The Epistles of John : 1 st Epistle of John

1. The Epistles of John:1st Epistle of John 1 February 2017

2. Traditional Images of the Apostle John

3. “The Apostle Jesus loved” • “The Most beloved Apostle” • The Apostle to whom Jesus entrusted the care of Mary, His mother • Bishop in the early church in Asia Minor • The Apostle to whom Jesus revealed the Revelation around 90-94 AD on Patmos

4. The Significance of the Epistles of John • The true theme of John’s letters is this: Truly Knowing God • Remember Jesus’ own words – “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” John 17:3 • John wrote these three brief letters in a time of great spiritual confusion (much like today) in order to assure his readers of their eternal life because they TRULY knew Jesus Christ • Scholars debate if John is actually the author but we have a great historical chain of witnesses no other NT book has

5. The Significance of the Epistles of John • Historical witnesses to John as author of these letters: • Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna and Papias approx. 150 AD • The writings of Irenaeus (Bishop of Lyon) & Eusebius approx. 175 AD • The letters of John and the Gospel of John are closer in language, style, world view and theology than any other NT books • The letters are believed to have been written when John was at Ephesus – where John is believed to have gone when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD • Likely time is believed to be between 95-100 AD – likely after John left Patmos and after he received the Revelation of Jesus Christ

6. The Significance of the Epistles of John • The three major themes of John’s letters are: • Right belief in Jesus • Right attitude toward sin • Right Christian relationships characterized by love • Principle issues the letter was written against was Gnosticism/Docetism and sinful, licentious living being preached by false teachers

7. 1 John 1:1-4 • The Word of Life • 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— • 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— • 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed jour fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. • 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

8. 1 John 1:1-4 • Verses 1-4 form the crucial foundation of John’s message – the eyewitness of Jesus Christ by the author • The foundation of these verses is essential for understanding the rest of the letter • The letter links to the beginning of John’s gospel and the book of Genesis – in showing Christ’s divinity • Not only does these verses speak to what John has physically observed but also speaks to what one would think are not observable – this could link to what John gained from the Revelation and also the faith born from his relationship with Jesus

9. 1 John 1:1-4 • Greek word for “fellowship” is “Koinonia” has a greater meaning than the English word. It is more than a close relationship but a deep association based on common interests and purposes. • John invites the readers into the fellowship of those who recognize Jesus Christ, the eternal life with the Father, has appeared on earth to be seen, heard and touched • It is an invitation to fellowship with God and His Son • Knowing God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is the greatest joy John knows and it is his purpose to invite others to come and share in this greatest of joys

10. 1 John 1:5-10 • Walking in the Light • 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. • 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. • 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. • 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. • 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. • 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

11. 1 John 1:5-10 • Light is an important attribute and metaphor for God – it is the first fundamental thing God created in the universe in Genesis 1:1 • John also tells us in John 1:5, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” • John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” • A key message John relates is that a profession of faith in Christ requires a life that matches it • “To walk” in Hebrew often means the way one lives and behaves

12. 1 John 1:5-10 • Walking in the light clearly means walks in close fellowship with God – in His light – and walking in righteousness, the good light of a proper good life • When we come to this fellowship with God we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ • In this view – it gives much greater meaning to accepting Jesus and what it means to REALLY come to fellowship with God and to gain His forgiveness by the blood of Jesus • Part of this key step is truly knowing and accepting the truth of our human condition – we are sinners • We cannot give into the human desire to say that we are all good – if we do this we are liars and this shows where this idea of human goodness comes from

13. 1 John 1:5-10 • When we are honest and humbly know we are sinners then we don’t deny our sins and in this we are led to confess our sins • When we are honest and confess our sins then God in His grace and love forgives us of our sins • In this we see how crucial it is that we are humble and honest before God in order to gain eternal life and fellowship with out Lord • A more direct and dangerous thing is if we deny that we sin – in doing this we call God a liar • Isaiah 5:20, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”

14. 1 John 2:1-6 Christ Our Advocate 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in Him, 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: 6 whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.

