1. Prepared by Bro. Ted Hodge Jr. (MACBS 2017)
“That we may know him that is true” The Epistles of John
Prepared by Bro. Ted Hodge Jr. (MACBS 2017)

2. Theme “that we may know him that is true” The epistles of John
Talk 1 - “That which was from the beginning” (1:1-4)
Talk 2 - “God is light and in him is no darkness at all” (1:5-10)
Talk 3 - “The love of God perfected” (2:1-17)
Talk 4 - “Children of the devil” (2:18-4:6)
Talk 5 - “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (4:7-5:21)
Talk 6 - “Children walking in truth” (2 John, 3 John)
Theme
“that we may know him that is true” The epistles of John

3. Theme “that we may know him that is true” The epistles of John
Class 1 Agenda
“That which was from the beginning”
From the beginning
Manifestation of eternal life
Apostolic witness
The purpose of the message
Theme
“that we may know him that is true” The epistles of John

4. Three Beginnings in John
Beginning – Apostles
1 Jn. 2:7, 24; 3:11; 2 Jn. 1:5-6
Beginning – Christ
1 Jn. 1:1
Beginning – Creation
1 Jn. 3:8

5. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

6. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

7. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

8. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

9. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

10. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

11. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

12. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

13. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

14. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

15. Genesis & The Epistles of John
TOP 10 Comparisons
Genesis
Epistle of John
Beginning
1:1
1 Jn. 1:1; 2:7, 13, 14, 24; 3:8, 11
Light vs. Darkness
1:2-3
1 Jn. 1:5, 7; 2:8-10
Good vs. Evil
2:16-17
3 Jn. 1:11
Keep Commandments
2:16-17
2 Jn. 1:6
Truth vs. Error/Lies/Deceit
2:16-17; 3:1-5
1 Jn. 4:6
Father vs. The World/Devil/Antichrist
3:15
1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2:22; 3:10
Born of God, Children/Sons of God vs.
Children of Devil
3:15
1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 4, 18
Eternal Life vs. Death
3:22-24
1 Jn. 2:25; 5:13
Love of Brethren vs. Hate of Brethren/Murder 4
1 Jn. 3:13-14, 16
Abel -> Righteous Works vs. Cain -> Murderer 4
1 Jn. 3:12

16. Manifestation – “phaneroo”
Father/God/Love of God
Son of God
Eternal Life
1 Jn. 2:28, 29; 3:2, 5; 4:9
1 Jn. 3:8
1 Jn. 1:2

17. ‘Eternal life’ or ‘Life eternal’
23X in John’s writings (6X in epistles)
21X in the rest of the NT
“life” 48X in John writings (12X in epistles) always refers to “eternal life”
“aionios zoe” or “zoe aionios”

18. “Our hands have handled”
Apostolic Witness
“We have heard”
“akouo” 14X in 1 John, 9x referring to Christ. See Mark 6:2.
“We have seen”
“horao” 6X in first epistle, 3X in first 3 verses. See John 14:9; 20:25.
“We have looked upon”
  “theaomai” BDAG – ‘To have an intent look at something...’ See John 1:14 - “beheld”.
“Our hands have handled”
“pselaphao” Only 4X in NT – 1X epistle of John - 1X Luke 24:39. See also John 20:27 – similar idea.

19. Fellowship Order
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1. Fellowship with the apostles
2. Fellowship with God/Son

20. SUMMARY: John, grounds us in that which was from the beginning
SUMMARY: John, grounds us in that which was from the beginning. He takes us to the beginning - when we committed to the truth – to the apostles teaching and practice. We are completely dependent on their eye-witness testimony and written accounts of those things which they heard, saw, intently looked upon and even handled in order to have fellowship with God. John takes us to Christ – an earlier beginning - while everything is consistent with the beginning – there has been a manifestation - the clearest, most wonderful expression of God has taken place in His Son. John’s first terms of manifestation are those associated with eternal life. John like no other takes us to things eternal, in an elevated, lofty wonderful way we have come to things divine in John. He sets before us the promise of eternal life and proclaims for the children of God, that they have passed from death to life a reversal of the devastating fall in Genesis. It is no surprise then that he takes us back to the foundations in Genesis. Anchored in the themes of the very beginning John proclaims the message that is so vital for us to hear….