The Letters of John The Knowledge of Life Eternal November 29, 2015 Through the Bible in a Year Xavier Reyna, Director Ben Compere, Editor Wayman Lim, Choir Director Susan Turner, Prayer Warrior “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 “Few books in the New Testament are more loved, memorized, or quoted than 1 John. On the other hand one is hard pressed to find any books of scripture more ignored and less taught than 2 and 3 John…” D.L. Akin, “1,2,3 John”

Agenda Introduction Lesson Keys The Author The Audience Circumstances Relationship Style Purpose Summary Structure Analysis Tests of Life Application Test Agenda “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

An Introduction to a Book of the Bible Provides Three Things: 1.Information: general information about the book 2.Insights: to enhance a more detailed study of the book 3.Incentive: whets your appetite to pursue further study of the book Introduction “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

John’s Letters are Grouped in the General Epistles “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 Introduction

John calls on us to “test” our profession of faith by examining what we believe about Jesus, how we treat our fellow man and how we handle our failures to obey God’s commands to assure us that we possess life eternal. The “Tests of Life” Lesson “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 The Knowledge of Life Eternal

Two Keys to Aid in Understanding John’s Letters 1.Purpose: warn the readers against false teaching encourage them to know they have eternal life 2.False teaching issues:  Sin – do God’s children sin?  Loving one another – can we hate our brothers?  Correct Christology - can the Christ be human? Key “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

How Do We Know John is the Author? The Argument for Johannine Authorship All the epistles are anonymous!! The Gospel of John was written by John, the apostle 1 John is similar to the Gospel of John in vocabulary and style 2 & 3 John are similar to 1 John in vocabulary and style 2 & 3 John are closely related External evidence attests to John’s authorship The Author “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

What Little We Know About Those to Whom John Writes A network of churches close to Ephesus John is likely the venerated leader of these churches These churches have been recently harassed with false teaching The Audience “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 John’s Network of Churches

What Prompted John to Write These Letters? Theological conflict within John’s network of churches has resulted in people leaving the churches John refers to the schismatics as: –Deceivers (2 John 7 –Liars (1 John 2:4,22; 4:40) –False prophets (1 John 4:1) –Antichrists (1 John 2:18,22; 4:3; 2 John 7) Former church members among them (1 John 2:19) Continually seek to convert the church members (2 John 7-11) Circumstances “John has to combat false teachers who are splitting churches and taking followers with them...” C.L. Blomberg, “From Pentecost to Patmos ” “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

The Relationship Among John’s Correspondence “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 Relationship Gospel of John: Against the heretics 1 John: The heretics have begun to secede 2 John: Heretics attack those remaining 3 John: True believers are under siege Revelation: Believers have lost their first love “The three letters of ‘John’ provide a kind of sequel to the Gospel of John … Each of these letters addresses challenges very specific situations within the life of specific communities…” D.A. DeSilva, “An Introduction to the New Testament”

The Letters of John Compared and Contrasted Attribute1 John2 John3 John Chapters511 Verses Words Key Verse5: AuthorAnonymousThe elder RecipientsDear children: believers of John’s churches who had just experienced a church split The chosen lady: believers of John’s churches who are harassed by heretical missionaries Gaius, a friend of the elder and a church leader who has to deal with a malcontent, Diotrephes Relationship “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

The Letters of John Compared and Contrasted…2 Attribute1 John2 John3 John OccasionRecent departure of false teachers from the church False teachers desiring “hospitality” from believers Diotrephes making trouble in his local church PurposeTo assure them that they have eternal life in spite of what the false teachers are telling them To instruct the chosen lady not to provide “hospitality” to heretical missionaries To call attention to Diotrephes malicious works when the elder visits ThemesIncarnation, righteousness, love Truth, love, hospitalityTruth, hospitality Relationship “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

Helpful Facts for Understanding the Style of John’s Letters Affectionate: “dear, children, dear friends” (15 times) Limited and repetitive vocabulary: love, know, world, children, son Simple sentence structure: “God is love.” Frequent use of antitheses: light/darkness; love/hate; sin/righteousness; truth/lies Repetitive consideration of major themes No Old Testament quotations and only one allusion Style “It combines profound thought with simplicity of expression.” D. Guthrie, “New Testament Introduction” “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

The Purpose for John’s Letters LetterPurpose 1 JohnTo assure his “dear children” that they have eternal life in spite of what the false teachers are telling them 2 JohnTo instruct the chosen lady not to provide “hospitality” to heretical missionaries 3 JohnTo call attention to Diotrephes’ malicious works Purpose “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

Summary of John’s Letters 1 John – John writes to a congregation of his “dear children” and repeatedly explains three “tests of life” concerning (1) the believers’ relationship to sin, (2) the believers’ relationship to each other (love) and (3) the true believers’ conviction that Jesus the man is the Christ. He reviews these tests not only to refute false teachers but also to reassure his “dear children” of their possession of eternal life. Summary “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 2 John – John writes to the “chosen lady” to walk in love and to be on the lookout for deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. He urges her not to provide hospitality to these false teachers. 3 John – John writes to his friend Gaius to commend him for his adherence to the truth and his love and hospitality towards the fellow believers. He warns Gaius about the troublesome Diotrephes who is spreading malicious rumors about John and is refusing hospitality to John’s people. He also commends Demetrius.

