Page 13 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook

witnesses and testified are words related to a fact, not option, as in a courtroom setting. The terms are used
predominantly in the New Testament by the apostle John (77 out of their 113 occurrences are in John's gospel,
epistles, or Revelation).

John is probably called the Baptist because he was sent by God to baptize repentant sinners in preparation for
the Messiah's coming (1:31). Yet the purpose of all he did was to bear witness to Jesus (1:15, 23, 29, 32, 34, 36;
5:33, 36) so that all might believe through him. People believe in Christ (1:12; 3:18; 6:29) through the testimony
of witnesses like John. They are the agents of believe, but Christ is the object of belief. Salvation, then, as at all
times was a matter of faith in God and in what he said.

Notice verse seven, "that all might believe". John's ministry was not for a few specially predestined to be saved
as is the view of Calvinists, but for all. So, second Peter 3:9 says, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as
some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance. God wants them all.

God’s Story: John the Baptist

Unbelievers: Testimony Rejected

9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world
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was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own people
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did not receive Him.

There are several possible explanations to these verses. First, it could mean that the word incarnate is none
other than the fullest revelation of God who has already revealed himself in every human soul. (Romans 1:18 –
21; Ephesians 4:18) The phrase could also mean that Jesus is God's self-disclosure in the most glorious way for
every man who has seen Him or heard about Him or read His story. Though all men are spiritually dead
(Ephesians 2:1 – 3) and blind, they are accountable for the knowledge of God revealed in creation and
conscience (Romans 2:14 – 15). That Jesus came to his own can mean the world He created, or His particular
place and people.

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