of man, making you a living spirit. God divided the light from the darkness and will place you in the light of Christ, the torment of sin gone. Holy Father God is not uncharitable to those who truly submit to His divine revelation of salvation through faith in Christ upon hearing the Gospel.

Men must honor Christ as they do the Father (Verse 23, 1 John 2:22) because Christ is all things to the man in faith. He is the sacrifice for sin, payment to God for the hell due for your sins, and He is the Judge who can forgive all sin, bringing the lost man into the love of the great and eternal God; the Son quickeneth whom He will and won’t cast you out.

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” – John 6:37.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:44.

Holy Almighty God draws as many as He will to the Son. If your soul hears Christ, calling and drawing, giving you interest in things eternal and hope beyond this world, believe on the God of that calling who sent Jesus; be no more subject to the bondage of death. It’s Jesus who died to pay your sin debt on the cross and rose again as the intercessor, the One who can reconcile you to God.

Life and judgment are given to the Son of God; throw yourself upon the compassion of Christ for the lenity of salvation. Believe in Jesus Christ, for the man who does is no longer condemned but has everlasting life. Being passed from death unto life, no longer having the weight of hell but a light yoke of serving the God of goodwill toward men; death’s stranglehold loosed, and the calling of Christ placed on you, being born again into a new and eternal life. Be dead no more, but live ye unto Christ!

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” – Jesus Christ.

Part One – Introduction and Background

This is Part Two – Resurrection

In John 5:21-40, Christ preached this section exactly as it should be. Though combined for effect by our Lord, writing for instruction here and admitting much overlap and repetition in Christ’s discussion as presented, we’ll examine, in turn, the four topics shown in verses 21 through 40: resurrection, life everlasting, judgment, and the witnesses of this first-century judgment. It’s presented in six parts, none long, for ease of reading. Read the entire chapter first.

Lesson 2, Resurrection

The question will run throughout verses 21 through 29, with 39 and 40, which verses speak of the spiritual new birth for the believer and which of the resurrection of the body? Well, some are clear, some less so. We can infer from Christ’s introduction of the topic in verse 21 that He does speak of both.

“21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”

The distinction is given in verse 21 for teaching His audience who know of the Old Testament instances of resurrection. But Jesus doesn’t stop there and says He will quicken whosoever He will (Romans 10:13) to a new birth by the Spirit. See John 11:25. You must be in Christ.

By the time He’s done, Christ makes no distinction; what is done, is done in Christ, and you can have all the hope of heaven in Him, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” – Philippians 1:6. By His grace, your faith in Jesus Christ is enough (Ephesians 2:8-9). He is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless (Jude verse 24); we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (1 Peter 1:5).

There are several resurrections in the Bible. The first person raised from the dead in the Bible is the son of a widow in 1 Kings 17:17-22 as Elijah, the prophet of God, cries out to God for the boy’s soul to return to him. Jesus raises Lazarus (John 11:23-26), which is relevant here; Martha had learned well listening to the teachers at her local synagogue. And in case you haven’t heard, you’ll get to meet her one day, if you also believe as she did. The man who fell from a window is revived in the middle of Paul’s preaching (Acts 20:9-10). These are but a few examples. Certainly, the Pharisees would have known about the Window’s son; they believed in the resurrection; it was the sect of the Sadducees who did not (Acts 23:8).

Christ has already explained the spiritual new birth to Nicodemus, himself a Pharisee and on the ruling council (John 3:1-7). He is beginning to clarify the bodily resurrection and final judgment to His disciples and those standing by. We know both the new birth by the Spirit and bodily resurrections are facts of the eternal workings of God as He, through history, brings the final estate to fruition for His Church of faith.

Some today say the resurrection is past, though they can’t explain how they know or why we missed it. Paul dealt with this same thing, “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” – 2 Timothy 2:18. Don’t let your faith be overthrown.

Discussing the bodily resurrection can be confusing when speaking with lost sinners; it’s not recommended as an evangelist’s tactic. And never discuss judgment, death, and hell for sin without also showing the hope of eternity through the spiritual new birth by grace through faith in Christ crucified and resurrected. Though the Sadducees disputed it, Jesus is speaking with people who were well taught since childhood about the resurrection.

