Conservative Friends Bible Study of The Gospel of John #6 Artwork

Ohio Yearly Meeting's Podcast

This is a podcast of Ohio Yearly Meeting. We are a collection of Conservative Quaker Meetings based primarily in Ohio. By conservative, we do not mean politically conservative. Conservative Friends are known for their commitment to conserve the Original message of the first generation of Quakers. These Quakers, in turn, saw their movement as a revival of primitive Christianity. We hope the installments of our podcasts will present the understandings of Conservative Quakerism.

So, if thee is interested in learning the differences between Conservative Quakers and other Quakers, or would like to understand differences between Quakers and other Christians, thee may well be at the right place. On the other hand, the Conservative Quaker perspective is so strikingly unique in contemporary society, that it will be a balm to many seeking spiritual fulfillment. To assist these seekers is the true intent of publishing our podcast.

A good many of the podcast installments will be presented by Henry Jason. Henry is knowledgeable in the Greek of the New Testament and has a fascinating way of tying the meaning of the original words with the writings of early Friends. Listening to him provides a refreshing view of scripture and is an excellent way to learn about original Quaker theology. Henry's podcasts are usually bible classes and so they are often interspersed with discussions, questions and insightful comments by his students.

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Ohio Yearly Meeting's Podcast

Conservative Friends Bible Study of The Gospel of John #6

January 30, 2025 • Henry Jason

#6 Gospel of John 2:12-3:19

Henry begins this session by a discussion of the Greek word, “semeion” in the Gospel of John which in the King James Version of the Gospel of John is translated as “miracle”. However, the word, “semeion” means in Greek means a “sign, or an indication by which something is known”. Our word, semiotics comes from this Greek word.

John 2:12-25
There are frequent usages in John’s Gospel of personal details, such as John’s mention that Jesus’ mother, brothers and disciples travelled with Him to Capernahum.
In John’s Gospel, there is mention of the cleansing of the Temple at the beginning of His ministry, indicating that the Temple, (and our bodies) must be pure. Other gospels put this event at the end of His ministry. Henry believes that the placement of incidents in Jesus’ ministry at different times in each of the Gospels occur because the writer of that Gospel wanted to make a particular point at that point of that event in Jesus’ ministry. A discussion also ensues about destroying ”this temple”, and that He would raise it again in three days.

John 3:1-8
It is notable that Nicodemus, as a leader of the Jews, came to Jesus by night, perhaps because as a member of the Sanhedrin he wanted not to be seen by anyone as going to Jesus.
Nicodemus, by taking an outward, literal meaning to being “born again” misunderstands Jesus’ inward, spiritual meaning. This misunderstanding frequently happens in Jesus’ conversations with others that the inward (spiritual) is much more important than the outward (literal, physical).
Quakers frequently use the word, “regeneration” for the experience of being born again. Henry emphasizes that being spiritually born again is essential for us.

John 3:9-
Belief (Greek: pisteo) in John 3:16 is not just a token acceptance of Jesus, but a deep, inward, trusting, transformative, spiritual understanding of who Jesus is and can be in one’s life.

The advice in our introduction is from page 32 of the Ohio Yearly Meeting's Book of Discipline.

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