The Epistles of John © John Stevenson, 2011. The Gospel and the Epistle Historical narrative 1 st...

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).


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).


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


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



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



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



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



the truththe truth


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



the truththe truth


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

The Epistles of John © John Stevenson, 2011. The Gospel and the Epistle Historical narrative 1 st...

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