drs. nick and leona venditti - inste · an encounter with jesus background there are 27 interviews...

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


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 or untouchable

He is personal and present with us


Another 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


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


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 another

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 thought 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 Samaritan 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


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


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


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


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


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


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

drs. nick and leona venditti - inste · an encounter with jesus background there are 27 interviews...

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