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The Epistles of JohnThe Epistles of John
© John Stevenson, 2011
The Gospel and the Epistle
Historical narrative
1st Epistle of JohnGospel of JohnReflective 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 Epistle1st 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 Epistle1st 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 Epistle1st Epistle of JohnGospel of JohnWe 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 Epistle1st 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 ContrastsThis 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 GnosticismThe Rise of Gnosticism• From the Greek word From the Greek word gnosisgnosis (“knowledge”). (“knowledge”).
• It would arise in the 2It would arise in the 2ndnd century, but its century, but its seeds were already evident.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.Docetism: Christ only seemed to be human.– Cerenthianism: The Divine Christ entered Cerenthianism: The Divine Christ entered
Jesus at His baptism and departed prior to His Jesus at His baptism and departed prior to His death.death.
• Salvation through knowledge.Salvation through knowledge.
What are some of the present What are some of the present day counterparts to ancient day counterparts to ancient
Gnosticism?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
11stst JOHN JOHNWALKING IN THE LIGHTWALKING IN THE LIGHT
Chapter 1 Chpt 2 Chpt 3 Chpt 4 Chpt 5
Study Questions for Study Questions for 22ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd John 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?
2nd JohnTruth Vs. Error
Introduction
1:1-3 1:4-6 1:7-11 1:12-13
• 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
2nd JohnTruth Vs. Error
Introduction Walk in Truth
1:1-3 1:4-6 1:7-11 1:12-13
• 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
2nd JohnTruth Vs. Error
Introduction Walk in Truth
Warning against Error
1:1-3 1:4-6 1:7-11 1:12-13
• Many deceivers
• Antichrist
• Abide in the teaching
• Don’t receive those who do not hold to this teaching
2nd JohnTruth Vs. Error
Introduction Walk in Truth
Warning against Error
Conclusion
1:1-3 1:4-6 1:7-11 1:12-13
33rdrd John JohnWalking in TruthWalking in Truth
Commendation Commendation for Walking in for Walking in
the truththe truth
1:1-81:1-8 1:9-111:9-11 1:13-141:13-141:121:12
• The ElderThe Elder• To the beloved GaiusTo the beloved Gaius• The brethren came and bore witness to The brethren came and bore witness to
your truthyour truth• They bear witness to your love before They bear witness to your love before the churchthe church
33rdrd John JohnWalking in TruthWalking in Truth
Commendation Commendation for Walking in for Walking in
the truththe truth
Negative Negative example of example of DiotrephesDiotrephes
1:1-81:1-8 1:9-111:9-11 1:13-141:13-141:121:12
• He loves to be the firstHe loves to be the first• He does not accept what we sayHe does not accept what we say
• He does not receive the brethrenHe does not receive the brethren
33rdrd John JohnWalking in TruthWalking in Truth
Commendation Commendation for Walking in for Walking in
the truththe truth
Negative Negative example of example of DiotrephesDiotrephes
1:1-81:1-8 1:9-111:9-11 1:13-141:13-14
Positive Positive example of example of DemetriusDemetrius
1:121:12
He received a good He received a good testimony from… testimony from…
• EveryoneEveryone
• The truth itselfThe truth itself
33rdrd John JohnWalking in TruthWalking in Truth
Commendation Commendation for Walking in for Walking in
the truththe truth
Negative Negative example of example of DiotrephesDiotrephes
ConclusionConclusion
1:1-81:1-8 1:9-111:9-11 1:13-141:13-14
Positive Positive example of example of DemetriusDemetrius
1:121:12
Develop a short Develop a short presentation to the presentation to the
class on the following class on the following system of beliefs:system of beliefs:
• The Ebionite Heresy
• The Docetic Heresy
Where in 1Where in 1stst John or John or Jude do you find Jude do you find
allusions to either of allusions to either of these heresies?these heresies?
• The Ebionite Heresy
• The Docetic Heresy