The Call of the First Disciples (Part 4)

2. The Following Two (John 1:43–51)
     The next day, two more men were converted to Christ. Their conversion circumstances were different than any of the first three, but they were truly converted.
     The conversion of Philip. Philip was not a prominent disciple like Peter but his conversion is reported in Scripture.

• First, the pursuit of Philip. Jesus … findeth Philip” (John 1:43). Philip’s conversion was like that of Apostle Paul in that Christ Himself sought out Philip (cp. Acts 9:3–5). Everybody does not have the same conversion experience. Andrew and John were pointed to Christ by John the Baptist. Peter was brought to Christ by Andrew. Now Philip is sought out by Christ. While conversion experiences differ, there is at least one constant, namely, conversion always includes a person coming to Jesus Christ.
• Second, the precept for Philip. “Follow me.” (John 1:43). Conversion involves following Christ. This means submission (follow is not leading but submitting to someone else; the Lordship of Christ is involved here) and the Savior (conversion focuses on Jesus Christ not Mary or some famous saint or prophet).
• Third, the place of Philip. “Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter” (John 1:44). The city of Bethsaida had many great spiritual privileges. It was the dwelling place of some of the greatest men ever (three disciples here), and in it Christ did some great miracles. Yet the city was cursed, for Christ said, “Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you” (Luke 10:13, 14).

     The conversion of Nathanael. As in the previous case in which after Andrew got converted and sought out Simon Peter, so here when Philip is converted, he seeks out Nathanael (some believe he is the Bartholomew of the twelve). Salvation precedes seeking, and the saved will seek.

• First, the communication to Nathanael. “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). This communication was supported by Scripture and focused on the Savior. That is what our preaching should also be and do.
• Second, the challenge by Nathanael. “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth” (John 1:46). The town of Nazareth had a bad reputation which it deserved. It was a wicked town. So Nathanael questioned that One as Holy as the Messiah would come out of Nazareth.
• Third, the coming of Nathanael. “Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him” (John 1:46, 47). Though Nathanael was a skeptic, he checked out the testimony of Philip and found it true. Much unbelief, however, is not willing to investigate the facts.
• Fourth, the cognizance of Nathanael. “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” (John 1:47) Good people need Christ, too, not just those on skid row.
• Fifth, the curiosity of Nathanael. “Whence knowest thou me? Jesus … said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou was under the fig tree, I saw thee” (John 1:48). Philip learned of the omniscience of Christ.
• Sixth, the confession of Nathanael. “Nathanael answered … Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel” (John 1:49). Evidence of the omniscience of Christ convinced Nathanael of the identity of Jesus as the Messiah and he confessed the same.
• Seventh, the compensation for Nathanael. “Believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these” (John 1:50). Faith has many wonderful compensations. Unbelief leads to eternal damnation. Faith leads to eternal bliss in heaven.
• Eighth, the comparison for Nathanael. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (John 1:51). This refers to Genesis 28:12—“ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven.” This ladders is often called “Jacob’s ladder.” This ladder was in a dream Jacob had in an overnight stay at Bethel after he had left home to go north to find a wife. The ladder is a comparison to Christ’s mediation work. Christ is the One only mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5). He spans the gulf from earth to heaven. Nathanael would perceive this truth.