15. 1 John 2:1-6 • Now in chapter 2, John begins to speak to another purpose of the letter – that his readers will not sin • After correcting those who believe wrongly and deny or rationalize their sin, he now gives them the greatest hope for being honest and in the right relationship with God • That if we do sin, which we do, we have Jesus Christ to intercede for us and to save us from our sins • In verse 1 the actual word John uses for advocate is “paraclete” which in the Greek means “an eminent person giving support to someone making claim, or settling a dispute or rebutting a charge” • In Jesus’ case we have One of the highest status who will bring about a good outcome for His followers

16. 1 John 2:1-6 • Jesus’ status as the Highest Advocate comes from His divinity (as covered in chapter 1) and from His atonement and sacrifice • John returns to the important theme of knowing God – he shows that to know God is to be obedient to Him and to keep His commandments • In ancient “religions” and many that remain today the primary difficulty is to know what the deity desires – John shows us how different God the Father and Jesus Christ are from the pretenders • John is also focusing on the importance of Christian profession of faith and moral integrity • Truly knowing God MUST be a continuing relationship with God, striving to grow in obedience to Him

17. 1 John 2:1-6 • Obedience to God is the truest definition of knowing Him • Truth, in John’s thought, is not simply a collection of facts, but represents the integrity and authenticity of the entire message of redemption that God has revealed • Love is first mentioned in verse 5 and the meaning is that God’s perfect love must be lived out in the believer’s life – • The goal of God’s love for believers is reached in the transformation of how believers treat each other • Of the 116 times the noun “love” occurs in the NT, ¼ of them are in John’s writings – more than ½ of them are in 1 John • Importantly, the “Word” in verse 5 is the full message of redemption that God has revealed in Christ

18. 1 John 2:1-6 • The believer’s love for God reaches its fulfillment when that person loves Christ by living out His commands • Remember Jesus’ new command in John 13:34, “A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” • John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” • John 15:17, “This is my command: Love each other.” • Living out Jesus’ command to love is John’s major focus when he refers to commands in this letter • Verse 6 states the key view that Jesus, in His live on this earth, is the role model for the Christian believer • Jesus’ life on this earth is THE example for the believer who wants to “remain” in Him

19. 1 John 2:1-6 • Believers in whom the love of God has gained its goal by producing love for others can know that they are “in Him” • A Christian’s relationship with God is not a series of encounters but a stable, continuous way of life that begins with the new birth in Jesus • Because of this vital, new life born of God, the one who claims to remain or abide in Him ought to walk as Jesus did

20. 1 John 2:7-10 The New Commandment 7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

21. 1 John 2:11-13 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.

22. 1 John 2:14 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

23. 1 John 2:7-14 • John reminds us that what he has just written – that one who knows God must keep His command and the one who abides in God must live as Jesus lived – is NOT a new idea but is an old command • The love for God, obedience to His commands, expressed in love for others was central even to the old covenant • Deut. 6:5, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” • Lev. 19:18, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” • John now addresses in verses 7-11 the second great commandment to love others

24. 1 John 2:7-14 • BUT the command of Jesus transforms the old command into something new – to love more than simply as you love yourself • Now it is to love as Jesus loves us – truly, powerfully new in its scope and intensity • Jesus is the new circumstance that has changed the old command, He is the light which is causing darkness to pass away • One truly following Jesus is one truly “in the light” and does NOT hate their brother or sister • Again we see the importance of the heart, the full and truly transformation of Christ’s followers verses the ones who simply act on appearances

25. 1 John 2:7-14 • Hate for others is moral darkness and is inconsistent with God who is light • Love is doing nothing that would tempt a brother or sister to act contrary to God’s will • There is no neutrality – darkness is evil, it is not being in the light of God, one must be either in the light or the dark because one cannot be only be partially in the light as we have already seen John show • It is simple – when one does not love, we sin. • It is likely that John uses the different stages of a man’s life to show growing in faith and responsibility among the Christian community • Verses 12-14 reinforces that the death of Jesus Christ is the basis of our new relationship with God and we are made new covenant people by His blood

