JOHN
CHAPTER 6
OBSERVATION
STAGE
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
The purpose of
the observation stage is to maintain focus on the text at hand in
accordance with the framework in which it was written: a framework which
is defined by the normative rules of language, context and logic. Rules
which do not impose undue, unintended meanings to the text
,
and which largely limit the observer to the content offered by the Gospel
of John. In order for any passage from elsewhere to be considered, it must
have a relationship with the context at hand, such as a Scriptural
quotation or a specific cross reference in the passage at hand by the
author. This will serve to avoid going on unnecessary tangents elsewhere;
and more importantly, it will provide the framework for a proper and
objective comparison with passages located elsewhere in Scripture.
Remember that
something elsewhere may be true, but in the text at hand it may not be in
view.
I)
[Jn 6:1-6]:
II)
[Jn 6:7-13]:
III)
[Jn 6:14-21]:
IV)
[Jn 6:22-29]:
A)
OBSERVATIONS VV. 22-28
1)
THERE CONTINUES A LITERAL HISTORICAL NARRATIVE WHERE PART OF THE CROWD
THAT WAS MIRACULOUSLY FED LOOKS FOR JESUS
2)
WHEN THE CROWD DID NOT FIND JESUS OR THE DISCIPLES THEY PURSUED HIM TO
CAPERNAUM
3)
JESUS IMPLIES HE WAS PERFORMING MIRACLES WHICH HAD A PURPOSE THAT WAS
NOT SOLELY AND SIMPLY TO FEED THE HUNGRY OR PROVIDE OTHER TEMPORAL
BENEFITS SUCH AS IF HE WERE TO BECOME KING AT THIS TIME
4)
JESUS IMPLIES THAT HE IS THE AUTHORITY ON AND THE SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE
5)
IN AN INSTANT OF TIME AT THE PRESENT MOMENT OF BELIEVING, ONE COMPLETELY
RECEIVES FOREVER THE FOOD WHICH ENDURES TO ETERNAL LIFE, JESUS
CHRIST
6)
THE SON OF MAN CONNOTES A UNIQUE MAN WHO HAS THE SEAL OF APPROVAL OF GOD
THE FATHER, GRANTS ETERNAL LIFE, WHO IS JESUS HIMSELF, WHO PERFORMS
MIRACLES AND WHO IS GOD
7)
THE CROWD IS NOW FOCUSED ON AND RECOGNIZES THE POSSIBLE AUTHORITY OF
JESUS FROM GOD TO DECLARE WHAT A MAN MUST DO TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE -
HOWEVER, THEIR FOCUS STILL REMAINS ON SOME LIST OF THINGS TO DO TO HAVE
ETERNAL LIFE
B)
OBSERVATIONS V. 29
1)
THE WORK OF GOD TO RECEIVE THAT 'FOOD' WHICH ENDURES IN ONE TO ETERNAL
LIFE WHICH MAN MUST DO IS A SINGLE PRESENT MOMENT OF BELIEVING IN THE
ONE GOD HAS SENT, JESUS CHRIST, WHO IS THAT ETERNAL LIFE
2)
THE PRESENT TENSE "THAT YOU SHOULD BELIEVE" IS THE SOLE
CONDITION REQUIRED OF MAN TO SECURE ETERNAL LIFE RULING OUT WATER
BAPTISM, CONFESSION, FAITHFUL WORKS AND SUCH. ONCE ONE EXPRESSES A
MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE, THERE IS NEITHER TIME NOR A
COMMAND BY GOD TO DO ANYTHING ELSE TO SECURE ETERNAL LIFE
3)
A ONCE FOR ALL TIME RECEPTION OF ETERNAL LIFE WHEN ONE BELIEVES IS IN
VIEW. REPEATED MOMENTS OF BELIEVING ARE NOT
4)
THE WORK TO INCORPORATE THE FOOD THAT ENDURES WITHIN ONE TO ETERNAL LIFE
IS SOLELY FOR ONE TO BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST - NOTHING ELSE - RESULTING
IN THE INTERNAL RECEPTION OF JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF
5)
IN AN INSTANT OF TIME AT THE PRESENT MOMENT OF BELIEVING, ONE RECEIVES
