Character Study of Apostle John

Lesson 1 - Loved

• Who is the disciple whom Jesus loved or the beloved disciple?
• Main passage—the disciple whom Jesus loved, “Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is going to betray you?’)” (John 21:20 NIV).
o Numerous cross reference verses put the beloved disciple at the same places and times as John.
 “Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” (John 13:25 NIV).
 “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea” (John 21:7 NASB).
 “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother” (Matthew 10:2 NASB).
• John was one of the first disciples chosen by Jesus. Thus, John was a first string pick, and He was with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry until His death on the cross.
 “Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them” (Matthew 4:21 NASB).
• Another verse evidencing that John was a first string disciple from the beginning.
 “Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves” (Matthew 17:1 NASB).
• When Jesus met Moses and Elijah on the mountain, he needed support and company, so he turned to John along with his brother James and Peter—His inner circle.
 “Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple [the disciple whom Jesus loved] would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?’” (John 21:23 NIV).
• Again, John was at this place and time, and ironically, John is the only disciple to die of old age!
o Although scripture does not explicitly state that John is the beloved disciple, the consensus of most biblical scholars is that implicitly the beloved disciple is John.
 “Traditionally he has been identified with the beloved disciple of the fourth gospel (John 13:23; 19: 26; 20: 2 and 21: 7, 20. He could also be the unnamed disciple of 1f:35 and perhaps18: 15f. and 19:35).”



• Illustrations
o The act of Jesus filling their nets with fish illustrates that Jesus Christ not only performs miracles and heals the sick, but He loves by providing us with our daily needs in addition to saving us.
o The proper response to such love is illustrated by how the fishermen stopped everything and followed Jesus. Following Jesus is more than accepting Him as savior. Following includes throwing out the old life completely and replacing it with a new life committed to the Lord.
• In conclusion, John, of all people, had to acutely experience love from Jesus, because he was closely with Christ from the very beginning of His ministry until his death.
• Application
o As we will discover in Lesson 3 - Loving, Jesus dearly loved John, which transformed John to be more loving to others. The power of Jesus’ love transformed John’s life from a rugged fisherman into a loving apostle doing the will of God and bearing much fruit. What has been the outcome of Jesus love for you?
• Bibliography
o Bauckham, R. “The Beloved Disciple as Ideal Author.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 49, (1993): 21-44. New Testament Abstracts, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Browning, W.R.F., eds. “John the Apostle.” In A Dictionary of the Bible. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, http://www.oxfordbiblicalcstudies.com/artical/opr/194/e1014 (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Carey, Gary, and James L. Roberts, eds. The New Testament. Nebraska: Cliffs Notes, 1999. NetLibrary e-book.
o Collins, Raymond F. “From John to the Beloved Disciple: an Essay on Johannine Characters.” Interpretation 29.4 (1995): 359+. General OneFile. Web. 9 April 2010.
o Fonck, Leopold. “St. John the Evangelist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm (accessed 9 April 2010).
o iLumina. CD-ROM, Gold Premium, version 2.8. Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 2006.
o “John, St.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hill, Michigan: Gale, 2010. http://galenet.galegroup.com/ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/servlet/BioRC
o “John the Apostle, Saint.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010. Web. 9 April 2010 http://search.eb.com/eb/articale-9043818
o “John the Evangelist.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Kingsbury, Jack Dean. “The Gospel of John.” Interpretation 49, no. 4 (October 1, 1995): 341-389. ATLA Religion database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Metzger, Bruce, and Michael D. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford, 2001.
o Ryan, Patrick J. “Privileged Insight.” America, April 3, 1993, 23. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 9, 2010)
o Smalley, Stephen S., and John Sweet. “John The Apostle.” The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Ed. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Liberty University. 9April 2010 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t97.e167
o Thompson, Marianne Meye. “The Gospel According to John.” The Cambridge Companion to The Gospels. ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Cambridge Collections Online. Cambridge University Press. 09 April 2010 DOI: 10.1017/CCOL0521807662.010
o Who’s Who in Christianity. New York: Routledge, 2002. NetLibrary e-book.