26. 1 John 2:15-17 Do Not Love the World 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

27. 1 John 2:15-17 • Here is the first of ten imperatives given by John in this letter • Love for the world is excluded from living in the light – it is mutually exclusive with love for the Father • “Love” here refers to an attraction to something that one wants to enjoy, an indulgence in things that are not in the light – it is a want to participate in rebellion against God • The desire of the flesh is the desire for those things that pertain merely to this life, which in the light of eternity count for nothing • “Desire of the eyes” probably means the short-sighted desire for only those things the eyes can see • The limited nature of creation is pointed out in that it is “passing away” and cannot compare to the eternal that is God

28. 1 John 2:18-21 Warning Concerning Antichrists 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

29. 1 John 2:18-21 • John now introduces the idea of antichrists – from the Revelation he certainly knows of the Anti-Christ but he now sees and explains that there are many who work counter to Jesus – “antichrists” • This is probably the main circumstance that motivated the writing of this letter • The term “antichrist” only appears in John’s works • The antichrists of whom John speaks are a current and future problem • Their heretical teaching is of an evil proportion similar to the danger of the final antichrist, these teachings could effectively destroy the church

30. 1 John 2:18-21 • Most dangerously we see that many of the antichrists come out of the church family • This very thing makes them more dangerous and more insidious – today we see their effects in the church as it denies Jesus and His Word • John’s use of “last hour” speaks of the fact that the final stage of God’s dealings with the world, initiated with the death of Jesus Christ and proceeding through the period of the world’s hostility toward Jesus and His followers and culminating in the resurrection and judgement at the end of history, has begun • Very importantly, John points out that his readers don’t need to follow false teachings seeking special or hidden knowledge – followers of Jesus already know all of His truth

31. 1 John 2:18-21 • Gnostics – believed they held mystical knowledge that went beyond Jesus’ teachings, particularly that all matter was evil and only the spirit could be holy. Denied the actual human life and sacrifice of Jesus • Docetists – believed that Jesus only appeared to be human but was not – very similar to the gnostics • Some believed that Jesus the man was not Christ, only the Spirit of God descended on Him at His baptism then left prior to His crucifixion • Some worshiped the Holy Spirit as a source of gaining spiritual knowledge and devalued Jesus’ human ministry and atoning death

32. 1 John 2:22-25 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He made to us—eternal life.

33. 1 John 2:26-27 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him.

34. 1 John 2:22-27 • One of the most direct definitions of an “antichrist” is one who denies Jesus Christ • He is by definition the opposite of Jesus • There could not really be an antichrist until Jesus the Christ had come • This is another evidence of why we are now in the “last hour” because Jesus has come and begun His work and is now known • One cannot have fellowship with God the Father if they deny Jesus Christ His Son. The right understanding of Jesus is a crucial element of true fellowship with the Father which is the only solid basis of assurance of eternal life

35. 1 John 2:22-27 • John calls all in verse 24 to remain in the truth which is the only way to remain in God • It is the continuing state of the believer adhering to the apostolic teaching that must be reinforced and is so important • It is absolutely clear what is at stake here – “eternal life” between the truth of Jesus and the lies of the antichrists • John reinforces that those who left the faith to teach heresies have made themselves antichrists and what they teach is unquestionably wrong • Verse 27 frames the discussion tying back verse 20 of the nature of truth about Jesus in the context of the inward working of the Holy Spirit

36. 1 John 2:22-27 • It is likely that the heretics were justifying their new ideas as a new work of the Holy Spirit that took them beyond the apostolic teachings • John reminds his readers that they were convinced by the teaching about the person and nature of Jesus Christ and embraced His truth which is attributed to the genuine working of the Holy Spirit in each of them • Ultimately John is reminding them that they already know everything they need to know about the person and work of Jesus Christ and do not need to seek our special teachings or new ideas

37. 1 John 2:28-29 Children of God 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.

