The Epistles of John © John Stevenson, 2011

The Gospel and the Epistle Historical narrative 1 st Epistle of JohnGospel of John Reflective Sermon In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (1:1). And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory… (1:14). What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life (1:1) …ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full (16:24). …these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete (1:4).

The Gospel and the Epistle 1 st Epistle of JohnGospel of John For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God (3:20-21) If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin (1:6-7).

The Gospel and the Epistle 1 st Epistle of JohnGospel of John A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another (13:34). Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning… (2:7).

The Gospel and the Epistle 1 st Epistle of JohnGospel of John We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren (3:14). He who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life (5:24). We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us… (4:6). He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God (5:47).

The Gospel and the Epistle 1 st Epistle of JohnGospel of John He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life (5:12). He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him (3:36).

This is a Book of Contrasts Light versus DarknessLight versus Darkness Truth versus ErrorTruth versus Error Love versus HatredLove versus Hatred Christians versus the WorldChristians versus the World

The Rise of Gnosticism From the Greek word gnosis (“knowledge”).From the Greek word gnosis (“knowledge”). It would arise in the 2 nd century, but its seeds were already evident.It would arise in the 2 nd century, but its seeds were already evident. The physical is bad; the spirit is good.The physical is bad; the spirit is good. Views of Jesus.Views of Jesus. –Docetism: Christ only seemed to be human. –Cerenthianism: The Divine Christ entered Jesus at His baptism and departed prior to His death. Salvation through knowledge.Salvation through knowledge.

What are some of the present day counterparts to ancient Gnosticism?

Your walk in the light will be evidenced… In how you walk and in what you say In how you obey In how you live In how you love In how you believe 1 st JOHN WALKING IN THE LIGHT Chapter 1Chpt 2Chpt 3Chpt 4Chpt 5

Study Questions for 2 nd and 3 rd John How does the author describe himself?How does the author describe himself? How does he describe his readers?How does he describe his readers? What are the key/repeated words?What are the key/repeated words? What is the “big idea?”What is the “big idea?” What problem is underscored?What problem is underscored? What solution is given?What solution is given?

2 nd John Truth Vs. Error Introduction 1:1-31:4-61:7-111:12-13 The Elder To the chosen lady and her children Whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever

2 nd John Truth Vs. Error IntroductionWalk in Truth 1:1-31:4-61:7-111:12-13 I was glad to find some of your children walking in the truth Just as we have received the commandment that we had from the beginning That we love one another

2 nd John Truth Vs. Error IntroductionWalk in Truth Warning against Error 1:1-31:4-61:7-111:12-13 Many deceivers Antichrist Abide in the teaching Don’t receive those who do not hold to this teaching

2 nd John Truth Vs. Error IntroductionWalk in Truth Warning against Error Conclusion 1:1-31:4-61:7-111:12-13

3 rd John Walking in Truth Commendation for Walking in the truth 1:1-81:9-111:13-141:12 The Elder The Elder To the beloved Gaius To the beloved Gaius The brethren came and bore witness to your truth The brethren came and bore witness to your truth They bear witness to your love before the church They bear witness to your love before the church

3 rd John Walking in Truth Commendation for Walking in the truth Negative example of Diotrephes 1:1-81:9-111:13-141:12 He loves to be the first He loves to be the first He does not accept what we say He does not accept what we say He does not receive the brethren He does not receive the brethren

3 rd John Walking in Truth Commendation for Walking in the truth Negative example of Diotrephes 1:1-81:9-111:13-14 Positive example of Demetrius 1:12 He received a good testimony from… Everyone Everyone The truth itself The truth itself

3 rd John Walking in Truth Commendation for Walking in the truth Negative example of Diotrephes Conclusion 1:1-81:9-111:13-14 Positive example of Demetrius 1:12

Develop a short presentation to the class on the following system of beliefs: The Ebionite Heresy The Docetic Heresy

Where in 1 st John or Jude do you find allusions to either of these heresies? The Ebionite Heresy The Docetic Heresy