Drs. Nick and Leona Venditti
Drs. Nick and Leona Venditti
An Encounter with Jesus Purpose of the Gospel
John 20:30-31 “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
An Encounter with Jesus Background
John is very particular in his message and his selection of themes
He starts with a reference to Genesis 1:1 in John 1:1
Later he tells us that God became human in John 1:14
An Encounter with Jesus Background
There are 27 interviews in the Gospel of John, highlighting the relationship of Jesus with individuals
The portrait of Jesus is that He is God, but He is not distant of untouchable
He is personal and present with us
An Encounter with Jesus Background
Antoher preeminent theme is that Jesus is the one sent from God
The word “sent” is used 41 times in John
This shows us where He came from and where He is going
An Encounter with Jesus Background
In this study it is important to see the progressive reaction of the woman and how she changes as she talks with Jesus
At the beginning of the interview she is distant
Little by little she begins to see Jesus in a better light until she finally recognizes who He is in reality: the Messiah and Redeemer
An Encounter with Jesus Background
When the woman recognizes Jesus, she is transformed and she becomes an evangelist by going and announcing to her town about her encounter with Jesus
Finally, Jesus has an encounter with the people from the town of the woman and they recognize that Jesus is the Savior of the World
An Encounter with Jesus Jesus as a Jew (v 9)
Jesus as Lord (v 11 and 15)
Jesus as a prophet (v 19)
Jesus as Messiah (v 25-26)
Jesus as the Savior of the World (v 42)
An Encounter with Jesus Being Jewish (v 9)
Jews and Samaritans did not associate with one antoher
The Samaritans were seen as a mixed race
A respectable Jew would not talk in a public place with a Samaritan woman
Christ transcends all ethnic, cultural, and social barriers
An Encounter with Jesus Lord (v 11 y 15)
The woman treats him with respect
“Lord” in some cases is a title that refers to God
Here it is used as a sign of respect and formality
We note how the conversation is warming up
An Encounter with Jesus Prophet (v 19)
A prophet is a spokesperson for God
Prophets speak to the people of God
The message of the prophet is as much for correction and to direct God’s people towards God’s purposes as it is to declare the future
The woman is growing in her relationship and knowledge of Jesus
An Encounter with Jesus Messiah (v 25-26)
“Messiah” means anointed
Some Jews were hoping for the Messiah to drive the Romans out of Israel
Others though that since the Messiah was from David’s line, Israel would return to their golden era
An Encounter with Jesus The Savior of the World(v 42)
The Samaratin woman leaves her pitcher
She testifies to her people
They have an encounter with Jesus
It is the Samaritans who recognize Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World
Jesus Christ is not a local god but the one who came to save all of humanity
An Encounter with Jesus The Savior of the World (v. 42)
Jesus Christ is for all people for all time
He is the revelation of God for all of humanity
Even though He had a specific context (He was Jewish and He lived in a specific time and place) he is not limited to one culture, but He is for all of humanity
An Encounter with Jesus Jesus as a Jew (v 9)
Jesus as Lord (v 11 and 15)
Jesus as a prophet (v 19)
Jesus as Messiah (v 25-26)
Jesus as the Savior of the World (v 42)
Conclusion The Bible Teaches:
There is only one God (Dt. 6:24)
Hinduism and animism teach that there are many gods
Both cannot be true
Conclusion The Bible Teaches
You can only worship the true God
Hinduism, Buddhism, and spiritism teach that you can worship and pray to
various idols and spirits
Both cannot be true
Conclusion The Bible Teaches
All will die once and then be judged (Heb. 9:27)
Hinduism teaches that you can live, die and be reborn many times
Both cannot be true
Conclusion The Bible Teaches
Salvation is by grace and not by works (Eph. 2:8-9)
Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, animism and Roman Catholicism teach that
salvation is by works
Both cannot be true
Conclusion The Bible Teaches
Christ is God (John 1:1) and the Son of God (Mark 1:1)
Islam says that Jesus Christ is not God nor the Son of God
Both cannot be true
Conclusion The Bible Teaches
Christ died on the cross for our sins (Rom. 3:24-25) and rose from the dead
(Lk. 24:6-7)
Islam rejects this completely
Both cannot be true
Conclusion The Bible Teaches
Christ is the Savior of the World, there is forgiveness for sins and the certainty of
eternal life (Jn. 6:40)
Islam teaches that Christ only came for the Jews and that eternal life is granted only if
Allah desires
Both cannot be true
Conclusion The Bible Teaches
Jesus is the Messiah
Judaism says that Jesus Christ is not the Messiah of Israel
Both cannot be true
(Patrick Kate “The Uniqueness of Christ and Missions”)
Conclusion Christ said that He is the way, the truth
and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him
Peter testified that there is salvation in no other name
Let us remain firm in Christ and invite others to have an encounter with Jesus
Christ, the Savior of the World
Let us pray
Drs. Nick and Leona Venditti