1 I John Introduction

John the Apostle Son of Zebedee and Salome Partner in fishing business Zealous Ambitious Mother Sat next to Jesus

John the Apostle First at the tomb Lived with Mary in Jerusalem Lived in Ephesus Wrote Gospel, Epistles, Revelation Trained many early church leaders

The First Epistle of John Dealt with “Gnosticism” Gnosis = knowledge

The First Epistle of John Greek concept of “Duality” Flesh is evil / Spirit is God

The First Epistle of John False teaching concerning Jesus’ identity: Jesus had “Spirit” only for a time Jesus was only a Spirit

I JOHN John presents the true Jesus in philosophical terms: Light / Love

Gnosticism challenged the teaching that we are saved by faith in Christ and only Christ.

John argues that we can be certain of our salvation without the secret knowledge of Gnostic teachers.

Outline – I John The Historical Jesus – 1:1-4 Certainty of Salvation Certainty by Walking in the Light – 1:5-2:29 Certainty by Abiding in Love – 3:1-4:21 Certainty by Exercising Faith – 5:1-12 Conclusion – 5:13-21

The Knowledge of the Gospel Transforms us from: Lost to saved Condemned to forgiven Sinner to saints Kingdom of darkness to Kingdom of light Slavery to freedom Spiritually empty to spiritually full Temporal to eternal

We are saved through the knowledge of Christ not through “secret” knowledge.

READING ASSIGNMENT: I JOHN