Introduction: 1 John

         Author: John, son of Zebedee and the brother of James

• John is the author of 5 books of the NT
• Strong similarities between the Gospel of John and 1 John support

1 John 1:1–3 (ESV) —

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

• What is the author's claim? An eyewitness: seen, heard and touched (this would be someone very close)
• There are a lot of first person references (use of "I"), especially in chapter 2
• Additionally chapter 2 is very authoritative
• Review / read chapter 2
• There are at least 51 parallel passages between the gospel of John and 1 John
• "of the devil" and "from the beginning"

1 John 3:8 (ESV) —

8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

John 8:44 (ESV) —

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

• "from the world"

1 John 2:16 (ESV) —

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1 John 4:5 (ESV) —

5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.

John 8:23 (ESV) —

23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

John 15:19 (ESV) —

19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

• "walk in darkness:

1 John 1:6 (ESV) —

6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

1 John 2:11 (ESV) —

11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

John 8:12 (ESV) —

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 (ESV) —

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

• "dead"

1 John 3:14 (ESV) —

14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

John 5:25 (ESV) —

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

• "the savior of the world"

1 John 4:14 (ESV) —

14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

John 4:42 (ESV) —

42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

• Life in the Son of God

1 John 5:11–12 (ESV) —

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

John 1:4 (ESV) —

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 14:6 (ESV) —

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

• There are some common words which are only found in John and 1 John
• There are also common words between the three letters
• 2 John

2 John 7 (ESV) —

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

1 John 2:23 (ESV) —

23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

1 John 4:2 (ESV) —

2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

• Also 3 John

3 John 11 (ESV) —

11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

1 John 3:10 (ESV) —

10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

1 John 4:4 (ESV) —

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:7 (ESV) —

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

• External evidence also exists (most written in early 2nd century)
• Didache ("how-to manual for the early church")
• Clement of Rome
• Epistle of Barnabas
• Polycarp
• Papias (knew John and was born in AD 60, makes specific references to the Johannine leter and is also cited in Eusebius

"1 THERE are extant five books of Papias, which bear the title Expositions of Oracles of the Lord. Irenæus makes mention of these as the only works written by him, in the following words: “These things are attested by Papias, an ancient man who was a hearer of John and a companion of Polycarp, in his fourth book. For five books have been written by him.” These are the words of Irenæus."

• Date and Place of writing
• Irenaeus wrote that John publish a gospel during his residence in Ephesus in Asia. He remained there until the time of Trajan (AD 98-117)
• It is reasonable to assume that he also wrote the letters at that time
• This puts the date between 85-100 AD
• This is also based on the assumption that adequate time is needed for the growth of certain false teaching
• Since 1 and 2 John address Christological errors that may have resulted from a misinterpretation of the gospel of John, we would assume the gospel came first
• The Occasion of 1 John
1. To combat false teachers

1 John 2:19 (ESV) —

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

1 John 4:1–3 (ESV) —

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

1. Doctrinally
2. Morally

1 John 2:3–4 (ESV) —

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

3. Socially

1 John 2:9 (ESV) —

9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

2. To reassure believers
1. There a numerous assurances

1 John 5:13 (ESV) —

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

 



 

• The purpose of 1 John (Akin, D.L., 2001)

 

1. “We write this to make our joy complete” (1:4).

      (To promote true joy in the child of God)

2. “I write this to you so that you will not sin” (2:1).

      (To prevent the child of God from committing sin)

3. “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray” (2:26)

      (To protect the child of God from false teachers)

4. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know you have eternal life” (5:13).

      (To provide assurance of salvation for the child of God)

Akin, D. L. (2001). 1, 2, 3 John (Vol. 38, pp. 31–32). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

 

• Theology (key ideas)
• The Doctrine of God
• God is light 1:5
• God is love 4:8
• The Doctrine of Sin
• Sin is universal and comprehensive
• Every person is a sinner and sins (1:8,10)
• The Doctrine of Christ
• Multiple references to Jesus as the word, the Son of God, and the Christ
• The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
• The Spirit is the witness to a believer concerning the true teaching about Jesus the Christ (2:27, 5:7)
• The Doctrine of Salvation
• The Doctrine of Eschatology

 

• Canonicity was never questioned in the early church
• Outline

 

 



 

Screen clipping taken: 7/4/2026 9:08 AM

 



 

 

A very simple outline



 (Constable)

 

John 3:5 Baptism Discussion among Friends

JR: What "water" do you think Jesus is referring to in John 3:5? Birth? Or baptism? Im sure yall will say birth, but id like to confirm, and not assume.

