John writes his Gospel to a Jewish audience. His intention is to demonstrate that Jesus is God in a way that is not opposed to the OT scriptures. This strict monotheism of the Jews would be a big hurdle for them coming to faith in Jesus. John is showing how belief in Jesus and even his divinity are not opposed, but sync with the Jewish monotheism. His writings are also inexplicably tied to the destruction of the temple, either written prophetically before or purposefully after, John is showing that following Jesus is better than the Jewish temple and customs. Jesus is bringing the temple to the people and ultimately making a way for worship to happen in Spirit and Truth anywhere. Acts is a powerful book, written again by Luke, that details the early ministry of the Holy Spirit through the apostles. The template of the book will follow Jesus instructions Jerusalem → Judea → Samaria → the ends of the earth. Jerusalem will be the hub and start for the spread of the message. The Apostles will be forced at times to spread and move the message outward to the next layer of people.
What did it say about God?
John gives us some of the most important teaching about God in all of scripture. We could still piece together proper theology about God without John, but it would be a whole heck of a lot harder. He lays out clearly to open his book that Jesus = God. He was not just with God, but was God. John also includes the most comprehensive teaching about the Holy Spirit in all of scripture. It is found in the upper room discourse in chapters 13-17. Through these 2 sections we have bedrock passages to understand Jesus relationship to the Father, The Father and Sons relationship to the Spirit, and how we are intended to relate to the Spirit. We also see that the Spirit will play the role of convicting the world of sin. I find that many Christians fail to understand this and apply it to their walk with Jesus. Most feel it is their responsibility as a ‘good Christian’ to convict the people in their life of sin. We are called to correct our brothers and sisters in Christ, but for those who are not believers we are promised in John 16 it is the Spirit who will be at work in them to convict them of sin.
What did it say about people?
Acts is where you will see Jesus’ lofty statements about the Apostles futures come to fruition. They do greater things as a whole than the ministry of Jesus by Himself (though bringing in salvation for all who believe makes Jesus ministry greater by far). They perform signs and wonders, are brought to mind everything Jesus taught them, and are given words to speak when brought to trial. You have got to think how confusing those 40 days were between Jesus ascension and Pentecost. The disciples without the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit sitting around wondering what was next. Pentecost is where everything kicks off for this new era of ministry. We will see how the ministry of the Spirit works in people, there’s no longer this one physical teacher they all submit to. Each are led, have to practice discernment, and this leads to tensions and disagreements at times where, in that conflict, the Holy Spirit works to bring unity and agreement. It’s messy at times, but there is also so many cool things that happen through the Apostles. You have to remember that the stuff that we see them do though happens through the Holy Spirit working in them. It is because they abide in Jesus and depend on the Spirit that they are used in mighty ways. The ministry of the Spirit uses broken people, good news for us, but only those who depend and rely on Him. Just as the salvation of Jesus is about reliance, so is the ministry done by the Spirit.
What did it say about the Kingdom of God?
I loved this teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God at the end of Luke:
20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Luke 17:20-21
This is what the Spirit is doing in believers lives and in the communities of Churches! He is training us to see the Kingdom in our midst, not far off and one day, but here and now! Teaching us to live for it and in it each day. As this happens we see the Kingdom advance, spread, and grow. Catching glimpses of the Kingdom sparks and fuels missional living in us to see more and more people enter the Kingdom and its blessing. It does not work or move like any other organization, empire, or kingdom of this world. It is self sacrificial, unified, loving, and led by a shepherd King who knows His sheep by name and lays His life down for them. We live for this Kingdom. We belong to this Kingdom. Our hope is not in elections, politicians, political structures, laws, offices, or reforms. Our hope is in the King and allegiance to His Kingdom that dictates how we live here and now.
What is your takeaway? Leave it in the comments below!
I'm learning a lot about the Holy Spirit reading your takeaways. Good reminder about where to place our hope, as well. "Led by a shepherd King who knows His sheep by name and lays His life down for them." Wow! The ultimate act of sacrificial love. All we can do is say thank you and amen.