 
Lesson 2 - Judgmental and Ambitious

• John was not perfect; He acted judgmental and ambitious on occasion during the middle of Jesus’ ministry.
• First main passage—judgmental, “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village” (Luke 9:54 NIV).
o John and James were referencing in the 2 King 1:10, 12 when God sent fire from heaven, because Elijah requested this to destroy the King of Samaria’s men.
o Jesus scolded the brother’s for judging the Samaria village, and He said, “You don’t even know what spirit is causing you to say this.”
o Jesus explicitly establishes that judging and reprisal is His role only.
o “James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)” (Mark 3:17 NIV).
 Historical setting
• At one time or another, Peter, Andrew, James and John, as well as Philip, all lived in Bethsaida. It was one of the most flourishing fishing spots on the Sea of Galilee. The name itself meant “House of Fish” or “Fishery.” The historian Josephus said that there were as many as three hundred thirty fishing boats operating on the Sea of Galilee in his day.
• Fishing was strenuous hard work, and it naturally attracted a rather rough-and-ready type of person. James and John were called “sons of thunder” before Jesus changed their lives. After that, John became known for his tenderness.
 “Sons of Thunder” possibly refers to James and John’s fiery disposition.
• Second main passage— ambitious, “James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You’” (Mark 10:35ff NASB).
o In Matthew, James and John’s mother also requested that her sons receive the most honored places in Christ’s kingdom.
o “’You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ ‘We can, ‘they answered” (Matthew 20:22 NIV).
• Illustrations
o James and John showed their temper when they wanted to destroy the Samaria village for refusing to welcome them.
o John did suffer for Jesus after he asked for the most honored position in the kingdom of God.
 With Peter he was arrested and jailed for preaching about Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 4:1-3).
 John is arrested and jailed a second time probably with Peter, because prominent Jews were jealous of them (Acts 5:17-18).
 He was imprisoned on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9).
• In conclusion, John showed an immature tendency to be anger and selfish during his Christian growth.

• Application
o John’s behavior of anger and selfishness in the middle of Jesus’ ministry shows that he was on a journey of Christian growth, as all Christians are. Selfishness is the opposite of Christ-like behavior--compassion. In addition, acts of selfishness are not within God’s will. Is your life best described as self-centered or self-giving?
• Bibliography
o Bauckham, R. “The Beloved Disciple as Ideal Author.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 49, (1993): 21-44. New Testament Abstracts, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Browning, W.R.F., eds. “John the Apostle.” In A Dictionary of the Bible. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, http://www.oxfordbiblicalcstudies.com/artical/opr/194/e1014 (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Carey, Gary, and James L. Roberts, eds. The New Testament. Nebraska: Cliffs Notes, 1999. NetLibrary e-book.
o Collins, Raymond F. “From John to the Beloved Disciple: an Essay on Johannine Characters.” Interpretation 29.4 (1995): 359+. General OneFile. Web. 9 April 2010.
o Fonck, Leopold. “St. John the Evangelist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm (accessed 9 April 2010).
o iLumina. CD-ROM, Gold Premium, version 2.8. Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 2006.
o “John, St.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hill, Michigan: Gale, 2010. http://galenet.galegroup.com/ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/servlet/BioRC
o “John the Apostle, Saint.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010. Web. 9 April 2010 http://search.eb.com/eb/articale-9043818
o “John the Evangelist.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Kingsbury, Jack Dean. “The Gospel of John.” Interpretation 49, no. 4 (October 1, 1995): 341-389. ATLA Religion database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Metzger, Bruce, and Michael D. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford, 2001.
o Ryan, Patrick J. “Privileged Insight.” America, April 3, 1993, 23. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 9, 2010)
o Smalley, Stephen S., and John Sweet. “John The Apostle.” The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Ed. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Liberty University. 9April 2010 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t97.e167
o Thompson, Marianne Meye. “The Gospel According to John.” The Cambridge Companion to The Gospels. ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Cambridge Collections Online. Cambridge University Press. 09 April 2010 DOI: 10.1017/CCOL0521807662.010
o Who’s Who in Christianity. New York: Routledge, 2002. NetLibrary e-book.