 

JC: I am not a theologian, which means that I don't know for sure.

 

However, I always understood that phrase in John 3:5 to mean either baptism or the cleansing of salvation (John 4:14 / John 7:38). I tend to lead towards the latter because Jesus is the living water, and in John 3:5, water is mentioned before being filled with the spirit. Only salvation is required for the Holy Spirit to enter us. Not the best example, because Pentecost hadn't happened yet, but the thief on the cross was never baptized, and Jesus said that the thief would be with Him in paradise.

 

While I don't really know the correct answer, I do appreciate that you made me think about God. 😀

 

JR: Great points.

Ive been doing research. I heard a brother at church say he believes born of water means birth, but I'm finding myself disagreeing. To me, that is basically saying that if you are an unborn child, you obviously haven't been born by water and you cannot enter the kingdom.

So after doing a little research, I came across an interesting "theory".

 

God says in Ezekiel 36:25-27

25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

 

Then in Isaiah 52:15 God says,

"so shall he sprinkle many nations.

Kings shall shut their mouths because of him,

for that which has not been told them they see,

and that which they have not heard they understand."

 

it talks about Jesus "sprinkling" (possibly of this clean water) many nations which I believe its referring to redemption and not salvation of course, but It's very interesting to think about some sort of correlation perhaps.

 

Also, something els I have been looking into, funny enough you mention it. As far as the thief goes..

baptism before Jesus' death, burial and resurrection was different from baptism after it happened. How could Jews be baptized in Jesus' death and raised up in a newness of life(resurrection) when none of this has happened yet? The new covenant hadn't started until Jesus said "it is finished" and died.

Jews got baptized by John the Baptist for repentance for remission of sins to get people ready to receive the messiah.

 

Lately I've been on a mission to explore all things said by Jesus that had to do with entering the kingdom/not entering the kingdom.

He has made it clear on both ends stating stipulations on entering the kingdom. Im really trying to keep in mind that the blood of Christ is enough for salvation. I dont dare take anything away from what Christ did. But im battling with trying to figure out how these works come into play. I mean, I understand we will always fall into sin from time to time. But Jesus was teaching followers of Him. He knew they would be saved, but He still said if you "do this" you will not inherit the kingdom.

This is one reason I'm against the the whole "being convicted of a sin" is not a good excuse for people who claim to be Christian to continue to commit sins they aren't convicted of.   Yes, there's a sanctification process, but we have to be more strict (in my opinion) on rebuking, reproving and exhorting our brothers and sisters. And even ourselves.

Sorry, I know I just ranted about a lot lol

 

 

TM: So I appreciate your thinking JR as well as your thoughts JC. It is good to think outside of the box.

 

I would challenge you on a couple of assumptions. One is that the unborn are not born of water. That is like saying red is not un-red. But really, an "unborn" child sits in a sac of water (actually amniotic fluid). Even if the Mom dies, at some point that sac will break and the child will be born dead or alive. Either way, the child has be growing in water. This is a case where we may be over-thinking details or technicalities.

 

Another assumption is that sprinkling refers to water. Once a year, the high priest, using a hyssop branch would sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. Actually, there were quite a few symbolic cleansings using this approach. In the verse you quote (Ezek 36:25-27), it does say water, but that would not be baptism since it is only sprinkling. Baptism also represents burial which is why we do full immersion.

