1 John 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
Knowing God’s Word First John
Knowing God’s Word Last week we took a look at the epistle of II Peter, written to Christians to watch for problems from within (false teachers) This week we move onto the epistle of First John I John is the 23rd book in the NT and is the 5th of the General Epistles (Hebrews through Jude)
Knowing God’s Word Evidence (internal & external) points to the apostle John as the author of this letter, although it does not bear his name The style, content, language and themes bear a strong similarity to the Gospel of John Ex. Compare John 1:1 & 14 to I John 1:1-2
Knowing God’s Word Early church fathers such as Polycarp, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian and Papias attributed this letter to John Some of these men lived alongside John and wrote within 20 years of the completion of this letter This gives ample proof of John’s authorship
Knowing God’s Word John was an apostle of Jesus and referred to himself, not by name, but “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (21:20) John was exiled on the island of Patmos, according to Revelation He was likely the last surviving apostle at that time
Knowing God’s Word John was the brother of James and the son of Zebedee and Salome He and his brother James were called “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus Himself (Mk. 3:17) His brother James was killed by Herod in Acts 12:1-2
Knowing God’s Word The likely date of the writing of this letter would be the last decade of the first century There are some who wish to date it prior to the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70) Many believe it was written between 90-95 AD
Knowing God’s Word There is no specific audience that is addressed in this epistle It seems to be a general epistle that was written to be circulated and read by all Christians everywhere John Wesley even referred to this letter as a “tract”
Knowing God’s Word John seemed to write this letter to reassure Christians of some things that were being challenged by false teachers (Gnostics – I Jn. 2:26) Gnostics claimed to have a superior knowledge of God Many of them did not believe that Jesus came in the flesh and existed as physical
Knowing God’s Word This is one of the reasons that John establishes the fact that Christ had come in the flesh (Jn. 1:1, 14; I Jn. 4:1-3) This is how John goes on to tell us that we can know we have eternal life, if we believe in Jesus (5:13) So John teaches, comforts and encourages them
Knowing God’s Word John says he writes: “that your joy may be full” (1:4) “that you may not sin” (2:1) “concerning those who try to deceive you” (2:26) “that you may know that you have eternal life” (5:13) “that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (5:13)
Knowing God’s Word Key Verses in I John: 1:4 1:7-9 2:1-3 2:15-17 3:1-3 3:4-5
Knowing God’s Word Key Verses in I John: 3:16-18 3:22 4:1 4:7-11 4:20-21 5:3-4
Knowing God’s Word Key Verses in I John: 5:7-8 5:11-13 5:14-15 5:16-17 5:19
Knowing God’s Word Outline of I John: Manifestation of Life (1:1-4) Certainty Through Walking in the Light (1:5-2:29) In Personal Spiritual Conduct (1:5-2:6) In Social Relationships (2:7-11) In Separation From the World (2:12-17) In Adherence to the Truth (2:18-29)
Knowing God’s Word Outline of I John: Certainty Through Abiding in Love (3-4) The Ethical Proof of Love (3:1-12) The Social Proof of Love (3:13-24) The Theological Proof of Love (4:1-6) The Emotional Proof of Love (4:7-21) Certainty Through Exercise of Faith (5:1-12) The Resultant Certainties of Life (5:13-21)