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Part One – Introduction and Background

In John 5:21-40, Christ preached this section exactly as it should be. Though combined for effect by our Lord, writing for instruction here and admitting much overlap and repetition in Christ’s discussion as presented, we’ll examine, in turn, the four topics shown in verses 21 through 40: resurrection, life everlasting, judgment, and the witnesses of this first-century judgment. It’s presented in six parts, none long, for ease of reading. Read the entire chapter first.

Lesson 1, Introduction and Background

John 5:1-9. Jesus healed a man who had been lame for Thirty-Eight years by the pool of Bethesda. There, an angel would go in and trouble the water, permitting the first man after who entered the pool to be healed. These verses conclude, “8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.” – John 5:8-9

John 5:10-16. The Jews see the healed man carrying his bedroll and accuse him of violating the law by working on the Sabbath. The Jews discovered that Jesus had healed him and told him he could take up his bed. The section concludes, “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.” – John 5:16

“17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” – John 5:17-18. See Philippians 2:6.

In Verse 17, Jesus begins a range of topics that runs through the end of the chapter. Having been presumably interrupted by the Jews in verse 18, He continues without disruption to the end. It’s not until verse 34 that we find Christ’s purpose in this discussion: that ye might be saved. Ever the evangelistic Christ of God, full of grace and truth, the Word made flesh dwelling among men, He offers salvation over and over again that they, and you, not perish but have life, and still, too many in that day and now will not obey the truth.

We’ll look at this section of Scripture, seeing several aspects of Christ’s teaching, making some contextual notes, and further application. The section includes a critical salvation message about everlasting life blended, rightly, into a discussion of the final resurrection and judgment being brought to fruition by the power of God (Verses 21-29).

Christ pivots in verses 30 and 31 from judgment to the many proofs that He is the Christ of God, showing that, indeed, all these things must come to pass. Verse 40 is a key summation before the last several verses to which we’ll only refer but not examine in detail. Verses 39 and 40 are the impetus for this writing.

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Background.

Without teaching the covenant nature of God in American churches, a critical aspect of Biblical understanding goes missing. God makes covenants with men and nations; the Church of Jesus Christ is worse off for neglecting this teaching.

Judicial terminology and word pictures are used throughout the Scriptures, including the New Testament. God presents His word this way in general because He makes contracts. Like it or not, your salvation is one such covenant; you must serve Him to bring Him glory, becoming His bride.

Neither is the legal sense of the term witness to be overlooked. In this covenant you made with Christ, you are a witness of Christ before sinners (Acts 1:8), as a legal matter in the courts of heaven, that those at enmity with God may face trial for their crimes (sin) against Him. Primarily, just as Christ did, we offer to show all men sin and hell that they would believe in Christ crucified, repent, and be saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ’s atonement.

Witness as a legal term derives from the law of God “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” – Deuteronomy 19:15. The concept is brought into the New Covenant by way of similar application, establishing evidentiary proof of sin, conversion, and good works toward God. See 2 Corinthians 13:1.

In John Chapter Five, Christ establishes several witnesses as though a courtroom scene is taking place. Remember that the Pharisees are lawyers and scholars of the Old Testament law; they were being warned because they knew these things.

There are many witnesses of Jesus Christ even today. Still, there are indeed three who witness of Christ: our word, the witness of the apostles, prophets, and disciples, including every book in the canon, which is the word of God, and the power of conviction by the witness of the Holy Spirit upon the heart of the lost sinner who hears from God as we share Scripture, tell our own story, and show them about Christ crucified. Though we pray for later realization of their offense against the Almighty, if the hearer rejects this threefold witness, they are condemned to eternal death (John 3:18). A very similar situation is presented in John Chapter Five for us today.

In this chapter, Jesus relies on the witness of others. Today’s modern Pharisees are also a pack of lawyers using lawfare for their gain to manipulate and ensnare men, as it was two thousand years ago.

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John Chapter 9.

By way of instruction, let’s look at a few people in John Chapter 9. Character studies are a means to derive a clearer view of who and what Jesus Christ is, adjusting our worship and service of Him accordingly. First, the Pharisees, these purveyors of the traditions of men and law by letter and not by spirit, chose power, prestige, and capital R religion above the Christ of God. Also, the blind man’s parents decided to favor the temple (a Church) with the familiar social comfort of the status quo instead of truth by Christ Jesus. Then the man blind from his birth seemed strangely satisfied having received his sight but perhaps, did not want to know Him that had opened his eyes.

