Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
May 21, 2023

“That You May Believe”
by Bryan Gibson
It’s the reason the gospel of John was written—“that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may life in His name” (John 20:31).
So the gospel of John is a defense of Jesus. Here are the various witnesses who testify on His behalf.
Moses (the law), the Psalms, and the Prophets. “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). These different divisions of the Old Testament Scriptures contain detailed prophecies of the coming Messiah, and Jesus fulfilled every one of them (e.g. John 7:42; 13:18; 19:24, 28, 36-37).
John the Baptist. The “star witness” perhaps, because he was sent to “bear witness” of the Christ (John 1:7), to prepare the way for Him. He knew Jesus was the One, because God had told him, “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33). John witnessed this when he baptized Jesus, and so with full confidence he proclaimed that Jesus was indeed the Son of God (John 1:34). Here’s what some had to say about his testimony: “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true” (John 10:41).
Those who saw His signs (miracles). This list includes Nicodemus (John 3:2), the Samaritan woman (John 4:39), the nobleman whose son was healed by Jesus (John 4:53), the blind man whom Jesus healed (John 9:35-38), and those who witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45). Even His enemies could not deny His miraculous power: “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him…” (John 11:47-48).
Those who heard Him preach. Many believed in Jesus when they heard the Samaritan woman say, “He told me all that I ever did” (John 4:39); others were convinced by Jesus Himself: “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). “And as He spoke these words, many believed in Him” (John 8:30). When officers were sent to arrest Jesus, rather than apprehend Him, they came back to the chief priests and Pharisees and said, “No man ever spoke like this Man” (John 7:46).
Those who saw the empty tomb, and who saw Jesus alive after His resurrection, a number which includes Mary Magdalene, the first person to see the resurrected Jesus (John 20:11-18), and Peter and John, who got a close up look of the empty tomb (John 20:1-8), and then together with the other apostles, a close up look of Jesus himself (John 20:19-23). And don’t you love the testimony of Thomas, who after Jesus said, “Reach you finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it in My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing,” Thomas answered and said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27-28).
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:31). I didn’t see what these witnesses saw, but I believe their testimony, and I believe in Jesus.
“Yes, I believe in the One they called Jesus, I believe He died on Mount Calvary; And I believe that the tomb was found empty, And I believe that He’s the answer for me” (I Believe in Jesus, Alton Howard).

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.