1 John Abide in the truth and love of Christ KV: 1Jn 3:23: “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”

Author Traditional view: John the Apostle 1:1-3 Eyewitness Johanine literature: Gospel of John 1, 2, 3 John Revelation

Church in Ephesus John in Ephesus after 66AD (Jewish war & destruction of Jerusalem 70AD) Ephesus: Syncretism, Emperor worship, gnosticism Paul dead, Timothy predecessor 7 Churches of Rev – joined by roads John pastored 30 yrs!

Observe Occasion Why was this letter written? Rep phrase: proclaim / writing these things to you “so that” / “because” / “that” Seek all references!

Occasion: “writing so that” 1:2 proclaim eternal life 1:3 “you too may have fellowship with us, Father, Son Jesus” – sin disrupts fellowship 1:4 “our joy may be complete” – sin takes away joy 2:1 “you may not sin” – obedience 2:21 “you know the truth” – affirmation against false teachers 1:26 warning against deceivers 5:13 “know that you have eternal life”

Compare Purposes Gospel of John Evangelistic aim John 20:31 Contain signs to evoke faith 1 John Assurance to believers of eternal life True knowledge of what faith implies Tests how to judge faith

Witness to truth 1:1-4 Bodily form of Jesus: Heard Seen with eyes Touched Water & blood Purpose: true fellowship in truth between John, readers & God – agree on doctrine

False teachers Observe “if”, contrasts 1:6, 1:8, 1:10, 2:3, 2:15 Light / darkness Love / hate Father / world Sinning / righteousness Words / deeds (3:18)

False teachers: Antichrist Denied: 1:1 pre-existence of Jesus 2:22 Jesus is not Christ 2:18-22 denies Father & Son (Sonship) 4:2 Jesus came in flesh 2:20 claimed secret knowledge (gnostics) 2:26 try to deceive 4:20 show little / no love 1:8, 10 Claimed to be sinless 2:4, 3:4 Don’t obey commandment of Christ

Example of false teaching Cerinthus in Asia Minor: Jesus was man Indwelt by Christ From baptism To just before crucifixion BUT 5:1, 6: natural birth, death, testimony of God

Safeguards against false teaching 2:20-21, 24 - anointed by the Holy One (Spirit) and know truth 2:26, 27 - indwelling Holy Spirit to guard them against deception 4:1-6 - they were to test the spirits and they would know the true spirits by their confessions

Abide in the truth fellowship 1:3, 7 not practicing sin 3:4-10, 2:29 Spirit abiding in them 3:24; 4:13 confess Christ 2:23; 5:1 keep commandment: believe & love 2:3, 5; 3:14, 23; 4:21 keep teaching first given 2:24; 3:11

Key words (2) The beginning1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11 World2:2, 15, 16, 17; 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 14, 17 Light4:5, 7; 2:8, 9, 10 Darkness1:5, 6; 2:8, 9, 11 Love Knowledge Hate2:9, 11; 3:13, 15; 4:20

Key words (2) Fellowship1:3, 6, 7 Truth1:6, 8; 2:4, 21; 3:18, 19; 4:6; 5:7 Word (logos)1:1, 10; 2:5, 7, 14; 3:18 Abide2:6, 10, 14, 17, 24, 27, 28; 3:6, 9, 14, 15, 17, 24; 4:12, 13, 15, 16 Sin

Key words (3) Lawlessness3:4 Deceive1:8; 2:26; 3:7 Life1:1, 2; 2:25; 3:14, 15; 5:11, 12, 13, 16, 20 Death3:14; 5:16, 17 Propitiation2:2, 4:10

Segments (1-5) (1) 1:1-4 Incarnation of Eternal Life (2) 1:5-2:6 Fellowship with God & man (3) 2:7-17 Christ, the new commandment (4) 2:18-27 Antichrists (5) 2:28-3:10 Abiding in Christ

Segments (6-8 ) (6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love (7) 5:6-12 Witness to Jesus (8) 5:13-21 Assurance of Eternal Life

(1) 1:1-4 Incarnation of Eternal Life “that which” = neutral Gospel message (word – logos – message) BUT ALSO Jesus (Word of Life – Jn 1:1, 14:6) “from the beginning” When Jesus came Gospel = plan of God from beginning Message about historical person – no Greek myth NB reality of Jesus Eyewitnesses!

