That You May Believe

"That You May Believe" John 20:30-31; 21:24-25
John wrote without any view of temporal benefit to Himself or others, but to bring men to Christ.—M. Henry
I. A Record from a Beloved Eyewitness (21:20)

o A close eyewitness (19:26-27)

o A sinner loved by Jesus (13:23)

II. A Clear Purpose (20:31)

o That you may believe …

o That you may keep on believing …

God's special revelation is a revelation of redemption. It does not simply serve the purpose of conveying to man some general knowledge about God. It discloses to man specific knowledge of the plan of God for the salvation of sinners, of the reconciliation of God and sinners in Jesus Christ, of the way of salvation opened up by His redemptive work, of the transforming and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, and of the divine requirements for those who share in the life of the Spirit. It is a revelation which renews man, which illumines his mind, inclines his will to good, fills him with holy affections, and prepares him for heaven.—Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology

III. A Selective Record & Sufficient Revelation

I cannot know God omnisciently!
o A selective record (20:30; 21:25; Deut. 29:29)

o A sufficient revelation (20:31)

"Theology is taught by God, teaches God, leads to God."—Thomas Aquinas