THE FOOD WHICH ENDURES TO ETERNAL LIFE, JESUS CHRIST
6)
AN ENDURING FAITH IS NOT IN VIEW, BUT JESUS CHRIST, THE FOOD WHO
ENDURES IN THE BELIEVER UNTO ETERNAL LIFE IS
7)
ENDURING, I.E., CONTINUAL FAITH OR ANY CONTINUAL ACTION FOR THAT MATTER,
IS NOT IN VIEW NOR POSSIBLE WITH MAN IN ORDER TO ATTAIN ETERNAL
LIFE
a)
[Compare 1 Jn 1:8, 10]:
8)
ENGLISH AND FIRST CENTURY GREEK REQUIRES SPECIAL CONTEXT OR ADDITIONAL
QUALIFYING WORDS TO MAKE PRESENT TENSE ACTION CONTINUOUS THROUGHOUT THE
PRESENT - HENCE CONTINUOUS FAITH IS NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
9)
SINCE ETERNAL LIFE IS EVERLASTING BY DEFINITION THEN ITS POSSESSION AT
THE FIRST MOMENT OF BELIEVING IS AN EVERLASTING POSSESSION
10)
NO OTHER PASSAGE NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MORE
REQUIREMENTS OR CORRECTIONS OF WHAT JOHN 6:29 STIPULATES AS A MOMENT OF
FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE UNTO ETERNAL LIFE FOREVER
11)
TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST IS NO WORK AT ALL FOR AN INDIVIDUAL. IT IS
ALL THE WORK OF GOD THROUGH HIS SON TO SAVE ONE WHICH SIMPLY AWAITS YOUR
ACCEPTANCE BY FAITH
12)
SAVING FAITH DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY DEMONSTRATION OF THAT FAITH IN ONES
LIFE IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE TRUE AND EFFECTIVE IN THE RECEPTION OF
ETERNAL LIFE. ASSURANCE OF HAVING ETERNAL LIFE COMES FROM RECALLING IN
WHOM ONE BELIEVED IN TO RECEIVE IT, JESUS CHRIST
V)
[Jn 6:30-35]:
******* EXCERPT
FROM JOHN CHAPTER 3 ********
[Jn
3:13]:
[Compare
Jn 1:48-51]:
***** END
OF EXCERPT FROM JOHN CHAPTER 3 *****
VI)
[Jn 6:36]:
VII)
[Jn 6:37]:
VIII)
[Jn 6:38-39]:
IX)
[Jn 6:40]:
X)
[Jn 6:41-42]:
XI)
[Jn 6:37-44]:
A)
OBSERVATIONS
1)
THOSE THAT WERE GRUMBLING EVIDENCED UNBELIEF IN JESUS HENCE THEY DEFINED
THEMSELVES AS NOT HAVING BEEN DRAWN BY THE FATHER
2)
ALL WHO COME TO FAITH IN JESUS MUST BE DRAWN BY THE FATHER, (V. 44), AND
ALL WHO COME TO FAITH WERE GIVEN BY THE FATHER TO THE SON, (V. 37); AND
JESUS SHALL LOSE NONE OF ALL THAT THE FATHER HAS GIVEN HIM FOR EVERYONE
GIVEN BELIEVES IN JESUS AND SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE AND BE RAISED AT THE
LAST DAY, (VV. 39-40)
3)
ALL WHO ARE DRAWN BY THE FATHER INEVITABLY BECOME BELIEVERS AND WILL BE
RAISED UP ON THE LAST DAY. BECAUSE NOT ALL WILL BELIEVE IN JESUS AND BE
RAISED UP AT THE LAST DAY SOME ARE NOT GOING TO BE DRAWN BY THE FATHER
4)
ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER IN VIEW IS BASED ON CHRIST'S PROMISE TO
RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY
5)
SINCE THE INHERENT NATURE OF BELIEVING IS FREE WILL, GOD'S DRAWING DOES
NOT FORCE MAN TO BELIEVE
6)
SINCE MAN'S CHOOSING TO BELIEVE IS IN VIEW WHICH BY DEFINITION IS
VOLITIONAL, THEN MAN'S CAPACITY TO COME TO JESUS BY FAITH IS IMPLIED.
YET THIS CANNOT OCCUR BECAUSE MAN WILL NOT BELIEVE UNLESS THE FATHER
DRAWS HIM, (v. 44).
XII)
[Jn 6:45-50]:
XIII)
[Jn 6:51]:
XIV)
[Jn 6:52-54]:
XV)
[Jn 6:55-58]:
XVI)
[Jn 6:59]:
XVII)
[Jn 6:60]:
XVIII)
[Jn 6:61-63]:
XIX)
[Jn 6:64]:
XX)
[Jn 6:65]:
XXI)
[Jn 6:66-67]:
XXII)
[Jn 6:68-71]:
CONTINUE
TO CHAPTER 7 
CORROBORATION
AND FURTHER COMMENTARY
