The Son of God (St. John Chapter 5)



Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Movement Control Order that prohibits believers from gathering to worship our God is indeed a distressing time for all of us. Since the formation of the Church on 8th May 1994, this is the first time the Church did not gather for worship. We hope this order would not extend for a longer period.

I hope this post finds you in good health. I’m praying for all of us that God will keep us from this dreadful disease and the nation will be delivered from the scourge. In response to the situation, I think it is good to continue our Sunday School Bible Study on St. John Chapter 5 through our blog. 

This week, we will consider verses 30-47. I would like to focus on two matters for consideration:
1) The characteristic of humility in Christian behaviour
2) The veracity of affirmations that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God

Verse 30: Humility

This is a good reminder for all of us to avoid pride in ourselves. The Lord Jesus was great but he deliberately put himself in humble submission to the will of God the Father. Consider the following verses from the book of Philippians chapter 2:3-11:

V.3:  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 

V.4:  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

V.5:  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

V.6:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

V.7:  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 

V.8:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

V.9:  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 

V.10:  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 

V.11:  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Humility is a key Christian characteristic. If a person is proud, let him be warned that he or she is like Lucifer, who wanted to be like God and is nowhere near the Lord Jesus (Isaiah 14:12-15). 

Pride goeth before destruction (Prov. 16:18). 

Therefore, let us think of others better than ourselves (Phi 2:3).

Verses 31-47: The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God

Here, the Lord Jesus assures us that He is sent of God and all of His words can be trusted and believed upon. He introduces five witnesses to verify the truth. The importance of it cannot be overemphasized as either you would believe that He is God, or if not, disbelieve. I trust that after considering the five witnesses, your faith can be strengthened and know unequivocally that He can protect and guide you during this health crisis affecting the nation and the world. 

Witness 1: He declares himself as God the Son, i.e. the co-equal of God in the Holy Trinity.  
John Chapter 5:25-26

V.25: Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 

V.26: For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself

Witness 2: John the Baptist witnessed that He is the Lamb of God (John 5:33-35).

Witness 3: The miracles of the Lord to confirm His divine being (John 5:36). 

In the Gospel of John, we have just read in the earlier chapters about the following miracles— all of whom witnessed His divine being:
I. The turning of water to wine;
II. The healing of the paralyzed man; and 
III. The healing of the nobleman’s son (John 4:50) 

Witness 4: God the Father witnessed that He is the beloved Son (John 5:37). 

We have God declaring openly that He is the beloved Son at His baptism (Matt 3:17).

Witness 5: He is The Word (John 5:39). 

In the Bible, we see the Lord Jesus being prophesied all over the scriptures as illustrated in one of the books in Isaiah Chapter 53:1-12.

Since the Lord Jesus Christ is confirmed without a shadow of doubt by such important witnesses, we can safely trust in Him.  

Let us also meditate upon these verses:
1) Hebrews chapter 13:6:  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

2) Psalm Chapter 27: 1-4
V.1  The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 

V.2  When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 

V.3  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 

V.4  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

I hope you find this post encouraging to your faith amid troubled times.

Looking forward to having fellowship with the Lord and His saints on 5 April 2020!

 Yours in Christ,
Wong Cheng Leong
(Elder of Wangsa Ukay Gospel Hall)


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