John 20

John 20:30-31

CHRIST S DEITY AND MAN’S John 20:30-31. IF one wished to select a single text that would answer the main point of our query, perhaps Acts 4:12 could not be surpassed, “In none other is there salvation, for neither is there any other name under Heaven, that is given among men wherein we must be saved”. It is not, however, our purpose to lay the whole emphasis upon the suggestion in “solitary”, and hence we have preferred to present John 20:30-31 as more adequately compassing our theme.When the Jew discusses the question, “Was Christ the Saviour?” no man doubts that he is sincere; when the Gentile evinces skepticism upon the same subject, we know that his query is not necessarily the result of prejudice, and yet it may easily be lacking the element of sincerity which characterizes the descendant of Jacob. John Foster relates that two Unitarians called on an old member of the Society of Friends to find out his opinion of Christ. The Quaker replied to their questionings, as the Apostle says,“We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). There are three classes of persons presented in that reply: The Jews, who were prejudiced against Jesus because He came not as Scribes and Pharisees had said; the Greeks, whose uninspired philosophies scarce made provision for the appearance of the Son of God; and the believers, from both Jews and Greeks, who saw in Him “the power of God and the wisdom of God”.While purposing to treat this subject in such candor and fairness that even the demands of the critical mind may be met, we confess in advance our purpose to bring our auditors to join with this third class and consent that Jesus is the solitary Saviour.To that end we propose three questions: IS JESUS THE SON OF GOD? There are points of evidence that may here be properly introduced.Permit the mention of three or four of these.History should speak to this subject. If God was manifested in the Person of Jesus Christ it is quite incomprehensible that history should ignore or disregard that fact. The business of this branch of learning is to rehearse what has been. It is supposed also to lay the greatest importance upon the events of mightiest moment. What one could match the incarnation of God? And history has spoken to this subject.

No matter where one does his reading, whether in Ancient, Mediaeval or Modern history, the Man of Nazareth meets him at every turn. The tale of His life, the record of His death, the report of His resurrection, the Institution He founded, like the scarlet thread in the cable of the English navy, have become inextricably woven into every great historical event of the centuries.

The best history back of Christ is the Old Testament Scriptures. “They are they which testify of Me”, Skeptics, hard pressed for argument, have said, “Josephus, the great historian, knows nothing of Jesus.” But such a speech evinces ignorance and reveals a lack of logic. If Josephus had said not a word concerning Him there would be poor comfort for the infidel in that circumstance, seeing that Josephus was a Jew of the strictest type, and the most bigoted spirit. But, unfortunately for the statement, the book of Josephus gives such prominence to Jesus that we are almost compelled to believe that the strongest of his statements is an interpolation. Read again Book 18, chapter 3, section 3, of the “Antiquities of the Jews.” “Now, there was about this time, Jesus, a wise Man, if it be lawful to call Him ‘a man’, for He was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as received the truth with pleasure. He drew over to Him many of the Jews and many of the Greeks. He was Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned Him to the Cross, those who loved Him at the first did not forsake Him, for He appeared to them alive again the third day, as the Divine Prophets had foretold.

These and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning Him, and the tribe of Christians, so named for Him, are not extinct at this day.”If that is an interpolation, let us not forget that in “Antiquities of the Jews”, 18:5-2, he relates the story of the beheading of John; and in 20:9-1, tells the story of James, the Just, who, he says, “was the brother of Jesus, who claimed to be the Christ.” No one disputes the validity of these latter chapters.What is Mediaeval history but a record of the misinterpretation of the message of Jesus? What modern history ignores Him?

Could we write the history of England and leave out Christ? How account for the changes that made a continent of barbarians to be a church going, Christ believing, nation? Could we write the history of America and leave out Christ? How account for the dreams and desires of Columbus? How explain the conduct of the Puritan Fathers? What disposition will you make of the uses to which the words “Christ” and “Church” are put, in the administration of the colonies and the establishment of the states, and the attempt to evangelize the Indians?Can you write the history of India and leave out Christ? Who would attempt to do that and yet ignore Carey, Judson and Boardman? Can you write the history of China and leave out Christ?

