John's Gospel was written expressly so that men would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they would have life through His name (John 20:31). It contains some of the clearest declarations of the deity of Christ and the way of salvation found anywhere in the Bible.
Jesus Is God
"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; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
— John 1:1–3
The Bible could not be any clearer. The Word (Jesus) was God. He was not created. He existed in the beginning with God and is God. All things were made by Him. This verse demolishes every teaching that reduces Jesus to a mere prophet, angel, or created being.
The Word Became Flesh
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
— John 1:14
God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. He is not half God and half man. He is fully God and fully man, the only begotten of the Father.
Everlasting Life Through Belief
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
— John 3:16
The most well-known verse in the Bible declares God's love, Christ's sacrifice, and the condition of salvation: belief. Whosoever believes on Him shall not perish but has everlasting life.
He That Believeth Is Not Condemned
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
— John 3:18
There are only two categories: those who believe and are not condemned, and those who refuse to believe and are condemned already.
He Has the Words of Eternal Life
"Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."
— John 6:68–69
When many turned away, Peter confessed what every soul must recognize: there is nowhere else to go. Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Before Abraham Was, I AM
"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."
— John 8:58
Jesus claimed the divine name "I AM" that God used to identify Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14. The Jews understood exactly what He was saying and tried to stone Him for blasphemy. Jesus was claiming to be God.
The Good Shepherd Gives His Life
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
— John 10:11
Eternal Security in Christ
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."
— John 10:28–30
Jesus promises eternal life, declares that no one can remove a believer from His hand, and then states plainly: "I and my Father are one."
The Resurrection and the Life
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."
— John 11:25–26
Jesus does not merely teach about the resurrection. He is the resurrection. He does not merely point to life. He is life itself.
The Exclusive Way to God
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
— John 14:6
Jesus did not say He is a way. He said He is THE way. Not one of many paths. The only path. No man comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ. Every religion that teaches otherwise contradicts Jesus Himself.
If Ye Had Known Me, Ye Had Known the Father
"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."
— John 14:7
Jesus told His disciples that to see Him is to see the Father. He is the visible revelation of the invisible God.
Thomas Calls Jesus God
"And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God."
— John 20:28
When Thomas saw the risen Christ, he declared "My Lord and my God." Jesus did not correct him. He accepted the worship because He is God.
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