Lesson 3528

 (Lesson 3528)(08-31-21) John 5:32-47

    “There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”

    In today’s quote, Jesus scolded the Jews because of their failure to believe that He is the Son of God. Jesus also made the point that the Jews failed to heed His words and had rejected Him even knowing that John the Bapist, Moses and all the prophets had recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of our living God and had prophesied of His coming.~

Lesson 3527

 (Lesson 3527)(08-30-21) John 5:25-31

    “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus again declared himself to be the Son of God. The Son was granted power over all things by God the Father. Even the power to blot out all sin.

    At that time, Jesus was God in human form. Today, Jesus is God in the Spirit. ~ 

  

Lesson 3526

 (Lesson 3526)(08-29-21) John 5:16-24

    “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

    The first part of today’s quote relates how the Jews set about to kill Jesus because they thought He had broken the Sabbath by healing a lame man and because Jesus also professed that He is the Son of God and that He alone on earth has the power of God over all things. 

    The last part of the quote contains a very special promise from the Son of God to usward. In the last verse of the quote, Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH everlasting life, AND SHALL NOT come into condemnation; but IS PASSED from death unto life.”

    It is important to pay attention to the tenses that are applied in what Jesus said. The application of those tenses very effectively rebut the contention that a person can at one time be born again, then later be lost again.

    A person who has already attained “everlasting life”, cannot lose that life else it would not be “everlasting”.  A person who “shall not come into condemnation”, CANNOT, ever, be condemned. A person who “is passed from death unto life” CANNOT be dead again.~

Lesson 3525

 (Lesson 3525)(08-28-21) John 5:1-15

    “After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus healed the infirm man by the pool of Bethesda, telling him to “take up thy bed and walk”. Jesus also commanded that the man should sin no more.~ 

Lesson 3524

 (Lesson 3524)(08-27-21) John 4:43-54

    “Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus demonstrated how, by faith, miracles can happen. The nobleman’s son was healed simply because the man had faith in Jesus to heal him.

    That same power is with those of us who today believe in Jesus and His amazing saving power. ~

Lesson 3523

(Lesson 3523)(08-26-21) John 4:35-42

    “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus, by applying a metaphor, told the Samaritans that the time is right for His gospel to be spread to the world. He also related that those who reap the harvests are not necessarily the same ones who sowed it. Saying, in essence, that if we plant the seed someone else may pick the fruit. 

    The last part of the quote relates that there were many Samaritans who believed on Jesus and chose to follow Him.

    The same message that Jesus passed to those Samaritans still applies to us today. We are to diligently plant the word so that others reap the reward, which is eternal life.~ 

Lesson 3522

 (Lesson 3522)(08-25-21) John 4:31-34

    “ In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus made it clear to His apostles that doing the will of the Father is much more important that eating.~

Lesson 3521

 (Lesson 3521)(08-24-21) John 4:28-30

    “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.”

    In today’s quote, the Samaritan woman confessed to the men of the city that she believed that Jesus is indeed “the Christ”.~

Lesson 3520

 (Lesson 3520)(08-23-21) John 4:27

    “ And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

        Although both the Samaritans and the Jews traced their lineage to Abraham, (The Samaritans through Joseph, Ephraim and Mannasseh), those Jews who followed Jesus were stunned by the fact that Jesus was talking to a Samaritan woman because the Jews considered the Samaritans to be unclean and never associated with them.~

Lesson 3519

 (Lesson 3519)(08-22-21) John 4:20-26

    “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus made it clear to the Samaritan woman that soon (after His death, burial and resurrection) there would be no need for temples and altars. He also made it clear that God is a Spirit, and is not to be worshipped through and by physical things such as material offerings, but rather He is to be worshipped in spirit.

    Jesus also let it be known to the Samaritan woman that He is the Messiah.

Lesson 3518

 (Lesson 3518)(08-21-21) John 4:15-19

    “ The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.” 

    In today’s quote the woman at the well, not fully understanding what Jesus meant by “living water”, asked Him to give her that water. Jesus, in turn, let her know that He knew everything about her, including that she had had five husbands. The woman, being surprised that Jesus knew about her, called Jesus a prophet.~ 

Lesson 3517

 (Lesson 3517)(08-20-21) John 4:4-14

    “ And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus described the figurative “living water” within which the lost are to be immersed in order to be eternally saved.~ 

Lesson 3516

 (Lesson 3516)(08-19-21) John 4:1-3

    When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee."”

     NOTE: It is very important to understand that lines in the Bible which  appear in parentheses, were NOT included in the original texts. They were added by the men who transliterated the original text into English.

    Today’s quote states, in parenthesis, that Jesus did not baptize anyone into water, such as did John the Baptist. Jesus did indeed baptize. However, the baptisms He performed were accomplished by His message. Jesus immersed those who believed in Him into His word, not water.

    The apparent confusion as to whether or not Jesus baptized in water, as it appears in today’s quote. Was caused by the confusion among the transliterators over the definition and intent of the Greek word ‘baptizo’ from which the word “baptize” was transliterated. 

    Transliteration is the act of creating a sound-alike word to replace the word being transliterated. (Transliteration DOES NOT always forward the definition or intent of the transliterated word.)  

