So You May Believe
Jesus' miracles are intended to testify to his deity and messianic identity
These twenty chapters of John are a masterpiece of literary construction. They are artistically designed like a symphony yet pointedly focused; simplistically worded for the reader yet intensely complex in meaning; and dramatically engaging in the stories yet very deliberate in the speech presentation. The Gospel is a marvel of inspired writing. And its concluding two verses sum up its purpose in what has to be one of the great classic summations of biblical literature.
These twenty chapters of John are a masterpiece of literary construction. They are artistically designed like a symphony yet pointedly focused; simplistically worded for the reader yet intensely complex in meaning; and dramatically engaging in the stories yet very deliberate in the speech presentation. The Gospel is a marvel of inspired writing. And its concluding two verses sum up its purpose in what has to be one of the great classic summations of biblical literature.95
There is one sure and infallible guide to truth, and therefore one, and only one, corrective for error, and that is the Word of God.
G. CAMPBELL MORGAN
I) The miracles of the Lord Jesus were recorded so we may believe (30-31).
Believe what?
Believe he is the Christ, the Son of God (v. 30).
Believe for what reason?
By believing you have eternal life in his name (v. 31).
the purpose for writing this Gospel was not meant to be “a mere academic exercise.” The selection was clearly made with a view to engendering a life-transforming response.102 Thus the purpose can be interpreted as both evangelistic and instructional in nature.103
the purpose for writing this Gospel was not meant to be “a mere academic exercise.” The selection was clearly made with a view to engendering a life-transforming response.102 Thus the purpose can be interpreted as both evangelistic and instructional in nature.103
the purpose for writing this Gospel was not meant to be “a mere academic exercise.” The selection was clearly made with a view to engendering a life-transforming response.102 Thus the purpose can be interpreted as both evangelistic and instructional in nature.103
Even if John’s purpose is primarily evangelistic, it must be admitted that throughout the history of the church this Gospel has served not only as a means for reaching unbelievers but as a means for instructing, edifying and comforting believers.
John’s purpose is not academic. He writes in order that men and women may believe certain propositional truth, the truth that the Christ, the Son of God, is Jesus, the Jesus whose portrait is drawn in this Gospel. But such faith is not an end in itself. It is directed toward the goal of personal, eschatological salvation: that by believing you may have life in his name. That is still the purpose of this book today, and at the heart of the Christian mission (v. 21).
Marvel not that we say unto you, Ye must be born again. You must be joined to Christ, for Christ is the life. Suppose it were possible for a dead limb to be joined into a living body so completely that all the veins should receive the purple tide of living blood,—suppose bone to join on to bone, and sinew to sinew, and nerve to nerve,—do you not see that that limb, however dead before, would become a living limb? Before, it was cold and stiff and motionless, and full of corruption; now it is warm and pliable, and full of life and motion. It is a living limb, because joined on to that which is life. Or, suppose it possible for a withered branch to be grafted into a living vine so completely that all the channels should receive the flow of the generous sap, do you not see that that branch, however dead before, becomes a living branch? Before, it was dry and fruitless and withered; now, it is full of sap, of life, and vigour. It is a living branch, for it is joined to the vine, which is its life. Well, then, just in the same way, Christ is the life of every soul that cleaves to Him. He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit. Is your soul like a dead limb—cold, stiff, motionless, and full of corruption? Cleave you to Christ, be joined to Him by faith, and you shall be one spirit,—you shall be made warm and vigorous and full of activity in God’s service.
Wrap up:
A great many learned men are defending the gospel; no doubt it is a very proper and right thing to do. Yet I always notice that, when there are most books of that kind, it is because the gospel itself is not being preached. Suppose a number of persons were to take it into their heads that they had to defend a lion, a full-grown king of beasts! There he is in the cage, and here come all the soldiers of the army to fight for him. Well, I should suggest to them, if they would not object, and feel that it was humbling to them, that they should kindly stand back, and open the door, and let the lion out! I believe that would be the best way of defending him, for he would take care of himself; and the best “apology” for the gospel is to let the gospel out.
CHARLES SPURGEON