The Pharisees ran off the blind man. This is happening all across America in the Churches; they cast him out. They cast out the evidence of the workings of God.

“They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.” – John 9:34

There was the man blind from his birth, sighted, telling them a miracle of God had occurred, and the Pharisees cast out the evidence of Christ by arrogantly choosing to live in the lie of their religion.

Churches are turning to the New Religion of feel-good get along-ism. The Pharisees then, as the Pharisees today running the American Churches, reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those fully regenerated, serious men who know what work must be done are being run out of the Churches. The wolves and workers of inequity can’t have them there lest the truth of Christ’s kingdom by the Great Commission begins to spread. And they can’t have themselves, false converts all, exposed as the frauds they are. They called this man a sinner merely for noting what he perceived to be the source of Christ’s power (John 9:33)! Some of the worst resistance to being a committed Christian comes from the purportedly religious crowd. Don’t let them talk you off the ledge; go all in for Christ.

Are you the blind? Are your eyes opened, but you remain a fruitless edge dweller consuming Christianity as though it were mere entertainment instead of being a doer of the word (James 1:22)?

Examine your faith with all seriousness. The Pharisees knew more about the Bible than anybody and were perhaps the most religious people ever to have lived. Yet, they were lost, dead in their sins, blinded to Christ by their lofty self-estimation, residing in error. It cost them their whole civilization. Are you in error? Can you hear the truth? Examine yourselves with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Is your doctrine wrong?

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” – John 16:13

In John 9:25-33, we read the man’s testimony to the Pharisees about how he received sight. In Verse 34, again, they tossed him out of the synagogue. Well and good, the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands (Acts 7:48). Service toward God, centered around a building is the exact religion Christ ended in the first century.

The blind man’s parents (Verses 20 through 23) chose social conformity, religious leaders of dubious character, and poor doctrine of a Christless temple system over the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ. Making an application for today, they didn’t want to be tossed out of “Church” for being real Christians. They chose the wickedness of the ruling class with the trappings of comfort and ease in familiar religion over the truth and even over honest exploration of who Jesus is.

The Churches in America have shown they will comply with any civil edict, whether antichrist or illegal; For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind… (Hosea 8:7). When they come to your neighborhood for the guns, it’ll be “Christians” out on the street pointing at your house.

Don’t scoff and don’t laugh, but the day is already arriving in American Churches where those confessing Christ are, maybe not so directly just yet, but they’re being told to leave. Saying that you believe in God may be fine. Saying that you believe in Jesus may even be accepted for now. But start preaching hell hot, Christ crucified for the shedding of blood, and the Kingdom of God by His commands preeminent to this world and see what happens.

His parents risked leading him astray, which is essential for parents, grandparents, other family members, teachers, and Church leaders to understand. Raising good little cultural Christians may make them well-adjusted compliant citizens of Rome, but that is not salvation in Christ, nor is it what God’s people are called and chosen to accomplish. You must make Christian soldiers of the children in your family and your congregation.

You’re flat-out wrong if you think peer pressure doesn’t exist in the American Church today. It’s all about fitting in.

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” – Proverbs 1:10

Real Christians are supposed to be radically different from those that remain in darkness. Being regenerated in Christ Jesus changes, or it should change, everything about a man.

For all we know, the blind man’s parents died in their sin, to be cast into eternal torment. If we don’t receive this instruction, the blind man’s parents died in vain, for nothing. Suppose we choose religion over Jesus or Church over God’s works. If we seek faithless ceremony and activities with friends over the hard work of building the Kingdom of God in anticipation of His return, then we’ve missed a central point of this passage. If we don’t heed it, Jesus did this miracle for nothing; the Holy Spirit brought it to the mind of John to pen down for nothing. Shame on us if we learn nothing from their death.

As to the blind man, we’ve heard all kinds of preaching around verse 25. Most of it was making application toward salvation which is fine. But, if you examine the text, the blind man, while talking to the Pharisees, still doesn’t know salvation in Christ Jesus.

“He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” – John 9:25

He partly understood. He seemed weirdly satisfied. Why did he not inquire as to how Jesus had done this and who Jesus indeed was? By this time, Jesus’ disciples knew that He was the Christ. The blind man knows a miracle had been done and that it was wrought by God. But strangely, after washing his eyes, he didn’t immediately seek to find Jesus so that he might inquire of God.