 

There are a number of sects that also believe baptism is required for salvation:

 

• Roman Catholic Church: Views baptism as a sacrament that removes original sin and bestows sanctifying grace, necessary for salvation.
• Eastern Orthodox Church: Considers baptism a fundamental sacrament that forgives all sin, including original sin.
• Churches of Christ: Strongly promote baptismal regeneration, viewing baptism as an essential step following repentance for salvation.
• Lutheranism: Believes in baptismal regeneration, where the Holy Spirit works through baptism to regenerate a person and remove sin.
• Anglicanism: Many within this tradition hold that baptism is a sign of regeneration and is necessary for salvation.
• Oneness Pentecostalism: This group also includes baptism as a necessary component for salvation.
• Latter-day Saints (Mormons): Baptism by full immersion is considered a significant and essential ordinance for salvation. 

I believe baptism is commanded, but to equate it to salvation would require all of Jesus' commands to be required for salvation. We are commanded to make disciples, but few do.

 

The most important argument is found in the passage, the context.

 

Jesus starts out by telling Nicodemus he must be born again. Nicodemus understands him to mean a second physical birth. Then Jesus say a person must be born of water (physical) and the Spirit (spiritual) to enter the kingdom of God. This reiterates his original statement that you must be born again. He continues the analogy of born in the flesh is flesh and born of the spirit is spirit. This second statement clearly parallels the water (flesh) and spirit (spiritual) preceding statement. Then Jesus only focuses on the second, the spiritual rebirth, when he talks about the wind. You can't see the wind but you see its impact, so it is with spiritual birth. It is not physical but spiritual. In fact, these last words of Jesus would directly contradict the idea of baptism as a requirement for salvation because baptism is seen.

 

So, yes, I believe most definitely that the water refers to physical birth.

 

TM:

Not to mislead you, Zane Hodges, a very respected theologian, says that people have strong opinions on both sides:

"One of the best known interpretive problems in the Gospel of John is found in the Savior’s famous dictum that, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). The commentary tradition on the Fourth Gospel is deeply divided as to whether or not this assertion contains a reference to baptism and strong opinions have been held on both sides of the question."

 

Hodges, Z. C. (1978). Water and Spirit—John 3:5: Problem Passages in the Gospel of John Part 3: Bibliotheca Sacra, 135, 206.

 

TM:

By the way, I am not saying Hodges agrees with me. From a hermeneutics point of view, we prefer literal reading to a metaphoric reading. The way I express it is a more literal view that only uses symbols as they are explained as symbols. Jesus explains the wind, he does not explain the water, hence we would use literal for water.

 

 

Heb 3:7-19 Full Notes

Review:

The first pillar of Judaism: Angels

Second pillar of Judaism: Moses

 

Heb 3:7-11 (ESV) Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
 
 "Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your fathers put me to the test
and saw my works 10 for forty years.
Therefore I was provoked with that generation,
and said, 'They always go astray in their heart;
they have not known my ways.'
11  As I swore in my wrath,
'They shall not enter my rest.'

 

• When you think of the phrase "harden your hearts," who or whom do you usually think about?
• Heart of Pharaoh -- Yet this passage is referring to?
• Israel (or the Exodus generation)
• Note: The Exodus generation (20 and over who left Egypt)
• Note: The Wilderness generation (those under 20 and born during the 40 years in the wilderness)
• Read quotation from OT
Ps 95:7-11 (ESV)
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
 Today, if you hear his voice,
8  do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
9 when your fathers put me to the test
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
10  For forty years I loathed that generation
and said, "They are a people who go astray in their heart,
and they have not known my ways."
11 Therefore I swore in my wrath,
"They shall not enter my rest."
• Ps 95:8.  Note: Meribah means quarreling; Massah means testing
• Also the first half of Ps 95 emphasizes what?
• He is our God (deserving of our worship)
• We are his people
• His pasture (his creation)
• His sheep (his responsibility)
• The second half refers to what?
• Forty years he "loathed" the generation
• The exodus generation were a people
• Who were going astray in the heart (hearts were focused on other things)
• Who did not know his ways (we were weak in their knowledge of him)
• God swore (promised) that "his people" (defined in verse 7) would not see his rest
• Sin as a result of disobedience forfeited blessings
• The Massah & Meribah incident occurs very early in the desert
• Read Ex 17: 1-7

