The 'I Am' statements are seven distinct declarations by Jesus in the Gospel of John, each echoing His divine identity as the 'I AM' of the Old Testament.
Les Feldick teaches that these seven statements parallel the seven Jehovah names of the Old Testament, fulfilling Israel's needs. Examples include 'I am the bread of life' (John 6:35) and 'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12).
John 6:35 — This is the first 'I Am' statement Les mentions, establishing the pattern.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven distinct 'I Am' statements, each using the Greek phrase 'ego eimi,' which connects to the divine name revealed in Exodus 3:14. These statements are: 'I am the bread of life' (John 6:35), 'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12), 'I am the door of the sheep' (John 10:7), 'I am the good shepherd' (John 10:11), 'I am the resurrection and the life' (John 11:25), 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6), and 'I am the true vine' (John 15:1), though the full list is not explicitly enumerated in the text itself.
Les Feldick teaches that the seven 'I Am' statements in John's Gospel are a New Testament counterpart to seven specific Jehovah names in the Old Testament, each addressing a distinct need of Israel. He emphasizes that Jesus' use of 'I Am' directly claims to be the same God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush, asserting His pre-existence and deity. Les also notes that these statements are part of a divine pattern, using the number seven as God's perfect number, and he points to an eighth 'I Am' in Revelation 22 as the final, climactic declaration.
Les Feldick explains that each 'I Am' statement in John parallels one of the seven Jehovah names in the Old Testament, such as Jehovah-Jireh (the LORD will provide) and Jehovah-Shalom (the LORD is peace). He sees these as fulfilling distinct needs of Israel, showing that Jesus is the same Jehovah who revealed Himself to the patriarchs and prophets.
Les Feldick identifies several specific 'I Am' statements in John: 'I am the bread of life' (John 6:35), 'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12), 'I am the door of the sheep' (John 10:7), 'I am the good shepherd' (John 10:11), 'I am the resurrection' (John 11:25), 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6), and 'I am the true vine' (John 15:1). He notes that these are seven in total.
Les Feldick teaches that while John's Gospel contains seven 'I Am' statements, there is an eighth in Revelation 22, where Jesus declares 'I am Alpha and Omega, the bright and morning star.' He sees this as the culmination of the seven, symbolizing the dawning of the eternal day.
Old Testament Jehovah Names
Les lists the seven Jehovah names in the Old Testament, setting the foundation for understanding the parallel 'I Am' statements in John.
Jesus as the I Am
Les explicitly states that Jesus' 'I Am' statements connect Him to the burning bush 'I AM' and identifies seven distinct uses in John.
Parallel Between Old and New
Les emphasizes that the seven 'I Am' statements in John parallel the seven Jehovah names, fulfilling Israel's needs.
First Two I Am Statements
Les reviews the first two 'I Am' statements in John: 'bread of life' and 'light of the world', showing the pattern.
Door and Shepherd
Les identifies the third and fourth 'I Am' statements: 'door of the sheep' and 'good shepherd', explaining their significance.
Eighth I Am in Revelation
Les introduces the concept of an eighth 'I Am' in Revelation, distinct from the seven in John.
Old Testament Examples
Les provides Old Testament examples of Jehovah names, including Jehovah-Jireh, to illustrate the parallel.
List of I Am's and Final Revelation
Les lists additional 'I Am' statements like 'true vine' and 'resurrection', and points to the final 'I Am' in Revelation.
John 6:35: And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
This is the first 'I Am' statement Les explicitly mentions in the review.
John 8:12: Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
This is the second 'I Am' statement, mentioned by Les as the next in the sequence.
John 10:7: Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
This is the third 'I Am' statement, identified by Les as the 'door of the sheep.'
John 10:11: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
This is the fourth 'I Am' statement, noted by Les as the 'good shepherd.'
John 11:25: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Les mentions 'I am the resurrection' as one of the seven.
John 14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Les includes this as one of the seven 'I Am' statements.
John 15:1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Les lists 'I am the true vine' as one of the seven.
Revelation 22:13: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Les refers to this as the eighth 'I Am' in Revelation.
Les Feldick teaches there are seven distinct 'I Am' statements in John's Gospel, each pointing to a different aspect of Jesus' divine identity. He emphasizes this pattern as proof of divine design.
Les explains that 'I Am' connects Jesus to the divine name revealed to Moses at the burning bush, asserting His pre-existence and identity as the Jehovah of the Old Testament.
Watch the Teaching: The 7 "I AM" Names of God — Old Testament to John's Gospel