How will you explain the Boxer movement, not to speak of the long series of international conferences and complications involving the opening of China’s doors to Christian missionaries? Can you write the history of Africa and leave out Christ? Who would dare, making no mention of Livingstone and Moffat, not to speak of the modern movements inaugurated by Christian missionaries? Can you write the history of the Isles of the Sea and leave out Christ? How will you explain why cannibalism ended and church spires sprang up on every hand?The historian has not yet been born who has, or could ignore this Name and yet command the respect of men. If He be not the Son of God, what is the secret of His success in forcing Himself into all human affairs?

He was born in no palace; He was schooled in no great university; He was promoted to no position of honor; He commanded no mighty armies; He discovered no continents; He engaged in no scientific investigations; His career ended with a Cross and not with a crown! Why has human history been compelled to accord Him such a place?The Scriptures, also, testify to His Deity.

Passing over the Old Testament prophecies regarding Him about which men might argue, we come to indisputable things. The New Testament asserts, “She shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS; for it is He that shall save His people from their sins” (R. V.). If the Bible is to be believed in what it declares, God spake out of Heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. If He were not self-deceived, His sentence is, “I am in the Father and the Father in Me”. If John were not deluded, his worthy testimony is this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth” (John 1:1; John 1:14). Paul certainly seemed to be a sane man, and you cannot explain him unless you believe also that he was an inspired man; and that Apostle speaks of Jesus as being “the effulgence of His Father’s glory, and the very image of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power”.But we will not go into the multiplication of texts to prove the Deity of Jesus. No good student of the Scripture denies their testimony, unless he has first derided their authority. I have read somewhere of two gentlemen who were discussing the Deity of Christ, and one of them said, “If He were God it should have been more explicitly stated in the Bible.” To this the other replied, “How would you express it, to put it past dispute?” “Why”, said the first, “I would say that Jesus is the True God.” “You are very apt in the choice of words”, answered his fellow, “for they are in accord with the inspired St. John, who says, ‘This is the True God, and eternal life’.”Christians also are credible witnesses to His Deity. Experience has a testimony that cannot be gainsaid. Familiarity makes it possible for one to testify to facts.

The world is full of people who claim to have an experience of the grace of Jesus, and a communion with Him which renders them competent to speak regarding His mission and character. Napoleon was profoundly impressed by the harmonious testimony of the multitude of believers. When John said,“That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life, * * that which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us?” (1 John 1:1; 1 John 1:3, R.V.). he introduced a form of argument, the strength of which has ever been confessed. Who shall dispute what they say who speak from experience and delightful fellowship? Who shall stand before the millions on millions that bear one testimony concerning what Jesus is to their souls?Dr. O. P. Gifford, while yet pastor in Chicago, spoke one day concerning that wonderful Ferris wheel, the plan and construction of which was such a compliment to the ability of the young engineer. He told how, when the wheel was put into place.Mr. Ferris took his wife and a newspaper reporter and went down on a July day, when the wind was sweeping the earth with the strength of a hurricane, striking the wheel fairly on the face.

Entering the car, Mr. Ferris closed the door behind him and gave the order to start the machinery, and suddenly the wheel began to move. The wind, like another Samson, seized it, pressed against it with mighty strength, strove to wrench it at every point, tore at the windows, shrieked like a maniac. But the great wheel moved on with scarce a shiver until it had completed its revolution, and Mr. Ferris, his wife, and the reporter stepped out. Mr. Ferris’ faith in the wheel was a scientific faith. He knew its mechanical construction; he knew also its strength; like the Apostle, he was persuaded that it was able to keep that which he had entrusted to it unto the end.

Mrs. Ferris’ faith was purely personal. She knew little about the wheel; she believed in her husband’s opinion, and counsel, and like Ruth of old, said, “Where thou goest, I will go”. Her confidence was not misplaced. The newspaper reporter entered with fear and trembling, filled with doubts. But he had been commanded and dared not refuse. When the wheel had gone its round and he found himself again on the earth, he had the faith of experience, and could testify also touching the ability of that wheel to keep what was committed to it. The followers of Jesus join with the Apostle and say, “We know whom we have believed.” Their experience with Him has proven His power.