Ex 17:1-7 (ESV) All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2  Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?" 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" 4 So Moses cried to the Lord, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." 5 And the Lord said to Moses, "Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6  Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink." And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

• What is the real issue here?
• Note the two main passages (Ps 95 and Ex 17)
• Psalm 95:9 " … put me to the proof, though they had seen my work."
• Numbers 17:7 " … they tested the Lord by saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"
• [START VIDEO]
• Explain my story
• Second child born with multiple birth defects
• Tracheal web
• Stomach not connected to esophagus
• Esophageal atresia - soft trachea
• Missing corpus callosum
• Enlarged anterior ventricles
• Premature fusion of the cranial bones
• A staff doctor on the team once got Sharon aside and told her to stop bothering the staff because her son was going to die of pneumonia at some point (he had six pneumonias that first year) -- relate story of praying during a pneumonia
• Israel
• They had just seen the tremendous miracles
• Faith was not whether God could do it or not, but rather would he? Sure he cared about the big picture of the nation, but did he care about "me, my family, my struggles"
• When we pray, we all struggle with when and how God will answer -- water in a desert is the perfect issue -- the prayer has to be answered soon!
• The issue is NOT
• … God's power
• … God's existence
• The issue in the mind of the Exodus generation … DOES GOD CARE FOR ME, MY FAMILY, MY LIVELIHOOD …
• How does God define faith?

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) — 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) —

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

• In other words, He deeply cares about us
• Let's look at Israel. What is the result of Israel's sin at Kadesh Barnea?

Num 14:19-23 (ESV) Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now."


20 Then the Lord said, "I have pardoned, according to your word. 21 But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, 22  none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, 23  shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it

• Note that the people repented and God forgave them (Num 14:20).  They didn't lose their salvation but they forfeited God's blessing
• What  is it that the writer of Hebrews is warning the believers against?
• Refusal to walk by faith in obedience to God results in missing out on God's rest
• What is the rest?
• Observations about Rest
• The offer of entering still stands
• You can fall short of it (they were not maturing …"they ought to be teachers by now")
• You can believe (live by faith) and enter it
• Rest
• Caanan Rest:  rest based on work; here and now rest that is a result of obedience and faith (faith / life rest)
• Creation Rest:  God rested from all His creation work (for us, might refer to our inheritance)
• Sabbath Rest:  rest a believer experiences spiritually as he matures
• Which rest is the author challenging the readers to enter?
• They are already believers (Heb 3:1), the warning is not about the rest of Heaven, but the faith / life rest that God offers all believers and that comes as a result of maturity in their faith
• Which is why there is a lot of discussion in Hebrews on the importance of maturity

 

• Application:
• Jewish believers were at the same point.  Saved, but now a big decision is before them.  They were in danger of committing the same mistake the Exodus generation made
• What is God calling us to do?
• Are we continuing in faith?  Or are we just treading water?

 

Heb 3:12-15 (ESV) Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,


 "Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

 

• In light of what we just read, what is a sinful, unbelieving heart?
• The problem with the Exodus generation was their faith
• But it was not in the power of God (miracles, Red sea, two pillars, manna, …)
• It was in the care and concern of God
• Water was a time-sensitive need, and they pushed the button -- does God really care about me?
• Disciples (Story of asleep in boat is in Matt 8 and Luke 8)

Mark 4:37–41 (ESV) —  37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

• Faith is believing that God knows me and cares for me
• How do we protect ourselves?
• Encouragement (we need fellowship)
• Staying away from sin (we need to listen to God)
• Application:
• Faith is believing
• God cares about me
• God completely knows me
• God is working my best
• Circumstances may be against me, but God can use bad circumstances for our good
• The opposite of real faith is believing …
• If I believe something hard enough, God will do it
• My life should always have good things

Phil 2:25-30 (ESV) I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

• Faith is not believing in something hard enough such that it happens. Faith is believing that God knows and cares and what happens or doesn't happen is for my best
• Rom 8:28 says the very same thing
  

Heb 3:16-19 (ESV) For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

3:18 disobedient also translated disbelieved

 

