NT Survey I 1 John

Introductory Matters for 1 John Author: Author: Though he does not explicitly identify himself in 1 John (and only identifies himself as “the Elder” in 2 and 3 John), the best conclusion is that the Apostle John wrote all 3 of these letters. Similarity in vocabulary and style to the Gospel of John Testimony of the early church, including Papias, Polycarp, and Irenaeus Like Peter, John was fisherman who became an apostle of Christ and an eyewitness to His works and teaching. (He also disappears from the story of Acts after chapter 8). After leaving Palestine in the late 60’s, he ministered in Ephesus and provided apostolic oversight for churches in Asia Minor. He would later be exiled to Patmos by the Roman Emperor Domitian.

Introductory Matters for 1 John Date: Hard to pin down precisely, as there are no time indicators in the letter. We know it was late in the first century, probably after John’s gospel and between 80 and 90 AD. Date: Hard to pin down precisely, as there are no time indicators in the letter. We know it was late in the first century, probably after John’s gospel and between 80 and 90 AD. Audience: No one named. This was likely an epistle sent out to churches in Asia Minor for whom John served as an apostolic overseer. The relationship is one of intimacy and recognized authority. The readers were evidently people who had been believers for some time. Audience: No one named. This was likely an epistle sent out to churches in Asia Minor for whom John served as an apostolic overseer. The relationship is one of intimacy and recognized authority. The readers were evidently people who had been believers for some time.

Introductory Matters for 1 John Occasion: The letter seems to have been prompted by a change in attitude in the readers concerning their relationship to the world (2:15; 3:13), a lack of brotherly love (2:10,11), and a development of spiritual laxity. Such conditions made these readers ripe for false teaching, which this letter sought to confront and refute. Occasion: The letter seems to have been prompted by a change in attitude in the readers concerning their relationship to the world (2:15; 3:13), a lack of brotherly love (2:10,11), and a development of spiritual laxity. Such conditions made these readers ripe for false teaching, which this letter sought to confront and refute. Character of the book: Very “unletter-like” in comparison with other NT epistles; no opening greeting or closing salutation, no mention of names; yet shows a keen interest in and personal concern for the readers. Simple in language but profound in theological truth. Character of the book: Very “unletter-like” in comparison with other NT epistles; no opening greeting or closing salutation, no mention of names; yet shows a keen interest in and personal concern for the readers. Simple in language but profound in theological truth.

Backdrop of 1 John: the Error of Gnosticism Gnosticism did not profess outright opposition to the Gospel, but rather “re-interpreted” Christianity in terms of the prevailing thought of the day. Gnosticism did not profess outright opposition to the Gospel, but rather “re-interpreted” Christianity in terms of the prevailing thought of the day. There were two guiding principles that ran through all of Gnosticism’s teachings: There were two guiding principles that ran through all of Gnosticism’s teachings: The supremacy of intellect and the superiority of enlightenment to faith and conduct. Gnostics believed they possessed higher knowledge, which enabled a man to rise above lowly, earthbound matter into the spiritual apprehension of truth. The supremacy of intellect and the superiority of enlightenment to faith and conduct. Gnostics believed they possessed higher knowledge, which enabled a man to rise above lowly, earthbound matter into the spiritual apprehension of truth. Spirit is good and matter is inherently evil. Therefore there could not be a true incarnation of the Son of God. This led to the ideas of Docetism (Christ had only the appearance of a human body) and Cerinthianism (separated the man Jesus from the Spirit Christ). Spirit is good and matter is inherently evil. Therefore there could not be a true incarnation of the Son of God. This led to the ideas of Docetism (Christ had only the appearance of a human body) and Cerinthianism (separated the man Jesus from the Spirit Christ).

Major Themes in 1 John God God His relationship with Jesus His relationship with Jesus His relationship with His children His relationship with His children Jesus is the Christ/warning against false teaching Jesus is the Christ/warning against false teaching Love Love Fellowship Fellowship Truth Truth Assurance (“know”) Assurance (“know”) Commands Commands Abiding Abiding Antichrist (this term appears only in John’s letters in the NT) Antichrist (this term appears only in John’s letters in the NT) Pairs of Contrasts (1:6,7; 1:8-10; 2:4,5; 2:9,10; 3:7,8; 4:2,3; 4:4,5; 4:7,8; 5:10) Pairs of Contrasts (1:6,7; 1:8-10; 2:4,5; 2:9,10; 3:7,8; 4:2,3; 4:4,5; 4:7,8; 5:10)

Purpose Statement for 1 John John declared the truth that gave believers assurance of eternal life, fellowship with God’s children, and awareness of error. Or, in his own words… “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

Survey of 1 John The Basis of Fellowship (1:1 – 2:27) The Basis of Fellowship (1:1 – 2:27) Introduction (1:1-4) Introduction (1:1-4) Conditions for Fellowship (1:5 – 2:14) Conditions for Fellowship (1:5 – 2:14) Walk in the Light Walk in the Light Confession of Sin Confession of Sin Obedience to His Commandments Obedience to His Commandments Love for One Another Love for One Another Cautions to Fellowship (2:15-27) Cautions to Fellowship (2:15-27) Love of the World Love of the World Spirit of Antichrist Spirit of Antichrist

Survey of 1 John The Behavior of Fellowship (2:28 – 5:21) The Behavior of Fellowship (2:28 – 5:21) Characteristics of Fellowship (2:28 – 5:3) Characteristics of Fellowship (2:28 – 5:3) Purity of Life Purity of Life Practice of Righteousness Practice of Righteousness Love in Deed and Truth Love in Deed and Truth Testing the Spirits Testing the Spirits Love as Christ Loved Love as Christ Loved Consequences of Fellowship (5:4-21) Consequences of Fellowship (5:4-21) Victory over the World Victory over the World Assurance of Salvation Assurance of Salvation Confidence in Prayer Confidence in Prayer Freedom from Habitual Sin Freedom from Habitual Sin

Selected Interpretive Issues “No one who is born of God practices sin” (3:9) “No one who is born of God practices sin” (3:9) “Three that bear witness” (5:8) “Three that bear witness” (5:8) “Sin to death” (5:16) “Sin to death” (5:16)

Next Week: 2 and 3 John and Jude Eric Flintoff teaching