“They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.” – John 9:17

Many today, as the man did with the Pharisees, confess that Jesus came from God, perhaps a prophet or a “good man.” Jesus is who and what He says, or He’s a liar; He can’t be both. But, why didn’t the man ask at the first, who art thou (for example, John 8:25)? We’re forced to wonder how many around us, having been made sighted, abide not entirely in the belief of Jesus Christ. Except that the Father draws a man to Christ, they remain with a simple, perhaps, intellectual understanding of Christ but lack faith unto life everlasting. He’s drawing you to choose even now.

The man knows a miracle had been done and that it was wrought by God. Perhaps your eyes are open, or you’ve seen some of the workings of God but have not drawn nigh to Christ and made your covenant with Him that you might be made wholly a son of God? Not to be simply aware of God, but hear from God through His word, having the gentle calling, drawing, and pressure to fulfill the works that He has foreordained that you should walk in them. Christianity isn’t a feeling; although you will experience the full range of emotions if you enter into a relationship with the Holy One, being a son of God is about following Jesus.

Later, Jesus comes and finds the man (Veres 35-37), and in verse 38, he believes. We don’t want to make of it something that isn’t there. But we find it interesting that, having told the Pharisees the truth as best as he could reckon – that Jesus was of God (Verse 33), then once the man left the comfort of that Christless religious system, Jesus found him. If you know that your religion is wrong, get serious about Christ.

But giving the blind man recognition, he stood up for Jesus to the religious crowd. Then (Verse 35), Christ comes and asks him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? When Christ asks, say yes! It’ll be the best thing you ever do.

Read verses 35-41, don’t make Jesus come looking for you. Praise His holy name that He does come to us, but get settled on the Rock, the sure foundation of the Christ of God, that you may enter into His kingdom to do the works that the Father has set before you. Having your eyes opened, now be fully converted to a doer of the word, made a joint heir of eternal life with Christ.

If you’ve never told somebody that you’re a Christian, pray and tell somebody today. For example, say to a stranger, “I believe in Jesus; He has saved my soul.” Verbalize your faith; share your salvation testimony with somebody, do it this week! This is a critical first step that God will use to grow you into a mature fruit-bearing believer.

In supposition, ask yourself, Am I wrong or in error? Do I only see part of the picture? What of my doctrine? Who am I trusting, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, the Holy Bible? Or are you trusting in men, traditions, and religion?

The Sanhedrin had only two eschatological views, and still, they missed Christ. Today there are several, and within some of those are dozens of bizarre or boutique theories that the Bible never shows.

Don’t get trapped by a building, don’t get trapped as a fruitless wanderer with eyes half opened, yet having a dead faith (James 2:17), and don’t choose the comfort of a Church over Christ’s kingdom and the labor set in order by God for your service of Him. But choose true religion; worship in spirit and in truth, seeking Christ in all things, magnifying His kingdom, proclaiming His holy name, and glorifying the Father, even unto the end.

“39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” – John 9:39-41

Say not to yourself, I see. But seek truth by Jesus Christ.

Read John 6:43-47

“44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” – John 6:44-45

In verse 44 above, Jesus declares that the Father calls those as He will to the Son for an inheritance in the resurrection. As to verse 45, see Isaiah 54:13, and some consider Jeremiah 31:34 along with Micah 4:2, but many don’t regard the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) as the work of God that verse 45 speaks to, but we do.

Jesus goes on to say: “Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. – John 6:46

Starting with John 6:46 and considering John 1:18, 14:9 (Below), an understanding of these three verses is unknowable but by those receiving the earnest of the promise for life everlasting by salvation in Christ.

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” – John 1:18

“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” – John 14:9

Rife with seeming contradictions, except that the Spirit of God explains, these verses cause the blind to cast off His word as mere poorly constructed mysticism or fables. But unto those drawn by the Father (verse 44), born anew by the Spirit, having come to Christ in contrite desire to learn of the Father, saved by faith in Jesus Christ, we know well and true that the three are one God. If you’ve seen the Father, you’ve seen the Son (John 10:30). Having seen the Son, you’ve seen the Father. Being drawn to the knowledge (faith) of the Father or the Son, that comes through the functioning of the Spirit. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen God altogether.

