Sun., Oct. 10 Bible Class Notes — John 1:29-34

There are no notes for last week, Oct. 3, 2010, because we used our time together to discuss the feminization of the Church.

John 1:29-34  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.

v.29 This is "The next day."

The previous day John had spoken of one coming. Today he points out who that One is.

"Behold the Lamb of God"  

Isaiah 53:7  cf. Acts 8:32 (Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch)

Passover: Exodus 12:3-5

Morning and Evening sacrifice: Exodus 29:38-39

Sin offering: Leviticus 4:32-35 (see also v. 29)

"which taketh away the sin of the world."

take away

Jesus came to carry away the sin [singular] of the world;

JFB: The singular number being used to mark the collective burden and all-embracing efficacy.

Jesus removes the bone of contention between God and man.

Salvation is not about going to heaven; it is about having our sins forgiven and our being reconciled to God in Christ Jesus.

To what does world refer?

It does not of necessity refer to every individual that ever lived or shall live.

     At the least it refers to Gentiles in addition to Jews. It corrects the Jewish mindset that not only was salvation of the Jews but that it was restricted to them.

     The Jews used the term “world” in the same way we do. There’s the  Church and there’s the world.

vv. 30- cometh a man (Jesus is truly human in every respect of the word. Jesus was — and is — a man. He is the paradigm of manhood.

v. 31   refers to Jesus’ baptism about six weeks or so previous. John the Baptist did not know Jesus until God revealed him at his baptism

v. 32  “like” a dove, not a dove.

v. 34 Son of God — of the same substance/essence as the Father.  The Son of God means he was Divine; so the Jews understood it.