    The word baptizo, as it was applied in the original Greek language, simply means to immerse one thing into something else leaving it there in order to alter the state of the item or person, being ‘baptizoed’. The word baptizo, DOES NOT NOW, nor did it EVER, imply that water should always be the medium into which a person, or thing, should be immersed.”

Lesson 3515

 (Lesson 3515)(08-18-21) John 3:25-36

    “ Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

    In today’s quote, John the Baptist related that it is indeed Jesus Christ who was sent down from heaven and that, not himself, but Jesus alone has the power to lift up and save the souls of the lost.

    This account of the gospel of Christ, again, references Jesus as having “baptized” the people. Knowing that Jesus DID NOT baptize (immerse) anyone into water, this is yet another confirmation that the “baptisms” that Jesus DID, and DOES still perform, are the soul saving baptisms into His gospel.~

Lesson 3514

 (Lesson 3514)(08-17-21) John 3:22-24

    “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison.”

    There is a very important point that was made in today’s quote concerning the application and intent of the transliterated word, baptism, and more speciffically, water baptism. 

    The author of John’s account of the gospel wrote in today’s quote, “there he tarried with them, AND BAPTIZED.” In the quote, the author clearly established that Jesus performed what has been transliterated from the Greek as “baptisms”, whatever that word might indicate as it is applied in the quote. 

    Our challenge, as students of the New Testament, is to determine just what kind of baptisms (immersions) Jesus actually administered.

    There being NO record of Jesus having ever baptized (immersed) anyone in water, we can reasonably assume that the baptisms Jesus is said here to have performed, can be defined simply as Jesus having overwhelmed his listeners with the word of God. It is my belief that Jesus simply baptized (immersed) his listeners in the truth of God’s word.

    The above difinition and intent of the transliterated word “baptism”, as it is applied therein, is precisely the same as the meaning and intent of the word “baptizing”, a grammatical variation of the same term that is applied in Matthew 28:19: which says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. 

    The final instructions that Jesus gave His apostles, as recorded in Matthew 28:19, and Mark 16:16, DO NOT imply that the lost are to be immersed into water, those instructions commanded that the lost were to be baptized (immersed) INTO the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, namely the Holy Triune of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. 

    This determination is made more credible by Jesus having said the following phrase, “teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you.~

NOTE: There will be more discussion of the difinition and intent of the transliterated word “batpize” as these lessons progress.  

Lesson 3513

 (Lesson 3513)(08-16-21) John 3:19-21

    “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus came into a world that was in darkness and condemned just as it is today. He, living a sinless life, then dying on the cross, provided a perfect sacrifice for the sins of those who will believe in Him. His blood gave the world a means by which we can avoid that inherent condemnation. In order to overcome that condemnation, a lost soul must simply accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ completely, and follow Him.~

Lesson 3512

 (Lesson 3512)(08-15-21) John 3:16-18

    “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

    Today’s quote begins with one of the most quoted passages to be found in the bible. It also, very specifically relates how a person can attain eternal life. 

    It is important to note that although the quote gives explicit information as to how one can be reborn in the spirit. It also relates what happens to those who choose to reject the grace of God that comes through Jesus Christ crucified. "He that believeth NOT is condemned already"~

Lesson 3511

 (Lesson 3511)(08-14-21) John 3:14-15

    “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

    Today’s quote references Moses having raised up a snake on a pole so that the Jews, who were in the middle of a plague of serpents, could come, and in faith, simply look upon the snake and be saved for the deadly effects of it’s poisonous venom.

    Jesus came and was lifted up to be crucified so that anyone can come to Him in faith and be saved from a certain eternal damnation that has already been determined because of the sin they bear.

    Just as looking upon the snake, in faith, saved the Jews of Moses day from it’s bite, those of us whom have put our faith in Jesus crucified, have been spiritually reborn and eternally saved from all sin. Our sins have been replaced with the righteousness of Jesus Himself as we appear before God, the Father.

    When a lost soul believes in Jesus, that soul is no longer charged with sin, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his (God’s) seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9)~

Lesson 3510

 (Lesson 3510)(08-13-21) John 3:13

    “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus said that He had come down from heaven but was still in heaven. This passage is clarified by the fact the Jesus, the Son, and God, the Father are one with the power to be anywhere at anytime in any form.~

Lesson 3509

 (Lesson 3509)(08-12-21) John 3:7-12

      “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”

    Today’s quote again verifies that the rebirth that Jesus related to Necodemus was a rebirth that cannot be seen, it is NOT a rebirth that can be accomplished by water immersion because it is a rebirth of the Spirit. A renewal made possible by faith in the virgin born life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 3508

 (Lesson 3508)(08-11-21) John 3:1-6

    “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to be eternally saved and freed from all sin, one must be “born again.” 

