In the Beginning: John Lesson 2
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? That’s a question many debate but the answer to which few come into agreement. Which was in the beginning, Jesus, the light, or the Word?
Use the King James Bible for your responses. If you don’t have one, see our Materials section to order one or click on the following link for an online King James Bible: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/index.php
Please answer all questions and fill in the blanks as you proceed. Take time to “drink” in the Word and learn from the Scriptures. Print a hard copy of this teaching so you can more effectively learn and remember the precepts. Write us if you have questions: Restoration of the Family@gmail.com
- Consider another question. Which set of events came first, Genesis 1:1 or John 1:1? _________________ Why do you believe what you do?
In the Beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth, Genesis 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
We know that _______________ is the first book in the Old Testament and the gospel of __________ is the fourth book in the New Testament, so does that prove that the Genesis account happened before what is recorded in the gospel of John?_______________
The contextual answer is in verse 2 of John. This is where the facts from verse one are repeated to help us grasp the important answer: The same was in the beginning with God. John 1:2
This verse tells us that there were (at least) two separate “persons;” yet, both were/are one. The Word (Jesus) was not only eternally with God, but He is/was God. God and the Word existed before the creation of the Heaven and the earth.
- Who was in the beginning? ____________
- Who was with God in the beginning ____________
- Even though the Word was with God, what is the other important fact? … the Word _____ God. John 1:1
We’re also told that the spirit of God was there in the beginning: “… And the __________ of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2
Word has many meanings
We are accustomed to associate the term word as a common noun referring to groups of letters on a page or what we speak. However, contextually, in the New Testament, this group of letters, W o r d, is also a title/name for the person, Jesus Christ. Word is also a term for the cumulative text we call the Bible. The Bible is the Word of God. The words in the Bible are inspired by God but recorded by holy men that He chose to write the permanent record about the person and works of our LORD Jesus Christ:
For the prophecy [words in the Bible] came not in old time by the will of man: but _______________ of ________ spake [this includes both the spoken and recorded written Word] as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21
Context gives us important information.
What do John 1:14 and Matthew 1:23-25 tell us about the Word, Jesus Christ?
And the _________ 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
Don’t read over John 1:14 too quickly. It is an important proof Scripture that Jesus has always existed. What words tell us that fact? “And the ___________ was _________ flesh.” The Word has to have already existed in order for Him to have a change in condition: to be made flesh.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, _____________________. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him [married] his wife: And knew her not [had no sexual union] till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he [Joseph] called his name ____________. Matthew 1:23-25
Summary:
The Word was in existence before God created the Heaven and the earth (through His Word–Jesus Christ). The Word was made flesh, being supernaturally placed in the womb of a virgin named Mary by the Holy Ghost. Mary gave birth to her firstborn son whom Joseph called Jesus which means God with us.
What important contextual information is given by Luke about the conception of Jesus Christ (manifest in the flesh)?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The _______________________ shall come upon thee [Mary], and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35
This conception was not creating someone new but a different manifestation of the already existing God through the flesh of Jesus Christ.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: __________ was manifest in the flesh … 1 Timothy 3:16
Contextual Word Studies
1. Study the word beginning from the Bible.
Write a definition for the word beginning.
Contextually, what does the term beginning (in Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1-2) mean?
This word, beginning, is used 106 times in Old and New Testaments. Discover or review definitions of the term beginning by studying how it is used in the Bible. Do the uses of the word beginning all have the same meaning? Do they all match up with the definition you wrote above?
