1. 1
I John
Introduction

2. John the Apostle Son of Zebedee and Salome Partner in fishing business
Zealous
Ambitious Mother
Sat next to Jesus

3. John the Apostle First at the tomb Lived with Mary in Jerusalem
Lived in Ephesus
Wrote Gospel, Epistles, Revelation
Trained many early church leaders

4. The First Epistle of John
Dealt with “Gnosticism”
Gnosis = knowledge

5. The First Epistle of John
Greek concept of “Duality”
Flesh is evil / Spirit is God

6. The First Epistle of John
False teaching concerning Jesus’ identity:
Jesus had “Spirit” only for a time
Jesus was only a Spirit

7. I JOHN John presents the true Jesus in philosophical terms: Light / Love

8. Gnosticism challenged the teaching that we are saved by faith in Christ and only Christ.

9. John argues that we can be certain of our salvation without the secret knowledge of Gnostic teachers.

10. Outline – I John The Historical Jesus – 1:1-4 Certainty of Salvation
Certainty by Walking in the Light – 1:5-2:29
Certainty by Abiding in Love – 3:1-4:21
Certainty by Exercising Faith – 5:1-12
Conclusion – 5:13-21

11. The Knowledge of the Gospel Transforms us from:
Lost to saved
Condemned to forgiven
Sinner to saints
Kingdom of darkness to Kingdom of light
Slavery to freedom
Spiritually empty to spiritually full
Temporal to eternal

12. We are saved through the knowledge of Christ not through “secret” knowledge.

13. READING ASSIGNMENT: I JOHN