Put down your doubt of forgiveness from sin, by the cross of Jesus Christ, and take up salvation from death and hell through the resurrection, by faith unto life everlasting, that you may learn of God, drawn and called into a new life, a better life to know God. We know Him not by the vain imaginings of our mind, the explanations of self-proclaimed gurus and new age “prophets,” or the false teachers of the New Religion. We know Him, having our eyes opened by faith. It’s so rare as to prove the rule; in the Gospel age, those coming to faith don’t see Christ then believe; they hear the truth of the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6), make a profession of faith in their heart before the throne of God (Romans 10:9-10), that faith brings the surety of God by His Spirit. God teaches (reveals) of Himself to bring faith.

Nor could verse 45 mean only that academic study or classroom instruction is the means of knowing God, for many have religion, learning about God, and perhaps trying to keep a law to get to heaven. For these, the law is unto death, a schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24) from which you both realize your sin and seek Christ’s forgiveness or be determined guilty of God by the law (Romans 2:12) that you could never keep, for if you break one point, you’ve broken them all (James 2:10).

As the Father has mercy on His sons, He is not less the Master for showing His love; drawn by the Father, salvation is a gift by His grace, but Jesus Christ is also the Lord upon whom you must believe.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” – John 6:47

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” – John 17:9

John 17 is the prayer by Christ for His disciples, but not for them only. Jesus said to pray for your enemies and those that despitefully use you (Matthew 5:44), but here we see a truth that many are hard put to face; the first-century “world” had been condemned already. There was no need to pray for them; those chosen were prepared, trained, and soon to receive the commission to take global the Gospel, even to the uttermost part of the earth; only that Father God would keep them from evil. We don’t think that verse 15 below means to keep from doing evil; we rightly proclaim that they had works foreordained to walk in and should be kept from harm until the appointed time in which to die for the name of Jesus Christ.

“14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”  (See 1 John 3:1)  “15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” – John 17:14-15.

The birth of the Church of Jesus Christ was a most interesting, spectacular time and the singular event of import in the history of man, more so than any other. Even many Christians don’t grasp the significance of what happened. A new covenant in the pure and sinless blood of the Son of God is made available to all who would hear and believe. There’s no going back; there’s no returning to the old way, no blood of bulls and goats; it’s Christ alone, death and hell are defeated, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” – 1 Corinthians 15:55.

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” – John 17:20

What an unimagined thing that the Christ of God would pray for you. Yes, the salvation of grace the prophets of the ancients spoke to and longed to see; that day of Christ as they testified beforehand of the suffering your saviour would endure for you and the glory that should follow. Salvation, a miracle so extraordinary the holy angel’s desire to look into, who could understand such a thing as this; if you heard the word of God and believed of the salvation sent to you, the very Son of God Almighty had already prayed for you two thousand years ago.

The Father heard Christ’s prayer and answered. Stop what you’re doing and thank Him for praying for you, for His holy word, and that He opened the dullness of your mind, that the word of God would penetrate right down to your very soul, bringing faith for converting you unto life, and life everlasting in Him.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” – John 17:3

Note: This post is tagged Gospel Witness and Notes on John as it falls into both categories.

“7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” – John 16:7-11

Dispensationalists have succumbed to a lazy wait for the rapture approach to the ordinances and commands of Christ. One bad thing happens in the news, and they declare that we’re out of here any minute now, so why bother telling people about salvation in Christ Jesus. Many of them are useless in God’s redemptive plan.

Calvinists suffer from the same problem, but the reasoning is different. They think that if a person is predestined to salvation, why should they bother to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These are also useless in God’s redemptive plan.

Jesus is speaking (Above) to His disciples about the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Verse 9 is significant. The Holy Spirit convicts the lost sinner of sin for not believing on Jesus. This brings the lost sinner to realize their need for forgiveness from sin, which can only come by God through faith in Jesus Christ.

When a soul gets saved: it is given by the Father to the Son (John 6:37), Jesus died for them (Revelation 13:8, many others), saved them (Acts 4:12), and the Holy Spirit convicts them (John 16:8-9 above) when you (Mark 16:15) relate the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) bringing belief by faith through sharing scripture (Romans 10:17) with the hearer. I know that seems backward but hang in there.

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11

The Father isn’t suddenly surprised when you share the Gospel with a lost sinner, and neither is the Son. You don’t convince anybody of their need for salvation; the Holy Spirit does. Those being called already have the Holy Spirit bearing on their conscience (lay up earnest prayers for them about this); Jesus already died for them, and the Father has already given them; the witness, that’s you, comes along and tells them the truth.

