Let us take a deeper look at this verse by asking the following questions:

First, who is God in this verse?

I ask this because, didn't Adam and Eve see God? Didn't Moses see God?

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

1. Was Jesus's use of "man" refer to sinless as well as sinners ? He says "no man". Sounds like no one had seen the Father.

2. Was Jesus's use of "seen" just involve eyesight alone or, eyesight, harmony, and understanding also ? Jesus speaks of "delared Him". When Jesus declared Him, did people see the Father physically ?

If so why did He tell His disciple "if you have seen Me you have seen the Father."

It does not sound that way. Just a physical look if it could be made endurable by mortal man, would not effect spiritual change, harmony, understanding in a practical way, and recreated unity and obedience from fallen mankind back to the purposes of God.

We even use phrases like that, if I say "do you see what I mean", I am saying do you understand what I mean. Do you understand what I am saying ?

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Edward F Sutton

This looks like a good line of study. I will visit it more often.

I noticed that the above verse Daryl is referring to tells us that the Son, (Jesus), has "declared" God.

How did Jesus do this?

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"I urge you brothers to watch out for those who cause divisions, and put obstacles in your way, that are contrary to the teaching you have learned." (Rom.16:17).

Signed:

Christian Soldier

I am posting the following text that will answer the question regarding the statement of John 1:18.

quote:

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John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

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How do the above verses answer the question asked earlier and also explains John 1:18?

Let me ask it this way: In what way did they see the Father in Christ?

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited April 16, 2001).]

To finally answer my own question, I believe Christ declared the true character of God the Father in His own life and character as Christ came to reveal the true character of God which had been lost in this world of sin.

Now on to verse 19:

quote:

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John 1:19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

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Why did the Jews send priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who art thou?, or "Who are you?"

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited July 13, 2001).]

quote:

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Many among the leaders would not go to hear John's appeals and denunciations, lest they should be led to disclose the secrets of their own lives. Yet his preaching was a direct announcement of the Messiah. It was well known that the seventy weeks of Daniel's prophecy, covering the Messiah's advent, were nearly ended; and all were eager to share in that era of national glory which was then expected. Such was the popular enthusiasm that the Sanhedrin would soon be forced either to sanction or to reject John's work. Already their power over the people was waning. It was becoming a serious question how to maintain their position. In the hope of arriving at some conclusion, they dispatched to the Jordan a deputation of priests and Levites to confer with the new teacher.

A multitude were gathered, listening to his words, when the delegates approached. With an air of authority designed to impress the people and to command the deference of the prophet the haughty rabbis came. With a movement of respect, almost of fear, the crowd opened to let them pass. The great men, in their rich robes, in the pride of rank and power, stood before the prophet of the wilderness.

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The leaders knew their time was almost up..they either needed to come out for or against what John was preaching.

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

[This message has been edited by Avalee Lohman (edited July 14, 2001).]

These leaders knew who John was and what his mission was:

quote:

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The Sanhedrin could not well defer an investigation of John's work. There were some who recalled the revelation made to Zacharias in the temple, and the father's prophecy, that had pointed to his child as the Messiah's herald. In the tumults and changes of thirty years, these things had in a great measure been lost sight of. They were now called to mind by the excitement concerning the ministry of John.

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In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

Thank you, Sister Avalee, for those quotes.

This next verse is interesting:

quote:

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John 1:20 He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."

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Why does it say "he did not deny" in this verse?

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

Since nobody ventured to answer my question, I guess it is time for me to try and answer it.

This verse means that John wanted to make it very, very clear that he was not the Messiah by fortifying this with a corresponding negative statement, denied not.

This then takes us to the next two verses:

quote:

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John 1:21 "And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?"

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Why do you suppose they were asking John the Baptist all these questions?

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

Attack on the messenger, discredit him. Skuttle his authority standing in the eyes of the people & restore their control.

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Edward F Sutton