Gospel 1-5. Scripture Study/Questions

Scripture Study/Question Discussion

Read the passage "1 John 1-18" and then discuss the following questions together.

1. "In the beginning was the Word", what does "Word" mean? (I 1-2)

A. The Word is the words of God's mouth. The Old Testament states that all things were created through the Word of God (cf. Gen. 1:3; Ps. 33:6), and that "the Word" is the message to man through the prophets (cf. Hos. 1:2), as well as God's law and His divine standard (cf. Ps. 119:11). Only at the end does John make it clear how the Word became flesh, the Lord Jesus, who lives in the midst of the world. He further implies that the Lord Jesus is a better demonstration of the mind of God than the Law (-17-18). (See Reference 4 of this lesson.)

2. John often mentions "light", "this life is the light of men", and we can say: "this light is the life of men", what does "light" mean (I:4)? What does "light" mean (i. 4)?

A. "Light" serves to illuminate and to drive away darkness. The word "darkness" represents filthiness, which has a sinful connotation. Spiritual darkness is the separation of man from God and his inability to have fellowship with Him. John's point is that the Word of God has always revealed the direction of life to the creation. (See Reference 5 for this lesson.)

3. What does John point out about the world's reaction to light? Try to describe the results of the different reactions (I.5-13).

答：世人的反应有两种：抗拒或接受。“光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不接受光。”人在伊甸园犯罪之后，就活在黑暗里。“光照在黑暗里”，表示神主动地寻找失丧的人，不是在黑暗里的人主动去寻找光。“照”的原文采用现在式动词(linear present active indicative)，指光一直都照在黑暗里，从来没有熄灭过。可惜，活在黑暗罪恶里的人，情愿继续活在黑暗里，拒绝接受光。他们也因此无法脱离罪恶的辖制与刑罚。 而接受的人就拥有神的生命和作神儿女的特权。这种生命与人世间的生命截然不同（一13）。在犹太人看来，名字代表整个人；所以“信祂名”就是信靠主耶稣本人。

4. What was the purpose of the "Word made flesh"?

A: Although the Lord Jesus is God in eternity and the Creator at the time of creation, He became flesh and man when He descended to earth. In eternity, He is God, invisible and untouchable. But when He came into the world and became flesh, He became visible and tangible, allowing people to touch and know Him. This is God showing His love to the world and His desire to be with humanity. "The Word became flesh," dwelt among mankind, and came with grace and truth. To be more precise, He is God's grace and truth. The authors of the four Gospels did not merely "discuss" grace, but rather wanted people to know from the Lord Jesus' actions that He is God, full of grace and truth, and that the glory of Christ is revealed.

5. If those who believe are children of God, why is Jesus the only begotten Son of God (I:14-18)?

A: The identity of the Lord Jesus cannot be fully understood in terms of an interpersonal relationship. The Lord Jesus is both the "only begotten Son" and the "firstborn Son" of God the Father. John's reference to the only begotten Son means that the Lord Jesus is a true reflection of God the Father (1:14), and is the only way to help people rebuild their relationship with God; he is also a model for the world to establish a father-son relationship with God. The Bible also calls the Lord Jesus the firstborn, not only to emphasise the transcendence of the Lord Jesus Christ, but also to show that He will lead many of God's children into the glory of God (Rom. 8:29).

6. In summary, what does the passage teach us about who the Lord Jesus is?

Answer: (1) Before the universe was created, the Lord Jesus coexisted with God; (2) The Lord Jesus is the Creator; (3) He became a man and took the initiative to contact us; (4) He is the light, giving people direction in life; (5) Only through the Lord Jesus can people establish a relationship with God; (6) The Lord Jesus is full of grace and truth, enabling people to experience God's presence.

7. Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God? In what ways do you hope you can increase your knowledge of the Lord Jesus?

A: Even the disciples who lived with the Lord Jesus for three years could not fully understand God. We can know Him today through the four Gospels, which should be more comprehensive; and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we should seek to know the Lord more deeply, instead of stopping at the beginning of knowing the truth. Please share your own experiences.