    Knowing that we cannot be physically reborn of our mothers, we must accept that the rebirth Jesus was referring to is a rebirth of the spirit. He made that clear in the last verse of the quote when he said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

    There are many who erroneously contend that when Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit”, He meant that one must be baptized (immersed) into water. That is a non starter if we note what Jesus actually said and how He said it. In the acknowledgement Jesus made, He placed the “water” birth before the birth of the “spirit”. There are only two births mentioned in the quote, NOT three. That tells us that when Jesus made the reference to a water birth, He was referring to one’s original physical birth. (Important to note that a woman’s “water” must break before giving birth). Jesus was making the point that there are two distinctly different births as they pertain to attaining eternal life. one physical, and one spiritual.

    In order for there to be a requirement for water baptism, (Immersion), in what Jesus said, in order to be eternally saved, there would need to be three births, one natural, physical birth, one rebirth in water, and a rebirth of the spirit. We know that can’t be true. As the quote is written, there is ONLY the natural physical birth, and the rebirth of one’s spirit.~

Lesson 3507

 (Lesson 3507)(08-10-21) John 2:12-25

    “After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus cleared the temple of the Jew who had turned it into “a den of thieves”. The quote also relates that Jesus bagan teaching of his own divine mission, His death, burial and resurrection, while working miracles causing many to come to believe in Him.~

Lesson 3506

 (Lesson 3506)(08-09-21) John 2:1-11

    “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus performed His first miracle by changing water into wine.~

Lesson 3505

 (Lesson 3505)(08-08-21) John 1:43-51

    “ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus continued selecting His twelve apostles. It is again worthy of note that John’s account of those events is altogether different than the other three: However, none of the disagreement in the text takes away from the validity of the soul saving gospel message that Jesus brought.~

Lesson 3504

 (Lesson 3504)(08-07-21) John 1:40-42

    “ One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”

    Today’s quote relates the first meeting between Jesus and Peter the man who Jesus renamed “Cephas”.

    The John account of the first meeting between Jesus and Peter is totally different form the accounts of Matthew, Mark or Luke. It is very important to consider the variations that occur between the gospel accounts as we try to ‘rightly divide the word of truth.’ When all the accounts are given a thorough comparison study, we find that the intent of all the gospels are the same and bear no major contradictions in that intent. 

    Matthew 4:18, “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.”

     Mark 1:16-18, “ Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.”

    “Luke 5:1-11, “And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.”

Lesson 3505

 (Lesson 3503)(08-06-21) John 1:35-39

    “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.”

    Today’s quote relates that after John recognized Jesus as “the Lamb of God”, he and two of his followers followed Jesus to His home.~

Lesson 3502

 (Lesson 3502)(08-05-21) John 1:29-34

    “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”

    In today’s quote, John explained his reason for preaching his divinely inspired message to the Jews. God told John that he would recognize Jesus when he saw the Spirit decending and remaining upon Him.

    God sent John to baptize the Jews in water because it was required of all practicing Jews to be baptized (immersed or bathed) in water before they were able to repent of their sins. John said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto (toward) repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire”

    Today’s quote AGAIN confirms that water baptism has nothing to do with the spiritual rebirth that is required in order attain eternal salvation.

    It is the a baptism (immersion) in to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ that renews the eternal spirit of man, that baptism is accomplished by having absolute faith in that same Jesus Christ. “For as many of you as have been baptized (immersed) INTO Christ (NOT WATER) have put on Christ”

Lesson 3501

 (Lesson 3501)(08-04-21) John 1:19-28

    “And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

    Today’s quote relates John the Baptist identifying himself to the Pharisees as a man sent from God the pave the way for the coming of the Messiah. 

    John said, in no uncertain terms, that he had come to, first, advise the Jews of the coming of the Messiah, and, to immerse the willing in water as a preparatory ritual toward repentance as was required by the old Jewish laws. 

    The phrase, “the baptism of John, as it is often applied in the New Testament, refers to the water immersion ritual John the Baptist administered, as well as the message he brought concerning the coming of Jesus. 

    The two parts of “the baptism of John” are not always mutually inclusive. That phrase, “the baptism of John, is used in many New Testament passages to simply define the message John brought without consideration for the water immersions he oversaw: Further, the phrase can, in some applications, only be in reference to the water immersions that John administered.

    Knowing where to apply this distinction is paramount to a complete and accurate bible study.~

Lesson 3500

 (Lesson 3500)(08-03-21) John 1:14-18

    “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” 

    In today’s quote, John sanctified Jesus as the absolute Messiah, the Son of God, indeed the perfection of God in the flesh.~

Lesson 3499

 (Lesson 3499)(08-02-21) John 1:12:13

    “ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

    Today’s quote is one of the most meaningful, that can be found in the Bible, to those of us who have accepted Christ as our redeemer and mediator before God.

    It also is one of the greatest promises to those who have not yet believed. It is also worthy of note that there are no rituals to perform or hoops to jump through to gain eternal assurance of salvation. One must simply “believe on his name”.~

Lesson 3498

 (Lesson 3498)(08-01-21) John 1:6-11

    “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

    Today’s quote relates John’s account of the appearance of John the Baptist. It also describes his divine mission as he was sent from God. 

    John the Baptist was not sent to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, but rather, he was sent to prepare his Jewish brothers and sisters for the fact that Jesus, the Messiah, was soon to appear.

    The last part of the quote relates that the Jews rejected Jesus.~