He Must Become Greater
John 3:30
30 He must become greater; I must become less.
I. Baptist John
The word of God came to Baptist John son of Zechariah in the wilderness (Luke 3:2). He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3).
Gloriously, so many people came to Baptist John. See Mark 1:5.
The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him.
II. Temptation for Vain Glory
The devil tempted them for vain glory [3] (‘you will be like God’) in Genesis 3:5.
“…when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…”
The devil tempted Jesus for vain glory in Matthew 4:5-6 by asking to throw himself down from the temple top and in Matthew 4:8-9 by promising the kingdoms of the world and their splendour.
III. God’s Will
See v30a (NIV).
“He must become greater
Many translations said, “He must increase”.
“Jesus must increase” is nothing less than God’s will that he does so [4]. We should put God’s will first before rivalry or jealousy.
For your reference, some verses on vain glory are 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, Philippians 2:3, Galatians 5:26, Proverbs 25:6, Galatians 6:14, and 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 [2].
References
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011), Revised and updated edition. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2011).
[2] “Vain Glory.” Retrieved 27/11/2022, from https://www.openbible.info/topics/vain_glory.
[3] John Chrysostom, “Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on the Gospel of St. John,” in Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and Epistle to the Hebrews, ed. Philip Schaff, trans. G. T. Stupart, vol. 14, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1889), 102.
[4] Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause, John, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1998), Jn 3:30.
Baptist John’s Joy as the Friend of the Bridegroom in the Wedding
John 3:29
29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
I. The bride belongs to the bridegroom (29a)
See v29a.
The bride belongs to the bridegroom.
Here, the bride represents the church and the bridegroom Christ. The church belongs to Christ (29a).
II. The joy of the bridegroom’s friend (29b-29c)
See v29b.
The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.
The friend who attends the bridegroom represents Baptist John, the forerunner of the Messiah (29b).
At that time, the bridegroom normally selected one or two close friends to escort the bride to the bridegroom’s marriage chamber. John gladly accepted his role as a friend of the bridegroom, just as he had earlier willingly turned over his disciples to Jesus in John 1:35-37. [1]
This role was also played by the Apostles. See 2 Corinthians 11:2.
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
The friend waits and listens for the voicing of the bridegroom’s happiness and joy [2]. As the friend, he rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom (29b).
Baptist John was waiting for the lamb of God, Jesus to appear (Matthew 3:13-17, John 1:29-34, John 1:36) and people flocking around him (John 1:37, John 3:26-30).
Baptist John heard the news about Christ in John 3:26.
‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him.’
Baptist John showed neither rivalry nor envy but was filled with the joy of the bridegroom’s friend.
He said in 29c, “This is my joy. It is now complete”. New American Standard Bible (NASB) translates, “So, this joy of mine has been made full”.
References
[1] Gerald L. Borchert, John 1–11, vol. 25A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 191–192.
[2] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961), 285.
A person can receive only what is given them from heaven
John 3:22-28
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptised. 23 Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptised. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him.’
27 To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.”
I. Baptism affirmed by Jesus (22)
In John 3:5, Jesus told Nicodemus about being ‘born of water’, which was related to the baptism of repentance. After Jesus talked with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside (22a). There, Jesus spent some time with his disciples and baptised (22).
Here, we can learn that baptism was affirmed by Jesus [1].
II. Only given from heaven (23-27)
Baptist John also was baptising (23), but everyone was going to Jesus (26). This trend was heard by the Pharisees (John 4:1). John 4:2 clarifies that it was not Jesus who baptised, but his disciples. Jesus had to leave Judea to avoid their jealousy (John 4:3).
How did Baptist John respond to this trend? See v27.
To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.
We may replace ‘from heaven’ with ‘from above’ (John 19:11) [2] or ‘by God’ (Today’s English Version) [2]. Baptism was not a human achievement but what was given by God.
We can learn this perspective from what Jesus said in John 6:44a.
‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,
It was by God that everyone was going to Jesus (26b).
III. The contrast between Jesus and Baptist John (28)
Baptist John did not exalt himself more than he should [3] as shown in John 1:20-21 and John 3:27-28.
Jesus is the Messiah and Baptist John is the forerunner of the Messiah (28).
Jesus is the light (John 1:4, John 1:9) and Baptist John is a witness to the light (John 1:7-8). Jesus is the Word (John 1:14) and Baptist John is the voice (John 1:23). Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33) and Baptist John baptises with water (John 1:31).