(1) 1:1-4 Incarnation of Eternal Life Rep wrd: Life Seen, heard Made manifest – appearing of Jesus Seen, heard connected with proclaimed Fellowship Possessing something in common, partnership Sharing common life in Christ through Holy Spirit Man – Man – God (Purpose from beginning!) Ongoing, producing joy

(2) 1:5-2:6 Fellowship with God & man Conditions of fellowship – nature of God: God is light (FOS), love Light is symbol for righteousness Nothing is hidden from God – Ps 90:8 Walk in righteousness

(2) 1:5-2:6 Fellowship with God & man 3 obstacles to fellowship: Walking in darkness Walking = way of life (1:6,7; 2:6,11) own ways vs to live righteously Not practice truth vs live it! Claim we have no sin Sin in our hearts leads to outward actions Claim we have not sinned We are sinners – all need salvation (Rom 3:23)

(2) 1:5-2:6 Fellowship with God & man Propitiation of sins: We have a parakletos (advocate) Legal term: Jesus has right of appearance before God – no sin Jesus pleads our cause Forgiveness establishes the moral law Takes away wrath of God Divine wrath against all sin

(2) 1:5-2:6 Fellowship with God & man 2:3 Obey his commandments: Faith in Jesus as incarnate Brotherly love Thus obey the Father – just like Jesus Obedience = basis of service to Jesus Obey leads to Love of God perfected 4:10 Love is…

(3) 2:7-17 Christ, the new commandment Old = New LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE John 15:12! John 3:16 – self sacrificing Hatred = darkness vs Love = light

(3) 2:7-17 Christ, the new commandment 2:12-14: emphasize all have: Forgiveness of sins Knowledge of God Word of God abiding in them Victory over evil one

(3) 2:7-17 Christ, the new commandment 2:15-17: World: Heart set on worldliness World = temporary World vs Father: incompatible Gen 3:6 – sin of Eve Obedience NB for Eternal Life

(4) 2:18-27 Antichrists Many – went out of church, membership was only outward All Believers - Gift of Holy Spirit v20, 27 Every believer has knowledge – no mysteries, select few, no new ideas! Jesus = God & man Focus on original gospel message!

(5) 2:28-3:10 Abiding in Christ Little children – family relationship Note “confidence” / “by this we know” Be Christ-like! Sinning – walking in sin (habitually), rebellion, against moral law God transforms us Jesus vs Sin / Devil: incompatible!

(5) 2:28-3:10 Abiding in Christ God’s seed abides: Metaphor: human begetting Divine power frees us from sin, gives life Remains, continues Test = Love!

(6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love Love = heart of christian message! Evil wants to kill love Love does not abide in closed heart (“shuts up his entrails from him” – no emotion, compassion) Love = practical

(6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love Key verse: 1 John 3:23 Commandment: Believe in Jesus (faith) – “name” = whole person Love one another Spirit testifies to this! Spiritual maturity – love & bless the one who irritates!

(6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love Confidence: No reason to be unsure! Answered prayer increases confidence Builds relationship OBEY & DO = continued tense

(6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love Test every spirit: Jewish understanding: spirit gives prophesy OT – many false prophets By which spirit / Spirit do we prophesy? Note contrasts NB JESUS IN THE FLESH!!

(6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love God is Love – 4:8, 16 True love is rooted in God God’s nature is love Cross Gives meaning of love Source of life Note again our confidence – love casts our fear of punishment – 2 nd coming

(6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love Love – relationship / faith / trust – victory Love God – love His children Emphasis: overcoming the world

(7) 5:6-12 Witness to Jesus: Water, blood, Spirit 3 witnesses – Dt 19:15 3 options of meaning Blood & water from side of Jesus after death Metaphor for sacraments Water – baptism, blood - death Spirit testified at Jesus’ baptism, transfiguration

(8) 5:13-21 Assurance of Eternal Life Ask according to His will: Jn 14: ask in my (Jesus) name Jn 15:7 - remain in Jesus/ His words remain in you Jn 15:16 - ask in my (Jesus) name Jn 16: ask in my (Jesus) name 1 Jn. 3: we obey his (God’s) commands 1 Jn. 5:14 - ask according to his (God’s) will NB INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP

(8) 5:13-21 Assurance of Eternal Life Prayer: Care materially for brother (3:17-18) Care spiritually for brother (5:16) – intersessory prayer 3 Options: deadly sin Specific sin (OT) Apostacy – rejection of Christ Blasphemy against Holy Spirit (gospels)

(8) 5:13-21 Assurance of Eternal Life We know x 3: Not keep on sinning – Jesus protects Our origen: God Incarnation – faith is stimulus to right thinking! Keep yourself from all false gods! Stay in the truth of Christ & who He is