 
Lesson 3 - Loving

• John matures into the loving apostle bearing much fruit.
• Main passage—the commandment that is both old and new: love others, “Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining” (1 John 2:7,8).
o Love others is an old commandment: love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19: 18); and a new commandment: Jesus said love one another as I have loved you (John 13: 34).
o Jesus is love and set the example of how to love.
o Love is the element that should distinguish and identify Christians and the church from everything else.
• Illustration
o “When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’” Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ From that hour the disciple took her into his own household” (John 19:26-27 NASB).
 When Christ was crucified, he told John to take care of his mother (John 19:26-27).
• Normally a family member would have chosen to take care of his mother Mary; however, Jesus’ brothers did not believe in him the way John and Mary (Jesus’ mother) did.
• This event certainly shows that a close, trusting relationship existed between Jesus and John, and more than anything this attest to John’s loving character.
o “They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day” (Act 4:2-3 NIV).
 John challenged the teaching of religious leaders whom denied Jesus’ resurrection, which caused John to be imprisoned.
o “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NIV).
 Thus, even opposing religious leaders were amazed at Peter and John’s transformation after being with Jesus.
o “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them” (Acts 8:14 NIV).
 Remember John wanted to throw fire from heaven down on a village in Samaria when his character was selfish. Now he is loving and praying with and for Samaritans.
o “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3 NIV).
 John was the best teacher of Jesus’ ministry, because he was uniquely qualified as the longest living eyewitness disciple. Thus, his teaching, books, and letters are accurate and trustworthy.
o “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1-2 NIV).
 John wrote Revelation while in exile on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. The Romans sent him there as punishment for teaching about Jesus Christ.
 The purpose of the book of Revelation is to further testify to the identity of Jesus Christ and to give hope and warning to fellow believers and the church.
• In conclusion, John is the only disciple of the original twelve who lived until he died of natural causes. During his long-life he bore much fruit by teaching, leading, preaching, writing, and witnessing of the transforming power of the love of Jesus Christ available to all.
o Although John is not usually in the spotlight in the Bible, he is always participating in the critical events. He was very close to Jesus, and John’s life truly exemplified Christ-like behavior. Although he was usually not the disciple or apostle in the limelight, the evidence of his character is overwhelming.
o The best evidence of John’s character is the Gospel of John. Christians recommend that non-believers and new believers read this book of the Bible first to appreciate that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and salvation is through Him.
• Application
o John actually put into practice what he was taught by Jesus by caring for His mother after His death on the cross. This act exemplifies how the body of Christ should treat fellow family members. Do you really treat fellow Christians like family?
o John was transformed by his experiences with Jesus. John’s bold behavior and teaching were amazing, even to adversaries! Is your daily life noticeable and astonishingly different?
o John attitude to Samaritans changed from wanting to kill his enemies to praying and loving his enemies. What is your attitude towards opponents?
o John was the quintessential eyewitness to the life of Jesus Christ, and as such evangelized until the end of his life. Have you shared the gospel with anyone lately?
• Bibliography
o Bauckham, R. “The Beloved Disciple as Ideal Author.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 49, (1993): 21-44. New Testament Abstracts, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Browning, W.R.F., eds. “John the Apostle.” In A Dictionary of the Bible. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, http://www.oxfordbiblicalcstudies.com/artical/opr/194/e1014 (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Carey, Gary, and James L. Roberts, eds. The New Testament. Nebraska: Cliffs Notes, 1999. NetLibrary e-book.
o Collins, Raymond F. “From John to the Beloved Disciple: an Essay on Johannine Characters.” Interpretation 29.4 (1995): 359+. General OneFile. Web. 9 April 2010.
o Fonck, Leopold. “St. John the Evangelist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm (accessed 9 April 2010).
o iLumina. CD-ROM, Gold Premium, version 2.8. Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 2006.
o “John, St.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hill, Michigan: Gale, 2010. http://galenet.galegroup.com/ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/servlet/BioRC
o “John the Apostle, Saint.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010. Web. 9 April 2010 http://search.eb.com/eb/articale-9043818
o “John the Evangelist.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Kingsbury, Jack Dean. “The Gospel of John.” Interpretation 49, no. 4 (October 1, 1995): 341-389. ATLA Religion database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Metzger, Bruce, and Michael D. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford, 2001.
o Ryan, Patrick J. “Privileged Insight.” America, April 3, 1993, 23. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 9, 2010)
o Smalley, Stephen S., and John Sweet. “John The Apostle.” The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Ed. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Liberty University. 9April 2010 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t97.e167
o Thompson, Marianne Meye. “The Gospel According to John.” The Cambridge Companion to The Gospels. ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Cambridge Collections Online. Cambridge University Press. 09 April 2010 DOI: 10.1017/CCOL0521807662.010
o Who’s Who in Christianity. New York: Routledge, 2002. NetLibrary e-book.