38. 1 John 2:28-29 • The eschatological consequences of remaining in the truth is pointed out, Jesus will return and in that perspective the importance of being true to Him is absolutely crucial • It is the return of Jesus that is the key frame of the topic of who Jesus is and is directly tied to John’s earlier reference to the “last hour” • With Verse 29, John transitions to explaining that only children of God can live in a way that is without sin • The new birth is the radical transformation necessary to enter the kingdom of God • In Jewish eyes one’s birth dictates key elements of who they are and how they live – this takes a greater meaning when one if newly born of the Son of God

39. 1 John 3:1-3 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.

40. 1 John 3:1-3 • The world is alienated from God and God’s love creates people who are His children ad who then are also alienated from the world • John is still concerned about God’s children living righteously – because God is righteous, His children must live righteously. Because God loves, His children must love. • Because Christians have been born of God, they are no longer of the world. • An important point here is that we, as God’s children are a work in progress – it is not God’s purpose to allow us to remain as we are now. • The full benefit of our status cannot be even imagined in this world, all will be revealed in the future, at the end.

41. 1 John 3:1-3 • Because what we believe about the future influences how we live today, the future should be the basis for us to purify ourselves today • That certain future – with God, with our Lord Jesus Christ – with all the blessings of being like Jesus when He returns, gives us the motivation to become more like Jesus in life now.

42. 1 John 3:4-7 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous.

43. 1 John 3:8-10 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

44. 1 John 3:4-10 • John turns his focus to those who do not live as if they wish to become like Jesus • This is an important lesson as John uses the Greek word “anomia” which translates as “lawlessness” • “Anomia” is the rejection of God’s authority and the exaltation of the autonomy of the self. • Many atheists have this root problem of rejecting the idea of the existence of God because their hearts are lawless and they reject the thought of a Being to whom they must submit. • This is an innate human problem but it is part of maturing that we realize the need to be obedient, to society’s laws, to our family’s rules, ultimately to God’s law

45. 1 John 3:4-10 • By referring again to Jesus, John presses the point that sin has no place in the Christian life – importantly because Jesus came into this world for the very purpose of taking away sins. • It is a crucial point – remaining in God means refraining from sin • When a Christian is tempted to sin they must decide whether they wish to live in Christ because they must know that there is no way to justify sin as compatible with life in Christ • Verses 6-9 cause the Christian much angst and fear – what human does not sin? • The key way to understand John’s statements is in relation to “anomia”

46. 1 John 3:4-10 • There are many ways to discuss these statements and they are meant to be hard but they are NOT a contradiction to John’s other statements on sin • What John is referring to here is the sin from “anomia” – that is the sin that has NOT been confessed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ • John will tell us in 5:16-17 that there is sin that does not lead to death • The sin of a believer who acknowledges and confesses it is of a different type than the sin of those who refuse to confess and submit to God’s authority • The Christian may sin, but if they are truly of God, they will agree with Him that their sin is sin, will confess it, and turn from it.

47. 1 John 3:4-10 • The key question John is putting before Christians is who is your Spiritual Father? This is even further tied up in the issue of love – reminding us of the key place that love MUST have in the live of the Christian

48. 1 John 3:11-14 Love One Another 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

49. 1 John 3:11-14 • John comes back to one of the most essential and central lessons from Jesus – to love one another • The key message is this: those who don’t love their brother or sister are directly disobeying God given by Jesus Himself – a failure to love others is a symptom of a failure to love God Himself • Cain is the counterexample for us as he was the world’s first murderer, the archetype sinner • Cain’s motive shows a foundational spiritual principal about life in this world: those who do not do what is right hate those who do. • This reflects the problem in the churches John is writing to – brothers and sisters were trying to justify and rationalize their sinful beliefs and practices and trying to get others to go along with them

50. 1 John 3:11-14 • It is not loving in any way to sway someone to disobey God or to believe false things about Him – someone who does that is not of God, they are of the world and the evil one • As believers in Christ we have crossed from death into life and are not of the world – so the world hates us and will work against us as it works against God • But those who continue to hate, those who do not love their brothers and sisters, remain in death