Introduction to the GOSPEL OF JOHN

The Gospel of John has a special importance to the New-Testament. Jesus commanded the apostles to teach all nations “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19,20). Here we see that Jesus’ own life and teaching, as recorded for us in the Gospels, is foundational to the rest of the New-Testament. As Jesus prepares the apostles for their ministry after He leaves, He predicts how the New-Testament will be written under the inspiration of the Holy-Spirit:

(1) “He will teach you all things, and bring all things (all the teaching of Jesus) to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you”(John 14:26). Thus the GOSPELS were written by the help of the Spirit.

(2) “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13a). This speaks of further truth the Spirit will reveal to the apostles. This truth is recorded in ACTS and theEPISTLES. It is truth that is built on the foundation of the personal teaching of Jesus, because the Spirit is sent from Jesus: “He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak” (John 16:13b).

(3) “and He will show you things to come” (John 16:13c). This was fulfilled by the BOOK of REVELATION, which completes God’s Word.

If we think of the New-Testament as a house of doctrine: 
(1) The four Gospels are the four foundation stones
(2) Acts forms the vertical walls, into which the rooms of the Epistles fit.
(3) Revelation is the roof, that goes on last, completing the house.

The Gospels show Jesus Christ from four distinct viewpoints, each with their own emphasis. The synoptics (Matthew, Mark and Luke) have many similarities. They teach Christ’s Deity, but focus more on His humanity (as seen in the genealogies). However, John is quite different and stands out from the rest. Written after the others, it rarely repeats them, but prefers to add material missed by the others. Johnemphasises the Deity of Christ (the Son of God), beginning with His Divine origin, rather than His human birth. Therefore John’s Gospel is the Cornerstone of the Foundation of the New-Testament! It is the place to begin because the other books (including the Gospels) find their rightful place in relation to it. In the Appendix, I show how this principle works out for the Chronology of Jesus’ Life.