Lecture on The Bible and John 15

The Bible as Authority

• The Bible is the sole authority, comprised of 66 books:
  • 39 Old Testament books (revelation before Christ)
  • 27 New Testament books (revelation since Christ)
• It is God's Word, meant to be heard as God's voice, not man's.
• The role of pastors and preachers is to deliver God's message to people accurately.
• Key Idea: The Bible is without error and is authoritative in matters of faith and life.

Context of John Chapter 15

• Setting: Thursday night of Passion Week, Jesus' last week of ministry.
• Jesus celebrates Passover with His disciples.
• Judas exposed as a traitor, leaves to arrange Jesus' arrest.
• Jesus and the remaining eleven disciples leave for the garden where Jesus would later be arrested.
• Focus: Chapters 15 and 16 record Jesus' teachings during this time.

John 15: The True Vine

• Main metaphor: Jesus as the "true vine," God as the "vinedresser."
• Key Teaching:
  • True disciples bear fruit, false disciples are likened to barren branches.
  • "I am the true vine": Emphasizes Jesus' divine nature, echoing God's "I Am".
  • The vine as a symbol of Jesus differs from the Old Testament symbol of Israel as a vine.

Nature of Salvation

• Salvation is demonstrated through fruit-bearing (righteous actions and virtues).
• False disciples (unfruitful branches) are removed and spiritually destroyed (burned).
• Essential Truths:
  • Believers are pruned by God for greater fruitfulness.
  • Pruning involves trials and hardships that God uses for spiritual growth.
  • The true vine (Jesus) vs. the degenerate vine (Israel).

Divine Nature of Christ

• Jesus' use of "I Am" asserts His deity, essential for salvation.
• Jewish leaders were aware of this claim as equating Himself with God, which led to conflict.

The Role of Trials and God's Word

• Pruning occurs through trials as God disciplines His children.
• Word as the Knife:
  • Trials are the handle; the Word of God is the cutting edge.
  • Afflictions prepare believers for the cleansing work of God's Word.

Conclusion

• True belief requires attachment to Jesus, not just superficial association.
• Warning: Be wary of false appearances of faith without true spiritual fruit.
• Encouragement for believers to embrace God's pruning for spiritual growth and greater fruitfulness.

Reflection

• The lecture encourages personal reflection on one's spiritual state and growth.
• The significance of understanding and living by the Word of God is emphasized.