2. Complete the verses below. Write below each Scripture the contextual meaning of the word beginning.
The _________________ of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; Mark 1:1
But from the __________________ of the creation God made them male and female. Mark 10:6
And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry [Judea], ______________________ from Galilee to this place [throughout the whole country]. Luke 23:5
This ___________________ of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples ________________ on him. John 2:11
But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the ___________________, because I was with you. John 16:4
Look up other examples of the use of beginning in your Bible. Use a concordance as a guide to find them. If you don’t have a comprehensive concordance, use the following website for this purpose:
http://www.thekingsbible.com/BibleConcordance.aspx?dw=beginning
2. Study the word light from the Bible.
4. Study the word light from the Bible. Write a definition of light without looking at any resources.
5. What does the term light mean in Chapter one of the gospel of John, verses 4-9? Circle these uses in your Bible.
4 In him [Jesus] was life [eternal]; and the life was the ___________ of men. 5 And the ___________ shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [Jesus was/is the light that lost men and women rejected, the very One they needed in order to be saved. That same tragic thing is happening today. Millions are rejecting the Light.] 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the __________ , that all men through him [Jesus] might believe. 8 He [John the Baptist] was not that __________, but was sent to bear witness of that __________ [Jesus]. 9 That [Jesus] was the true ______________, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:4-9 However, the sad reality is that because God gives man the gift of choice, many reject the option “… to become the sons of God” because they refuse to …”believe on his name.” John 1:12
The word light is used 24 times in the gospel of John. Use your concordance to study each of these. Notice that from John 3:19-12:46 each of these occurrences of light are spoken by Jesus. For example: I am the light of the world; walk while ye have the light; I am come a light into the world …
Light is both physical and spiritual, depending upon the context. Additionally, Scripture can be both physical and spiritual at the same time.
We often properly interpret the physical aspect of Scripture but miss the spiritual application of what is being taught. Study the contextual differences between spiritual and physical light (and darkness). Notice how the meaning of the word light changes because of context.
As long as I [Jesus] am in the world, I [Jesus] am the __________ of the world. John 9:5
And this is the condemnation, that ____________ [Jesus/righteousness] is come into the world, and men loved ____________________ [sin] rather than __________, because their deeds were _________. For every one that doeth evil hateth the ___________, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. John 3:19-20
Those who continue in sin (Doeth indicates a continual action.) hate Jesus. Evil is often committed in secret, after the sun goes down (in darkness). That’s the physical application. Those who have affairs start them in secret–in darkness. They keep their evil lusts hidden. Thieves often wear masks to disguise their identity.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the _________ of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in _______________ [a sinful lifestyle], but shall have the__________ of life [Jesus/salvation]. John 8:12
When was light first mentioned in the Bible?
And God said, Let there be _____________: and there was light. Genesis 1:3
This was on the first day. This light was not from the sun, moon, or stars.
When were the sun, moon, and stars created?
And God said, Let there be __________ in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made ___________ great ____________ [the sun and the moon]; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also … And the evening and the morning were the _________________ day Genesis 1:14-16, 19
3. Study the word was from John 1:1.
Is there a difference in the contextual meaning of was within this verse?
In the beginning _________ the Word, and the Word ________ with God, and the Word ________ God. John 1:1
4. Study the word even from the Bible.
The word even is used hundreds of times in the Bible, but again, context determines its meaning. That’s why we cannot just look words up in a reference book. We must train ourselves to study the context to determine the correct meaning.
Write a definition of the word even.
Complete the following verses. Write under each Scripture the meaning of even. Why does your interpretation of even change in verse John 6:16?
John 3:13: And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, ______________ the Son of man which is in heaven. John 3:13
John 1:12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, __________ to them that believe on his name.
John 6:16: And when __________ was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea.
John 17:22: And the glory which thou gavest me [Jesus] I have given them; that they may be one, __________ as we are one [Jesus and God the Father].
5. Multiple relationships of Jesus in the first 13 verses of the gospel of John
- Jesus to time: John 1:1 In the beginning
- Jesus to the God: He was with God. Jesus was/is the revealer of God; yet, He is God Himself; the Word did not come into being. He was always with God. John 1:1-1:2
- Jesus’ relationship to the universe: 1:3: All things were made by Him; He was before all things.
- Jesus’ relationship to men: 1:4 Their light, their life
- Jesus’ relationship to John Baptist: Witness 6-9
- Jesus: reception on this earth: The World knew him not 1:10;His own (Israel) received him not 1:11;Some who received him 1:12,13
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