Let us continue to study Baptist John’s response (John 3:29-36) in the next lesson(s).
References
[1] Gerald L. Borchert, John 1–11, vol. 25A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 189.
[2] Barclay Moon Newman and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on the Gospel of John, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1993), 98.
[3] John Calvin, John, Crossway Classic Commentaries (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1994), Jn 3:27.
Works done in God
John 3:21
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
The title of today’s message is “Works done in God”. ‘done in the sight of God’ in v21b could be expressed as ‘done what is divinely wrought and divinely approved [1]’.
I. Overview
Let us read John 1:4 and John 1:10-11.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (or comprehended) it (John 1:4).
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him (John 1:10-11).
Therefore, all men would fall into the case of John 3:20 and no one would come to Christ or only the reborn men would be the case of John 3:21 [Tholuck, 2]. “The good conscience, which may present its strivings, weak as they are, before Christ, whatever of darkness is still about them, however, thereby receiving its judgement.”[Tholuck, 2]
So, God sent Baptist John as a witness to the light so that through him, all might believe (John 1:6-8). The witness makes difference!
Tholuck refers to John 8:47, John 18:37, John 6:44-45, and Mark 12:34 and places another interpretation, which may be seen by some as contrary to the biblical interpretation.
The interpretation of John 3:21 by [2] has been summarised or quoted in sections II and III.
II. Truth in John 3:21a
‘living by the truth’ (21a) means ‘to be upright, sincere’. It cannot mean the doing of revealed truth but the doing of objective truth as it shines upon the consciousness [2].
III. Works done in God (21b)
“And to endeavour earnestly to conform to this truth would be, `to be upright`, `to act according to the best of one’s knowledge and conscience`. The works which proceed from this are works done in God, i.e., relatively good works, striving towards their perfection in God (Romans 2:7). Thus, the uprightness is not to be conceived without the fruit of such deeds, nor indeed the doing without the root of uprightness. They are wrought in God. The upright man works unconsciously under the influence of the Logos, and thus his works, having their starting point in God, will continually reach out towards their full manifestation in the light.” [2]
References
[1] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 132.
[2] John Peter Lange and Philip Schaff, A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2008), 136.
Whoever Lives by the Truth Comes into the Light
John 3:21a
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light,
I. Lives by the truth
If we borrow the matching expression in the Old Testament for ‘lives by the truth’, it would be ‘to demonstrate one’s faithfulness”, “to act faithfully”, or “to act uprightly” [3].
II. Comes into the light
To remember that God is the initiator and principal actor in salvation [1] (John 3:16, 1 John 4:10, Romans 5:8, John 6:44), let us read John 6:44.
‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
Two different responses are written in John 3:20 and John 3:21.
III. Whoever
Some people persist in doing good and seek glory, honour and immortality. They will establish the experiential relationship with the light (John 1:4, John 17:3). See Romans 2:6-7.
6 God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’ 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life.
Some people stand on the side of truth. They listen (and come) to the light. See John 18:37b.
Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.
Some people hear God and learn from Him. They come to the light. See John 6:45.
It is written in the Prophets: “They will all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.
Some people are close to the kingdom of God. See Mark 12:34.
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’
The reference used for this section is [2].
References
[1] Borchert, Gerald L. The New American Commentary: John 1-11.
[2] Lange, John Peter; Schaff, Philip. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John.
[3] Bryant, Beauford H.; Krause, Mark S. The Gospel of John.
The Test by which Men are Judged
John 3:19–20 (NIV 2011):
19 This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
“This is the verdict” (19a) has often been translated as “This is the judgement”. King James Version translates it as “This is the condemnation”. The Bible in Basic English says “This is the test by which men are judged”. Common English Bible says “This is the basis for judgement”. God’s Word Translation says “This is why people are condemned”.
What is the test by which men are judged? See 19b~d.
light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
I. “light has come into the world” (19b)
‘light’ is explained in John 1:1-4. See John 1:4.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
‘life’ in the Word (Greek: Logos) is ‘light’. ‘life’ may be explained based on the definition of eternal life in John 17:3. That is, ‘life’ is the experiential relationship with God. That is, ‘life’ in Him may let your relationship with God restored and let you experience God.
In the Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46), the landowner sends his son as the last resort (Matthew 21:37). Likewise, God’s Son (light) was sent to the world as the last resort, for whom our respect was expected and deserved (Matthew 21:37) because the Son is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3) and the perfect sinless man.
