Christian Salvation:
Jesus & The Gospel of John
Question: Does the Gospel of John identify Jesus as Saviour?
--------------------------------------------------
Overview
The identity of Jesus as Saviour in the New Testament is linked to what the Old Testament says about sin, priests and sacrifices. According to the Law of Moses, a priest was a divinely appointed individual who was responsible (among other things) for offering blood sacrifices to God for the atonement (forgiveness) of sins. Jesus, in the New Testament, fulfils the roles of priest and sacrifice as Jesus officiates before God in making atonement for the sins of humanity. It is in this sense that Jesus is Priest, Sacrifice and Saviour.
The Gospel of John: Jesus said three important things about his death and resurrection in the Gospel of John.
-
First, Jesus said that he will die and after three days be raised to life (2:13-22, 12:1-8 & 15:12-13). In other words, the death of Jesus will be followed by the resurrection of Jesus on the third day. Jesus also said that he will raise himself from death (2:13-22 & 10:1-21).
-
Second, Jesus said that his death will be sacrificial and will atone for human sin (3:1-21, 6:25-59, 8:31-38, 10:1-21, 12:20-36, 12:37-50 & 18:1-14). In other words, the death of Jesus will establish a New Covenant or agreement between God and humanity for the forgiveness of sins. This is why John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, identified Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God’ who ‘takes away the sin of the world’ (1:29-37), why John repeatedly said that ‘eternal life’ (life with God) comes through Jesus (3:16-18, 3:35-36 & 20:30-31) and why the Samaritans referred to Jesus as the ‘Saviour’ of the world (4:1-42). In addition, Jesus identified himself as the ‘resurrection’ and the source of ‘life’ for all who believe (4:1-42, 5:31-47, 6:25-59, 10:1-21, 10:22-39, 11:17-27, 14:1-7 & 17:1-5, see also 16:16-22).
-
Third, Jesus said that his death and resurrection will fulfil Old Testament prophecy (3:1-21, see also 1:43-51, 5:31-47 & 17:11-12). In other words, the Messiah’s death and resurrection were foreshadowed and foretold in the Old Testament. This is also confirmed by John (2:13-22, 12:37-50, 19:23-24, 19:28-37 & 20:1-10) as well as the disciples of Jesus (1:43-51).
These events were fulfilled as Jesus predicted (John 18-21), and the resurrection of Jesus was confirmed by several post-resurrection appearances of Jesus (20:1-18, 20:19-23, 20:24-29 & 21:1-14).
--------------------------------------------------
Bible Passages
John 1:29-37
(29) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (30) This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ (31) I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
(32) Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. (33) And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ (34) I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
(35) The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. (36) When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
(37) When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.