Christology and Soteriology in Johannine Literature

2003-01-02

John wrote his gospel from both a Christological and a soteriological point of view. This is quite apparent in what he has written in his purpose statements, such as John 19:35 and 20:31. These things were written in order that the reader might believe. But John, as seen in his gospel, epistles, and apocalypse, is not concerned about justification-salvation alone. Christological statements such as statements of Jesus’ deity are used to the end that one should believe that Jesus is the long awaited messianic king. The Spirit writes through John to reveal the person of Jesus, in which to know Him is to be saved. Johannine Christology and soteriology are inextricably linked to each other.

The gospel is divided into three main sections. Chapters 1-12 are the explanation of why one should believe in Jesus. Most Johannine material is not mentioned by the Synoptic Gospels. There are few miracles, and parables are not really a part of his writing, except for short metaphors such as ‘bread of life’ or ‘the good shepherd.’ Chapters 13-17 are primarily sanctification-oriented, with Jesus sitting down with the Eleven and telling them about the future. Chapters 18-21 are Jesus’ death and resurrection, which is the glorification of Jesus, including the conclusion to the Gospel.

It is hard not to look upon any page of John’s gospel without seeing the word ‘believe,’ or ‘believing,’ or some other form of the word. John 1, in an introduction that resembles the Creation Hymn, shows Jesus’ eternality. John the Baptist bore witness of the Word that people might believe (John 1:7). Those who believe in Jesus have the right to become children of God (1:12). Jesus’ omniscience causes Nathanael to believe (1:50). Even the miracles that John mentions testify to the disciples, who then began to believe in Him (2:11).

Trusting in Jesus is the way to eternal life (John 3:16). What better-known verse is there in the Bible? We see also from John 3:36 that those who do not believe the Son not only lack life, but the wrath of God abides on them. There are a myriad of other examples one could turn to, but it is well established that one needs to believe in order to be saved from God’s judgment and have eternal life.

Why should we believe that Jesus is the Savior? In John 5, Jesus is declared the anointed one of God by His own testimony, and also that of John the Baptist (5:33), God Himself (5:37), and the Scriptures (5:39).

The gospel, well seasoned with statements of Jesus’ deity, also affirms that He is the only one to believe in. In John 10:30, Jesus says that He and the Father are one. One cannot but think of the Shema. Regardless of what any religions believe who they think Jesus was, the claim of deity is strong here, and the Jews understood his claims enough that they wanted to stone Him (10:31).

Another way John quotes Jesus is the use of ‘I am’ (cf. Exodus 3:14). More often than once, he uses this phrase; one must believe that “I am he” (Isaiah 41:4; 43:10; 43:13; 43:25; 46:4; 48:12; 51:12; 52:6; compare with John 8:24; 8:28; 13:19; 18:5-6). In addition, the clearest ‘I am’ statements are in 8:58 and 18:5-9.

Now Jesus, in John 13, washes their feet. He teaches them now to serve and love each other. This commandment is given in 13:34-35. Love authenticates the gospel message. Now that they believed, this is what they must do. Obedience to the commandment of love is essential to abiding in His love and experiencing His blessing (15:9ff). This is the sanctification portion of John’s gospel, and this also is the main thrust of His epistles, for they were clearly written to believers. Love is the key exhortation to believers in chapters 13-17 and the epistles (John 15:12; 1 John 3:11; 2 John 1:5; 3 John 1:5-8; among many).

Finally is the glorification of the Lord Jesus in His resurrection, which is to testify of His rightful Kingship. Thomas believed to the point of worship (John 20:28). This section on the death and resurrection is necessary to complete the gospel message; that Jesus died and rose again. Clearly, the message is to believe, which is the first commandment unto eternal life (John 12:50). The new commandment unto Christlikeness of sanctification is to love your brother as Jesus loves you (John 13:34-35). These are the two commandments that John wants to explain to us in his writings (1 John 3:23). The whole salvation experience centers on the person of Jesus Christ.