“Belie or Believe?”

John 1:19-51

1. Introduction
   1. Do you know anyone who likes to exaggerate?
   2. Many people discredit God’s word because they believe it contradicts itself in several places
2. Contradiction # 1 – John the Baptist says he isn’t Elijah when in other places in the NT Jesus says he is; who should we believe?
   1. The questions the authorities asked John show they didn’t completely understand the prophecy about the Messiah
   2. The role of John the Baptist’s ministry was exactly what was prophesied
   3. There are several similarities between Elijah and John

• Contradiction # 2 – John’s timeline of Jesus’ Baptism and the beginning of his ministry doesn’t line up with the other Gospels
  1. We must carefully study the Gospels to get a clear picture of what actually happened
  2. John’s account was after Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness
  3. Liberties have to be taken to explain further

1. Contradiction # 3 – John describes a different account of how the disciples were called and in what order than the other Gospels
   1. Again, we must carefully study the Gospels to get a clear picture of what actually happened
   2. There is an “un-named” disciples that has to be John
   3. This narrative is mostly about how John first met Jesus
2. Conclusion:
   1. The Bible is God’s inspired and infallible word; there is always an explanation even if you don’t know what it is
   2. If you don’t have an answer, don’t give up! Ask God!