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John Chapter 1 Study Notes

The Gospel of John is very different from the other Gospels, because it shows Jesus’ heart and in turn God’s heart

 Gospel of Matthew – The Promised Messiah, the one who fulfills prophecy
Gospel of Mark – The Obedient Servant, note the wording (very action oriented)
Gospel of Luke – Son of Man, he lived among men, an exemplary historical narrative
Gospel of John – Son of God, if you know Jesus then you know the Father
 
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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 any thing 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
.

Jesus was with God in the beginning
He was the physical manifestation of God in this world
In him was life, which was the light of men, which was to shine in their darkness, but they did not comprehend 
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11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 He came unto the Jewish people at that time, but most did not receive him
Those that do though, he empowers to become sons of God, those that believe on him
These become born of God (not by blood, not by will of flesh or will of man)
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17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 Moses gave the law, the 10 commandments, but this is only a placeholder for something greater
Truth and Grace, a fuller revelation of God, comes by Jesus Christ
Rules and Regulations are not enough, God’s true nature is more than just that.  God has a heart for forgiveness that following the Law alone cannot comprehend
 
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29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33And 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.
34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

 John provides witness, that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world
This points to God’s Grace, and true nature, which the Pharisees could not comprehend
John baptizes with water, but sees the Holy Spirit descending from Heaven and abiding upon Jesus
Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost (not just a cleansing, but something more)
Think Son of God as like the representative of God, the one who comes to tell you what God is really all about
 
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47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
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.

 
I’ve always found this  passage amusing.  Nathanael is impressed with so little.  Jesus has much greater things in store.