• Five rhetorical questions:  really only 3, because 2 answer the previously question
1. Who heard and rebelled?
2. Were they all those Moses led out of Egypt?  Yes, by implication a physically redeemed people
3. And with whom was he angry for forty years? 
4. Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert?  Yes, the Exodus generation
5. And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?
• Some did not enter his rest, which in this case is the promised land.  We should note that Moses, Aaron, and Miriam did not enter
• Therefore, it is not a spiritual, but a physical rest
• What is this rest?  (read the next passage)
• Add end story VIDEO
• In the midst of suffering, I never liked the ending of Job
• But the ending is more than an "ever-after happy ending," because Job still lost 10 children

Job 42:12–17 (ESV) — 12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, four generations. 17 And Job died, an old man, and full of days.

• God answered our prayers, but it will never take away the feeling of pain we endured
• Luke lived
• Actually, the Doctor who said that, died early
• Luke finished High School
• Luke married
• Luke has a daughter, our first grandchild

Heb 3:1-6 Full Notes

 Review: The first pillar of Judaism: Angels

Heb 3:1-4 (ESV) Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)

• Second pillar of Judaism:  Moses
• Moses seems like a stepdown from angels (and chapter two would support that), but Moses has a special standing in scripture
• The name Moses appears 762 times in the OT and 85 times in the NT -- more than any other name other than Jesus and David
• Moses was not a patriarch but for a first century Jew was held in more esteem than angels or the patriarchs
• … and as you will see in a little bit, Moses was a man who waited a long time for his opportunity to make an impact …
• What do we learn about the audience? (verse 1)
• They are holy brothers
• They share in the heavenly calling
• They confess Jesus as their Apostle and High Priest
• Key word: "consider" (Grk: katanoeo, NT:2657)
• "to give proper and decisive thought about something - 'to consider carefully, to be concerned about.' " (from Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain)
• To consider carefully or to fix one's eyes or mind upon (from Thayer's)
• APPLICATION: Knowing Jesus is the key to the Christian life and to a walking faith
• Why call Jesus "our apostle?"
• He is like Moses.  He carried a message from God to the people
• In this case, he is the message
• Also, Moses brought the Mosaic Covenant and Law

John 1:17 (ESV) — 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

• Jesus brought the New Covenant and Grace

Revelation 15:3 (ESV) — 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,

O Lord God the Almighty!

Just and true are your ways,

O King of the nations!

• Why a high priest?
• A high priest represents men to God
• Hebrews is the only place in the NT where Jesus is called an Apostle and a high Priest
• What does it mean when it says that Moses was faithful in all God's house?  (Num 12:7)
• The house is the house of Israel (more clear in vs 6).  The context is Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses leadership, partly because he had married a Cushite wife
• Num 12:1-11 (ESV) Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. 2 And they said, "Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?" And the Lord heard it. 3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. 4 And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, "Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting." And the three of them came out. 5 And the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. 6 And he said, "Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. 7 Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" 9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.
  
  10 When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. 11 And Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have done foolishly and have sinned.
• Yet was Moses always faithful?
• Moses destroyed the first ten commandments (a point which God reminds him)
• Moses disobeyed God at Meribah (and lost his chance to enter the promised land)
• Why is Jesus better than Moses?
• Because Jesus is the builder of everything (the designer or creator is always greater than the user)
• Application:
• One, you can be called faithful without being perfect
• Two, you can confess Jesus, but you need to go farther than a public confession.  Knowing Jesus needs be the central thought and direction of our life
• Three, implied warning -- not to speak against God's house. It is easy to be critical of the church and of the leadership. And I do believe there is a way to approach that, but it should never be a common conversation

Heb 3:5-6 (ESV) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

• How are Moses and Jesus differentiated in these verses?
• Moses was only a servant in the house
• Jesus is over the whole house (note: we are the house)
• Jesus is a son
• Why the phrase "if we hold on?"
• Mark of a true believer is that we hold on
• The point is that continuance in faith is evidence that a person actually believed.  Lack of continuance in faith does not mean the person is not saved; it only means that the person does not have the evidence that faith exists (Fructenbaum, 2005)