Page 4 - The Gospel of John 1:1-5

and the plan of redemption. Between 27-36 AD, during the reign of

Pontius Pilate, John wrote to a Church in turmoil, where the first
generation of witnesses and Christians were dying out and the new
generation was taking over. He was filling in the gaps to give more

evidence and detail to prove Jesus was the Son of God. He presented

instructions and doctrine for a new generation of church leadership who
were not eyewitnesses.

During the writing of this Gospel, John and any Jews connected with the
new Christian sect were being severally harassed and/or had already been
expelled from the synagogue and other social arenas. This was a time of

tough, antagonistic Jewish persecution as well as persecution by Rome,
with Christians squeezed in the middle of an intolerant society. As a result

of the relentless persecution, certain Jews and Christians fled to Asia
Minor after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.

The main theme of John seems to be "evangelistic". Namely, that Jesus
had come to this world to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Secondly, to
enter the Kingdom, you would have to repent, believe, and trust in Christ

for life and salvation. This was not to be a ‘blind’ faith. Jesus performed
unprecedented signs and wonders and rose from the dead to prove the
validity of His claims. He is the "Logos," the Word, the Eternal God
Creator and Redeemer who condescended from the glory of heaven to

become the God-Man who would identify with us, pay our debt of sin,
and give us undeserved redemption. Jesus is the Supreme reason and the
only reason for the Hope we can now experience in Him and through Him.

Thus, John presents a vivid and colorful portrait of God through the
eternal and physical life of Christ. Painted with broad strokes of love and
compassion, it is clear to see this gospel is penned by the disciple that
Jesus loved, described in John 20. So, what is John’s goal? His goal is that

people of all nations, tongues, ethnicities, and religions will realize who
Jesus and live the life that Christ expects. We are to be living epistles to
be read of men and be an example to the world, just as faithfully as He

was. The result would be to come to the knowledge of a saving faith that