That is, Jesus Christ came to the world to forgive and save us.
II. but people loved darkness instead of light (19c)
Here, ‘light’ is due to ‘life’ in him (John 1:4). If we replace ‘light’ with ‘life’, we can say that people loved death instead of life.
Let us check out the definition of ‘life’ and ‘death’ in Romans. See Romans 8:5-6.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Here, ‘life’ is defined as ‘the mind governed by the Spirit’ (Romans 8:6b). And ‘death’ is defined as ‘the mind governed by the flesh’ (Romans 8:6a). Based on these definitions, we can say that they loved their mind governed by the flesh instead the Spirit.
In the Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46), the tenants took his son, threw him out and killed him (Matthew 21:38), after which the judgement against the tenants follows (Matthew 21:40-41). Likewise, people in the world did not recognise and receive the Son (John 1:9-10) but killed him on the cross (John 19:18). Last week we have already studied about the present and future condemnation of the unbelievers.
III. “because their deeds were evil” (19d, 20)
Why do those whose deeds were evil love darkness instead of light? V20 answers the question. See v20.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
This shows that they love darkness and hate the light because they fear that their deeds will be exposed because light exposes and darkness hides them. So, their negative response to God’s Son Jesus proves that they have their evil deeds behind and so they want to hide their deeds. Their degree of hatred toward light may be proportional to their evil and guilt.
Choose Eternal Life or Condemnation
John 3:16–18 (NIV 2011)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
I. The Roles of God and Humans in Salvation (16)
See v16.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
‘God so loved’ and ‘he gave’ show that God was the initiator and principal actor in salvation [1]. This fact is supported by other verses in the Bible such as
1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Therefore salvation never originated with us [1].
Sin entered ‘the world’ through one man Adam, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned – (Romans 5:12). We are helpless without God’s salvation (Romans 3:23, Romans 3:20, James 2:10).
‘Whoever’ indicates everyone or all people. See 1 Timothy 2:1–6.
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
God wants all people to be saved (16, 17, 1 Timothy 2:4).
However, ‘believes’ shows that we have God-given freedom and are required to make a choice [1].
II. God of Care and Loving-Kindness (17)
See v17.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
‘God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world’ shows God is not angry and self-centred [1].
‘but to save the world through him’ shows God is caring, and His characteristic of loving-kindness [1].
III. Present Condemnation for the Unbelievers (18)
See v18.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
‘whoever does not believe stands condemned already’ shows that condemnation for the unbelievers is not left to some remote future but has already taken place for them so that they would need to escape an already existing condemnation [1]. At present, the unbelievers stand condemned already (18) and in future, they will rise to be condemned (John 5:29). That is, they will be judged and go to eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46) on that day of resurrection.
References
[1] Borchert, Gerald L. The New American Commentary: John 1-11.
The Cross and Eternal Life
John 3:12–15 (NIV 2011)
12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’
I. Earthly Things, Heavenly Things (12)
In John 3:3-8, Jesus has spoken to Nicodemus of earthly things (12a) that have been happening on earth and he could read them in the Old Testament. Regarding ‘Born of water’ (baptism), the Flood (Genesis 6:9-22, Genesis 7:1-24, Genesis 8:1-22) symbolises baptism, that is, the pledge of a clear conscience towards God (1 Peter 3:20-21) [2]. The Works of the Holy Spirit are seen in the Old Testament. See 1 Samuel 10:6 as an example.
The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.
The above sign for Saul, the 1st king of Israel, was fulfilled in 1 Samuel 10:10-11.
See 1 Samuel 16:13 for another example.
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Later, David became the 2nd king of Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). There are numerous examples in the Old Testament that show the changes done by the Holy Spirit.
But Nicodemus did not believe in the spiritual rebirth by water and the Spirit (John 3:9). If then, it would be even more difficult for him to believe if Jesus might speak of heavenly things (12b).
II. The Heavenly Man, Jesus, His Cross, and Eternal Life (13-15)
Who can tell him about heavenly things? See v13.
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
The first man, Adam was the earthly man. Only Jesus was the heavenly man (1 Corinthians 15:47-48, John 3:13). The heavenly bodies are imperishable, glorious, powerful and spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) and the believers will receive their heavenly bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). Jesus tells Nicodemus the way to eternal life in Him (14,15).
