Memory Verses

• 1 John 1:1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.”

• 1 John 1:2 “(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”

Lesson Text: Luke 1; John 1:1-13; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 John 1:1-3

John, the beloved disciple, wrote 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John after his Gospel, around 90 AD. He makes a powerful claim that to be saved or born again, one must believe in Jesus exactly as the Scriptures say (John 1:1-13; 7:37-38). He warns that those who don’t believe according to the Scriptures are not truly saved (John 1:10-11; 6:66). John affirms Jesus came in the flesh, lived among us, was filled with the Holy Spirit as our example, and faced every temptation without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

1. Was Jesus Born with the Holy Ghost?

• No. John the Baptist witnessed the Spirit descending on Jesus (John 1:32-33).

• Jesus' first miracle occurred after He received the Holy Spirit and fasted 40 days (Luke 4:1-14; Matthew 4:1-13; John 2:1-11).

• He humbled Himself (Philippians 2:8), emptying:

  • His divine immortality

  • His power and anointing

  • Becoming a human baby through a natural 9-month pregnancy

2. Why Was Jesus Not Born Filled Like John the Baptist?

• Jesus came to be our full example (1 Peter 2:21).

• He humbled Himself to die for our sins (Philippians 2:8).

• He faced temptation like us (Hebrews 4:15).

• He fasted because He too was tempted (Matthew 4:1).

• Fasting helps us resist the enemy (1 Corinthians 10:13).

• God, being immortal, cannot be tempted (James 1:13).

3. Comparing John the Baptist and Jesus

         John the Baptist                                      Jesus Christ

Earthly father: Zacharias (Luke 1:67)	Father: God (John 3:16)
Born in sin (Psalm 51:5)	Sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Born with the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:15)	Filled with the Holy Ghost at the start of ministry

4. Jesus Came from Heaven and Returned

• Jesus declared, “I came down from heaven” (John 6:36).

• He came from God and returned to God (John 13:3).

• The Apostles witnessed His ascension (Acts 1:9).

• He will return again (Acts 1:11).

• Believers in His return will be transformed (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).

5. Results of Believing on Jesus as the Scripture Says

• Power to become children of God (John 1:12)

• Baptized with the Holy Ghost (John 1:33)

• Become true followers of Christ

• Speak in tongues as evidence of being filled

• Spirit poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28)

• Receive spiritual gifts

• Strengthened faith (Romans 10:17)

6. What Keeps People from Being Filled?

• Sin (Romans 1; Galatians 5)

• Unbelief (John 6:66)

• Lack of understanding about Jesus

• Disobedience like Israel in the wilderness

7. If You Hear His Voice Today (Hebrews 3:7)

• If you're wrong but repent, God will forgive.

• God will renew you.

• Those forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:37-50).

• Keep that mindset and become stronger than before.

Let this message inspire us to believe in Jesus fully, grow in our faith, and walk in the power of the Spirit every day.

John's Message to All Who Would Believe on Jesus
Church of the Living God International, Inc. | Bishop Joseph White | Christian Education Teaching | June 2025
(www.clgi.org)