The Structure of 1 John Not based on hard and fast divisions Based on recurrent themes Repeatedly cycles through three key themes which together form the “Tests of Life” –Sin: Do God’s children sin? –Loving one another: Can we hate our brothers? –Correct Christology: Can the Christ be human? Analysis “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 “The epistle is exceedingly difficult to analyze.” D.E. Hiebert, “An Introduction to the New Testament ” “Probably few commentators have satisfied themselves with their own analysis of this epistle; still fewer have satisfied other people. “ Alfred Plummer

1 John I.Prologue: (1:1–4) II.The Test of Life: Cycle One (1:5–2:27) A.Sin vs. Obedience (1;5-2:6) B.Love for One Another (2:7-17) C.Correct Christology (2:18-27) III.The Test of Life: Cycle Two (2:28-4:6) A.Sin vs. Righteousness (2:28-3:10) B.Love for One Another (3:11-24) C.Correct Christology (4:1-6) IV.The Test of Life: Cycle Three (4:7-5:21) A.Love for One Another (4:7-21) B.Correct Christology (5:1-15) C.Sin vs. Life (5:16-21) Analysis “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

1 John: The Tests of Life Analysis Tests Cycle 1Cycle 2Cycle 3 Sin 1:5-2:62:28-3:105:16-21 Love One Another 2:7-173:11-244:7-21 Correct Christology 2:18-274:1-65:1-15 Notice: Cycle 3 is out of order. “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

2 and 3 John are Much Easier to Analyze than 1 John 2 John I.Greetings to the Chosen Lady (1-3) II.Walk in Truth and Love (4-6) III.No Hospitality for False Teachers (7-11) IV.Benediction (12-13) 3 John I.Greetings to Gaius (1) II.Commendation of Gaius (2-8) III.Condemnation of Trouble- Making Diotrephes (9-10) IV.Commendation of Demetrius (11-12) V.Benediction (12-13) Analysis “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

John’s Three “Tests of Life” 1.Sin: relationship between sin and being God’s children (1:5-2:6; 2:29-3:10;3:23-24;5:4-21) 2.Loving one another: treat your fellow believers as Jesus treats you (2:7-10; 3:10-24; 4:7-5:3) 3.Correct Christology: believe that Jesus is the Christ come in the flesh (2:18-28; 3:23-4:6; 4:14-15; 5:1-15) “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 “In 1 John, the apostle repeatedly introduced these tests to help his readers come to an assurance about their relationship to God.” Lea and Black, “the New Testament” Tests of Life

The False Teachers Failed The Sin Test John’s Accusations: They claimed to –Have fellowship with God yet walk in darkness (1 John1:6) –Be without sin (1 John 1:8,10) –Know God but are disobedient (1 John 2:4) John’s Affirmations –To abide in God is to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6) –To sin shows one does not know God (1 John 3:3-6; 5:18) –Whoever sins belongs to the devil (1 John 3:7-10) –Anyone who has done evil has not seen God (3 John 11) “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 Tests of Life

The False Teachers Failed The Love Test John’s Accusations: They claimed to –Love God but hate their brothers and sisters (1 John 4:20) –Be in the light but hate their fellow Christians (1 John 2:9) John’s Affirmations –We should love one another (1 John 3:11-12,17-18) –Refusing to love one another means that one has not inherited eternal life (1 John 3:14-15) –God is love and to know him is to love (1 John 4:8-10) “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 Tests of Life

The False Teachers Failed The Christology Test John’s Accusations: They denied –The Son (1 John 2:23) –That Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4:2; 2 John 7) –That Jesus is the Christ (1 John 2:22) John’s Affirmations –Jesus is the Christ (1 John 5:1) –Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4:2) –Jesus is the Son (1 John 2:23; 3:23; 5:1) –Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 1:3,7; 3:8,24; 4:9-10,15) –Jesus Christ came by “water and blood” (1John 5:6) “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 Tests of Life

Historical Background on the Theology of the False Teachers Spirit/Matter Dualism: matter is the source of evil; spirit the source of good Docetism: the divine Christ could not possibly dwell in a genuinely human body, therefore Jesus’ body was an illusion and only seemed human “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 False Teachers

Historical Background on the Theology of the False Teachers…2 Cerinthianism: distinguishes between the heavenly Christ and the earthly Jesus. The Christ descended on Jesus at his baptism and departed before his crucifixion “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 False Teachers Jesus’ BaptismJesus’ Crucifixion Christ DescendingChrist Departing

Historical Background on the Theology of the False Teachers…3 Antinomianism (against the law): –Body (evil) and spirit (good) are not related therefore, the spirit can not be held responsible for the deeds of the body –Therefore, the body can do as it pleases since sin is an inherent quality of bodily existence –The spirit can not sin since it is inherently good Knowledge: – Knowledge, not love, is the highest virtue –Claimed to know God but their actions said otherwise “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 False Teachers

Two Keys to Aid in Understanding John’s Letters 1.Purpose: warn the readers against false teaching encourage them to know they have eternal life 2.False teaching issues:  Sin – do God’s children sin?  Loving one another – can we hate our brothers?  Correct Christology - can the Christ be human? Key “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

Do You Pass the Tests of Life? Application “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 TestQuestionGrade What type of life do we live? Sin Love Jesus Do we love other believers? Do we believe the correct teaching about Jesus? PASS

John wrote these letters because: A.He was unable to visit these churches B.His people had an incorrect view of sin C.False teachers were attacking his churches D.He needed their support to be elected bishop E.His churches were not loving one another Test “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” Heb. 1:1,2,

John’s “Tests of Life” deal with which topics?: A.Truth, knowledge and love B.Light, love and life C.Fellowship, hospitality and missions D.Sin, love and Jesus E.Eldership, apostleship and bishops Test “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” Heb. 1:1,2,

John’s purpose for writing was to: A.Rebuke false teaching B.Assure his “dear children and friends” of their eternal life C.Explain Greek philosophical thought D.Explain the how God is love E.Assert his apostolic authority over his network of churches Test “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” Heb. 1:1,2,