Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-22

gospels were designed for classes Of men
Matthew for the Jews, Mark for the
Romans, Luke for the Greeks. Each pre-
scented a view of Christ adapted to his read
ers. Those views, united and expanded in
the Pauline and catholic epistles, furnished
a body of truth sufficient for the needs of
the church. which, after the discussion con-
corning the Gentiles, was in great harmony.
Toward the close Of the first century Chris
tianity came into conflict with the learned
world, and a new statement Of doctrine was
needed. Its preparation was the task of
John. 1.-The beloved disciple" then an old
man, residing at Ephesus, one Of the chief
cities Of Asia Minor. He announced his
purpose in writing John. xx:3D, to con-
vince men that Jesus was the Son of God,
and that by union with Him they might
have eternal life. This simple creed Is out
lined in the message before us, which is the
prologue or introduction to the book.
THE WORD Verses 1-3).-John be-
gan by explaining a term, the word, in
common use but greatly misunderstood.
1t had frequently been employed in the Old
Testament. In the action of creation God
spoke Gen, lid, and the message to the
prophets was by word Hos., lid. The
Jewish theologians, under the influence of
oriental thought had made many fanciful
interpretations of this Scripture express
sion. Philo, an Alexandrian philosopher
held that God was concealed; that He
acted only by servants; that among these
servants was the Word (Gr Logos). These
speculationS were prejudicial to religion.
To refute them John declared that the
Word was person, that this person exist
ed in the beginning Gen., I'D, that he was
with God, that he was God, the creator OF
all things Here the doctrine of the trim
ity, not yet formulated, is implied, fuller
view Of the Godhead than any previously
presented.
THE LIFE (verses 4 and 5).-The an
clients were in great uncertainty concerning
the nature and origin Of life. The move
ments Of animals and men excited their
wonder and sometimes prompted their wor-
ship. They had many theories for the vari
GUS phenomena. The Gnostics taught that
there were two emanations from God, life
and light, one the vital the other the men,
tai principle. These acted separately and
Independently, producing without Divine
aid all living forms and all intellectual &C
tivities. But John affirmed, in opposition
to this view, that life was in the Word
and that it was the light of men John,
v:26). He traced all things back to one
and the same source-not dull matter alone,
but animal, mental, moral and religious
life also. Whatever insight might be given
to men, whatever aspirations might fill
their hearts, in any age or land all had
their origin in the life that was in the
Word. who was the eternal God, the sole
creator of all things.
THE WITNESS Oversees and 6).-The
to religion as was the law of gravitation in
science. One Person, the Supreme Being,
having life in Himself by His direct energy,
quickens and Eliminates men. That doc
trine ought to elevate and unite mankind.
Why then the discord and degradation?
John anticipated this question and answered
it. Men failed to comprehend the light and
so failed Of its benefits. q Cor. n:14. But
must men remain in ignorance? Must they
grope around in darkness even while the
light shines? John answers this question
also. man was sent from God to witness
to the light. He had been with God and
had been sent out-he did not go of his own
accord. Other men had communion with
God and went on other errands-to declare
law, to denounce sin, to call to repentance.
to predict Judgment, to proclaim mercy.
But this man was confined to mission I'M
like that of any who were before Him-so
to witness for the light that men might
believe. This reference is to John the Bap-
fist.
THE LIGHT Verses and Delivery
good and great man is a light in the world.
Such were Socrates Augustine. Luther, Cal
vim, Wesley. By their character and con-
duct they showed men how to live Matt
Wig. The Baptist, also faithful to his mis-
sion, shed luster on humanity. John v:35).
Hence to make plain his meaning and dis
tinguish the person of whom he had been
writing John calls him the true light, that
it, the original, underived, unfailing light
(for such is the meaning of the Greek word
translated) separated from all others by
two particulars. First, he came into this
world having his home in another-he did
not originate here. Second, he lghtens
every man, not combining his influence, as
men do, to a period Of time or to limited
area. but extending that influence far and
wide In all the centuries and countries and
among all peoples.
THE REJECTION Oversees 10 and ID
How did men regard this light which shines
upon the whole race? John answers. The
world at large, the great mass of mankind,
probably the heather of whom Paul speaks,
Rom. 1:19-25), did not even know Him.
They did indeed perceive that a benign
influence was exerted upon them, but they
had superstitious notions concerning it.
There was another class of men of whom
better things might have been expected, the
posterity of Abraham. With them COW
enant had been made to them precious
promises had been given. For many CEN
turtles they had been under the instruction
Of inspired men. They had been nurtured
by law and ceremonial that they might I'M
derstand what God was dong for men, and
that they might be the teachers of other
peoples. Gen. Xxi:1S). Yet when the
Word came unto them He was rejected.
THE RECEPTION. = Oversees 12-13)
If the above had been the only response to
the word in His approach to men, the world
would have been in deplorable condition.
But if some rejected. others received. Per-
ceiving in Him that which satisfied the
hearts longings and answered the minds
questions, they accepted Him and yielded to