Through strain and storm, through suffering and sorrow, through temptation and trial they are kept. Who can gainsay the ground of their confidence in the Deity of the Man of Nazareth?If there were time we would “let His enemies bear witness also.” Goethe, whose infidelity is well known, said, “The human mind, no matter how much it may advance in intellectual culture and in the extent and depth of the knowledge of nature, will never transcend the height and moral culture of Christianity as it shines and glows in the Person of Jesus Christ.”Rousseau, another unbeliever, says, “I confess that the purity of the Gospel has its influence on my heart. Is it possible that a Book at once so simple and sublime should be merely the work of man? Is it possible that the sacred personage whose history it contains should be Himself a mere man? What sweetness, what purity in His manners! What an affecting gracefulness in His delivery!

What sublimity in His maxims! What profound wisdom in His discourses!

What presence of mind in His answers! How great the command over His passions! Where is the man, where the philosopher who could so live and so die without weakness and without ostentation? If the life and death of Socrates were those of a sage, the life and death of Jesus were those of a God.”Strauss says, “Jesus represents within the sphere of religion the culmination point, beyond which posterity can never go, yea, which it cannot even equal. He remains the highest model of religion within the reach of our thoughts.” The words of Theodore Parker are interesting, “There is God in the heart of this youth—that mightiest heart that ever beat, stirred by the Spirit of God; how it wrought in His bosom!” Renan concedes enough when he says, “The day on which Jesus uttered this saying, “God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth”, He was truly the Son of God.” Bob Ingersoll, blatant infidel as he was, still affirmed, “For the Man Jesus I have infinite respect.” Truly may one join with Moses in his wonderful Psalm of Deuteronomy 32, where concerning the expectation of unbelievers as compared with that of believers, he says, “Their rock is not as our rock, even our enemies themselves being judges”.But our theme involves more.IS HE THE SAVIOUR? Is there no other person who can save? There was a day when the king put all the corn of Egypt into the hands of Joseph. Men must make their appeal to him or perish. Is it true of our Joseph that the stores of salvation are all in His hands? The Scriptures are strong; “In none other is there salvation; for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men therein we must be saved” (R. V.). Surely that phrase opposes the pretentions and promises of all others who essay to save. Dr.

Chapman tells us that a friend of his was about to climb the Matterhorn. He was besieged by men waiting at the base of the mountain ready to guide him up the difficult way. But when he asked them to show their papers they all but one fell back. He came forward and presented his certificate which was signed by noted Americans and Englishmen, affirming that he had guided them up the Matterhorn in perfect safety. If the professed saviours of the world are asked to show their certificates of appointment, and their testimonials from the redeemed, they will be silenced. Jesus alone, by calling the roll of Heaven, including the great names of the Old and New Testament worthies (those of New Testament and modern times), can bring sufficient commendations and certificates to show that He is the all-sufficient Saviour.There is no other way of salvation.

Some willingly admit that Jesus is the only Son of God, but remind us that there are matters of merit which must be taken into account. They have done good works; shall they not therefore be saved?

If a man does his best, will he miss Heaven and eternal bliss? Let it be remembered that no man has done his best. The Scriptures and experience speak one thing, “There is none that doeth good, no not one”. And let it be further remembered, “By the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight”. If one reply, “But I am sorry for my sins, and have mourned them; will not that suffice to set me free?” we are compelled to answer that sorrow never reveals the attributes of a saviour; it quite as often dooms men as it helps them. It has drowned many a soul; but by itself it has never saved one. Dr. Gordon says a very remarkable and yet Scriptural thing when he remarks, “Jesus let only His wounds be touched after His resurrection.