See v14.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
As written in Numbers 21:4-9, because Israelites grew impatient and complained in the desert, God sent venomous snakes to bite them and many of them died. After Moses prayed for the people, God let Moses make a bronze snake and put it up on a pole so that anyone bitten by a snake might live by looking at the bronze snake. Sin brings death (Romans 6:23, James 1:15). Like sin, the venomous snake bites and kills the victim. The bronze snake had the image of the snake without the venom or the attack. It healed and saved those who looked at it. This bronze snake represents Jesus Christ, who had no sin, became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) and was lifted up on the cross so that everyone who believes (15a) may have eternal life in Him (15b).
References
[1] Lange, John Peter; Schaffer, Philip. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John.
[2] THE HISTORY OF BAPTISM. Lifeway. https://explorethebible.lifeway.com/blog/history-of-baptism
Rebirth by God’s Sovereignty
John 3:9–11 (NIV 2011)
9 ‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked.
10 ‘You are Israel’s teacher,’ said Jesus, ‘and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
I. The Rebirth and The Sovereignty of God (9-10)
After Jesus explained about the ‘born of water and the Spirit’ (John 3:5-8), Nicodemus still couldn’t understand (9) as before (John 3:4). Nicodemus was not reborn (John 3:3), and he was spiritually ignorant (9, John 3:4). It is clear that the amount of education or knowledge does not guarantee the rebirth because it is ‘born of God’ (John 1:13). 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 shows the aspects of where the rebirth took place and why Jesus said ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 5:3).
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’
The Bible says ‘Knowledge puffs up while love builds up’ (1 Corinthians 8:1b). People with knowledge tend to be proud because of their knowledge and may be ‘mockers’.
“Mockers (also called “scoffers” in Scripture) defy and renounce truth and good things, not only to their own detriment and destruction, but that of others. They are provokers of others to wrong, strife, and evil.” [1] The Proverbs warns us not to rebuke them. See Proverbs 9:7–8.
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
BBE (The Bible in Basic English) translated ‘a mocker’ in Proverbs 9:7 as ‘a man of pride’. If they can’t see the kingdom of God (John 3:3), they may be living in hell or creating hell. Be very cautious as it is said ‘Don’t go to the hell’ because you will experience the hell of insults (Proverbs 9:7a), abuse (Proverbs 9:7b), and hatred (Proverbs 9:8a) if you happen to correct or rebuke the mockers.
II. The Fact and Reality of Rebirth is What We Know and What We Have Seen (11)
See v11a.
‘Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen’
Here, ‘We’ may indicate Jesus and Baptist John [1].
‘What’ is the fact and reality of new birth [2]. ‘We know’ is present tense and ‘we have seen’ is present perfect tense. Together Jesus is telling us that ‘We have seen once and still have before our eyes.’[2]
Baptist John sees, knows and testifies. He said ‘I myself did not know him’ (John 1:31, John 1:33a) but via the revelation of God (John 1:33b) he has seen the Spirit and become knowing & testifying (John 1:34).
Jesus has seen God (John 6:46) and sees what the Father does (John 5:19). Jesus was full of ‘truth’ (John 1:14) and the truth himself (John 14:6). ‘Truth’ is ‘the revelation of God’. That is, ‘we can know God through Jesus’.
See v11b,
‘but still you people do not accept our testimony.’
To accept our message is equivalent to “to believe what we say” or “to put confidence in what we declare” [3].
References
[1] There’s Four Types of People. https://baysidelifechurch.com/blog/2020/01/21/there-s-four-types-of-people
[2] Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel.
[3] Newman, Barclays M., Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John.
You must be born of water and the Spirit
John 3:4-8 (NIV 2011)
4 ‘How can someone be born when they are old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!’
5 Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.” 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’
Message
I. The Spirit gives birth to spirit (4-8)
Nicodemus interpreted rebirth literally and thought of physical rebirth (4). So, Jesus explained in v5-8 that rebirth is
- the prerequisite of entering the kingdom of God (5a).
- ‘of water and the Spirit’ (5b).
- not by flesh but by Spirit (6, 7), invisibly done like by the wind (8).
II. Born of Water and the Spirit (5)
Here, water is related to the baptism of repentance. Immersing in water during the baptism means my old self is dead in the Flood. That is, being born of water is the human side of action and means repenting one’s sins, and declaring one’s old self is dead in the Flood.
What about ‘being born of the Spirit’? It is God’s side of action and means forgiveness of sins and one’s spiritual cleansing & renewal by the power of God.
