The Gospel Project
Heaven to Earth UNIT 21: THE MINISTRY Session 4 24 MAY 26
JOHN 3:22-25 Dr. Herschel H. Hobbs in his book an exposition of the gospel of John, Baker Book House, 1968, pages 24-25 “If we had only the Synoptic record it would appear that Jesus did not begin His ministry until after the Baptist was imprisoned. When actually their ministries had run along side by side for at least many months. How great an interval intervened between Jesus' baptism and this first Passover is a matter of conjecture. But it certainly involved weeks and perhaps months.”
JOHN 3:26 John’s disciples were competitive and so asked John the Baptist about Jesus getting disciples that should be John’s based on the pretext of a theological question about purifying [which is the main basis for baptizing for the Jews.] Dr. Hobbs, page 89 “Apparently John's ministry was on the wane, as more and more people gathered about Jesus instead of about John. Theirs was a jealousy of loyalty on behalf of their teacher. A mistaken loyalty, but a loyalty nevertheless. Evidently they recalled Jesus' baptism but failed to catch the significance of John's witness to Him. It is hard for one to see his cause waning while that of another is increasing.”
JOHN 3:27 This is a way of saying Jesus was divine and he (John) was not. And that both were preach “repent and be baptized” as part of salvation.
JOHN 3:28-30 Dr. Hobbs, page 90 “John then reminded his disciples of his previous witness to Jesus (cf. 1:19 ff.). He had said, "I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him!' (v. 28). He was before him in historical sequence but not in eternal being or in degree of greatness. Here again John emphasized the negative by placing "not" (ouk) at the beginning of his statement.”
JOHN 3:31-36 Dr. Hobbs, page 91 “Here unquestionably is a commentary by the author of this Gospel with respect to John's words as well as those of Jesus spoken earlier in this chapter. Truly the One sent from heaven is above all, including John the Baptist, "a man sent from God" (1:6). John was "of the earth;" Jesus is "from heaven" (v. 31). Jesus' message is a true witness or testimony. It is what He has seen and heard (v. 32) . Yet men do not receive or believe His testimony. Even though crowds follow Him, He still knows their fickle nature. Only a few will truly trust Him and commit themselves to Him. But the one receiving Him puts his seal of approval upon the fact that God is true or that Jesus truly speaks God's message (v. 33).”
JOHN 3:36 This is a summary statement of JOHN 3:16-18. Eternal life becomes a present possession as soon as one believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior after they repent. Likewise, God's wrath remains on the unbeliever in the present. If they do not accept Jesus, the wrath becomes eternal.
So John the Baptist knew his role in the plan of salvation and he did it to the maximum. So should we.
APPLY THE WHOLE BIBLE BEFORE YOU STATE A DOCTRINE!
Best Study Guide: How to Study the Bible Principles with Bible, A Study Sources by Orin T. Binkley.
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