Some are full of fear, having fallen into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31); others are just starting to hear from Him (John 3:9) while He makes them aware. They hear the Gospel from a witness; maybe they turn God-ward at that time, or perhaps you plant another good row laying down the seed that Holy God is using to build their initial faith, bringing conviction of their need for Christ. Then another perhaps sows more seed onto the good ground of their heart (Matthew 13:8), and another reaps.

Although there is no formula for salvation, it’s good to know God’s workings in the councils of heaven to understand the operation of God in salvation. We’re telling you this, not as an intellectual understanding, but that you might both pray in this knowledge and that you would be walking in the will of the Father as you share the good news of Christ Jesus. Don’t be discouraged by seed planting that is evidently (to you) without fruit. The Word of God does not return to Him void, but it prospers wherever He sends it (Isaiah 55:11). Folks have all kinds of testimonies, and myriad things may happen to bring awareness of God to a soul, but behind it all, the Almighty in three persons is doing as they will.

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” – John 6:37

Here are a few verses that explain the same essential things. All those given by the Father shall come to Christ. The first thing in the salvation of a lost sinner is that Holy Father God gave him to the Son for an inheritance (Psalm 2:7-8). Then, Jesus saves his soul because the Son knows all things whatsoever the Father has given Him (John 3:35). See also Matthew 11:27.

Jesus continues in John 6:38-40:

“39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:39-40

Jesus has ascended back to the right hand of Power and sent the Holy Spirit for several purposes, one of which is to reprove men of sin, which for the lost sinner means conviction of the heart and conscience for their sin. “Of sin, because they believe not on me” – John 16:9 from our text at the top. This conviction brings the lost sinner to his state of need for forgiveness.

Then, the lost sinner hears the Gospel, which is the good news of God’s way to be forgiven for sin, bringing salvation from the wrath of God, which, without Jesus, abides on all men (John 3:36). Further, He brings eternal life by the resurrection, “…I will raise him up at the last day.” The spiritual new birth is a type of the resurrection to come.

All disciples are witnesses for Jesus Christ. It’s not the only thing Christ’s disciples do. Still, we are commanded to do it under the Great Commission in Mark 16, Matthew 28. Right before Christ ascended, He told His disciples that the Holy Spirit’s arrival was imminent, and after that, they were to be witnesses of Him to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Maybe they’re saved, but when somebody claiming to be Christian will not witness for Jesus Christ, they declare before the throne of the Almighty and among men that they are, in fact, not Christ’s disciple. They may be a good Church member, or they may be a religionist of a type or even have some standing among a group of believers. But he also may have climbed up some other way (John 10:1) into the sheepfold. Those that belong to Christ Jesus hear His voice (John 10:27), and they know Him (John 10:14) that has commanded us to spread the good news of salvation unto all the people of every nation.

Without a growing body of Christ, the church is withering. Look around; there are more lost sinners than ever and fewer true converts. This situation is having a severely negative impact on your civilization. Your eschatology or teachings of your Church fathers have no bearing from which to derive an excuse for being a lazy or phony Christian. Go and make disciples.

“28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” – John 6:28-29

Perhaps the most valuable question asked anywhere in Scripture is, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” What a great question! Anybody asking a question such as is not far from the Kingdom of God.

Does Jesus tell them to keep the law? Does Jesus urge them to make their good deeds outweigh their bad? Does Jesus tell them to be good people or get baptized, or go to Temple (Church)? No on all counts! He tells them to believe on God, who sent the Son to be the propitiation for our sin and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Through Him, as manna fed those in the wilderness, you might be fed by the true bread, which is Christ come down from heaven to give life unto the world (John 6:33).

Believing in God is the first and necessary thing, faith in Christ who died for your sins, resurrected the third day, proving that in Him is life eternal and the way to Father God is before any work that God will accept (Hebrews 11:6). There is no more an essential thing than first having faith, for, without faith in Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

If you believe on Christ and purge yourself of inequity, turning away from ungodly men, God will make you a fit vessel (2 Timothy 2:21) unto good works but first, believe (John 6:46).

Then Jesus preached the Bread of Life to them (Starting in John 6:48), but sadly, many were offended and walked with Him no more. Many fall away, having rejoiced for a season, but when confronted with sound doctrine of who He is and the truth of what it’ll cost them to serve the Living God, they reject the King, put down their cross, turn back the things of this world, following Him no more into eternal life.