CHAPTER THREE

JESUS PRESENTS HIMSELF

THE TESTIMONY OF THE WITNESSES

In the Gospel of John we find Jesus presenting himself to the public for their consideration. After each presentation John carefully records the testimony of the eye witness. Your author has compiled and condensed these stories, and sometimes put them in his own words, so the reader can quickly move from one testimony to the next and gather just the facts necessary to prove or disprove the claims.

JOHN THE BAPTIST: (John 1:24-34)¹
The Pharisees asked, “John, who is that person over there?” John replied, “Let me tell you, --a couple months ago when I was baptizing in the Jordan River my cousin Jesus walked up to me. I recognized him as my cousin, and I knew he was a great man, but I had no idea at that time, he was the son of God. After I baptized him he stood there for a minute or two, praying, and I saw a dove descending. It got lower and lower, it looked like it was going to hit one of us and then it spread its wings and gently glided down and rested on Jesus and it stayed there! I was so amazed that I just stared at it. Then all of a sudden I remembered what God had told me earlier. God had told me, ‘The one on whom the spirit descends will baptize with the Holy Ghost.’ ----No one can baptize with the Holy Ghost except God himself. ---- And then I realized, this, my cousin, is the one God was speaking about! Wow!! And then I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.’ ‘I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God!’”

John the Baptist was convinced that Jesus was the son of God because:

 God promised that the Spirit would descend on and remain with the one He was indicating.

 John saw the dove descend and stay with Jesus.

 John heard the voice of God identifying Jesus as His son.

John the Baptist testified, “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”

JOHN’S DISCIPLES:²

Notice the different reactions to the claim that Jesus was the Lamb of God.

 Andrew listened to John the Baptist’s recommendation, followed Jesus, and brought his brother to him.

 Philip talked to Jesus and was called by Jesus. Philip brought Nathanael to him.

 Godly Nathanael reacted violently, he said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”  But was convinced after a few words from Jesus.

 Unreliable Peter came silently to Jesus.

After meeting Jesus:

ANDREW TESTIFIED, “We have found the Messiah” John 1:41.

Philip testified, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote” John 1:45.

Nathanael testified, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” John 1:49.

PETER TESTIFIED, “...you have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” John 6:68,69; Matthew 16:16.

JESUS’ MOTHER MARY:³

Jesus mother was so convinced that Jesus was superhuman that she told the servants to follow

Jesus’ orders regarding more wine, even when she knew that the wine supply had diminished.

STUDY GUIDE

CHAPTER THREE

1. What three things convinced John the Baptist that Jesus was the son of God?

2. When Andrew heard John the Baptist recommended Jesus, what did he do?

3. When Philip heard John the Baptist’s recommendation of Jesus, what did he do?

4. What did Nathanael say about Nazareth?

5. What did Andrew testify about Jesus?

6. What did Philip testify about Jesus?

7. What did Nathanael testify about Jesus?

8. What did Peter testify about Jesus?

9. What did Jesus’ mother’s words say about her confidence in Jesus?

10. What would you testify about Jesus?

You Can Positively know Jesus is God

JesusIsGodHome

ClaimsOfJesus

TestingTestimony

TestimonyOfPagans, Jews,Christians

JesusPresentsSelf

Nicodemus

SamaritanWoman

RoyalOfficer

TestimonyOfMultitude

TestimonyManBornBlind

WhyTheyRejectedJesus

DidJesusReallyDie

DidJesusRaiseFromDead

 TestingTestimonyConclusion

Lessons

EndNotes