Whereby I perceive that we can be united to Christ only by His sufferings. Many to-day are trying to be saved by imitating the earthly life of Christ; many others are trying to be saved by imitating the death of Christ. The world is pretty nearly divided between these two classes— those who are seeking salvation by copying Christ’s life, and those who are seeking salvation by copying His death—the one looking for peace by self-morality and the other by self-mortification.” Both are doomed to disappointment. “Without shedding of blood is no remission”. Even God, apart from Christ, cannot save, for, as Evangelist A. B. Earle said, “God the Father and God the Spirit cannot save because they have no blood.” It is “the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son that cleanseth us from all sin”.

Self-morality is sorry stuff; self-mortification cannot mean self-redemption.One of our missionaries relates the terrible suffering of a heathen who had for many years lived with his body immersed in water, and at a later time had hung on hooks piercing through his flesh, trying to make peace with God through his own wounds. We recoil from even the report; but our civilized America is full of men and women who are attempting salvation by self-infliction.

Vain endeavor! It is not ours to make peace with God through our sufferings, but to take the peace which Christ has made by His own sufferings. It is not ours to effect peace at all, but to receive the peace already perfected. True, “Godly sorrow worketh repentance”, but not salvation. We do well to sing: “Weeping will not save me— Tho’ my face were bathed in tears, That could not allay my fears, Could not wash the sins of years— Weeping will not save me. “Faith in Christ will save me— Let me trust thy weeping Son, Trust the work that He has done; To His arms, Lord, help me run— Faith in Christ will save me.” To Thomas, Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me”.WHAT THEN IS ? That is the personal question; and we are never profited until we reach the personal question. “These are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God”.To believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is the first essential. Having seen that history accords Him that place; having remembered that the Scriptures affirm it; having listened to believers and even to the testimony of unbelievers, why should we imagine the voice heard from the heavens, “This is My beloved Son”, was other than the voice of God? The meaning of that language may not easily be misinterpreted. He meant by that speech to differentiate Him. “Unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee”?No wonder the millions of Christians consent to this claim. Christ has made good!Believe also that eternal life is with Him. “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life”.

That proposition is plain; that declaration is decisive; that second step is absolutely essential.But there remains another: Believe that He gives you salvation now. “That, believing, ye may have life in His Name”. “He that believeth hath everlasting life”. The men who have tested this declaration of the Scriptures have found salvation demonstrated in their own hearts; the women who have brought to Him loyalty have come into the knowledge of life; the little children who have sought Him have been received and saved.There were clean-cut distinctions in the language of a little maid Dr.

George F. Pentecost met in Scotland, and the very way of life may be traced in her words. At Aberdeen, one night after nearly all the people had gone from the service, and Pentecost was about to leave the hall, this lassie timidly approached him. When he said, “What do you want?” she reached up on tiptoe as he bent down and whispered into his ear, “I want to get saved!” “You want to get saved?” “Aye, sir, I do”, still whispering, but more intense in utterance. “And why do you want to get saved?” “Because I am a sinner.” “How do you know you are a sinner? Who told you so?” “God says it in His Book, and I feel it right here,” as she laid her hand on her little breast. “Well”, said Pentecost, “do you think I can save you?” She passed from the whisper to clear, ringing tones, her eyes striking fire. “No, no, man, you cannot save me; no man can save a sinner!” At his side, her hand in his, speaking as kindly as he knew how, he replied, “You are quite right; no man can save you. Tell me, why then do you come to me?” Again her voice was dropped to a whisper as she said, “But Jesus can save me!” “Yes”, replied Pentecost, “but tell me how He can save you?” “Oh, sir, He died for me.” To test her knowledge again, he asked, “Then He is dead, is He?

How can He save you if He is dead?” The little thing, starting from her seat, her eyes suffused with tears, and yet flashing more fire than before, answered, “He is not dead! He is not dead!

Man, Jesus is not dead. He is God’s Son. Did you not tell us this night that God raised Him from the dead?” “Oh, man, I want to get saved. Do not fash me ; but tell me all about it.” He did tell her, and she went away glad and thankful, for she knew that she had found Jesus, the world’s solitary Saviour and the Guide of her own soul.