Introduction to 1 John.

This year, our youth group is going to be studying the books of 1st, 2nd, 3rd John and Jude. Throughout the year I hope to post some thoughts on what we have studied or what may have impacted me from the Word of God. On Friday the 4th we had our first study and looked at and introduction to the book of 1 John. We are using Pastor John Macarthur's study guide as an outline and for homework throughout the year.

Introduction to 1 John:

1 John is the first book and the largest of John's three epistles that he has written. It is not addressed to any particular church and is believed to be a general epistle. John the apostle, and disciple (Luke 6:13-14) of Jesus is the writer of the three books.
"This anonymity strongly affirms the early church's identification of the epistle with John the apostle, for only someone of John's well-known and preeminent status as an apostle would be able to write with such unmistakeable authority, expecting complete obedience form his readers, without clearly identifying himself. (e.g. 4:6). He was well-known to the readers, so he didn't need to mention his name." -John Macarthur.

The overall theme of the book of 1 John is 'a call to return to the fundamentals of the faith', or 'back to the basics'. John deals with absolute certainties of the Christian life, not opinions or differences. Christianity is expressed throughout the book in clear and simple terms that cannot be mistaken. As he was older in age while writing, John uses a warm, conversational tone, like a father having a loving conversation with his children.
As a pastor and shepherd of many of the early churches, he wrote form his heart out of concern of his beloved sheep. He desired that they would understand the basics of the faith and be joyful in their certainty of their salvation rather than be upset by the false teaching or current defections of others.

In many ways, we can see the way that John writes is very similar to pastors who faithfully and Biblically lead their congregations. They love those whom they shepherd with a sacrificial and serving heart, wanting them to come to a complete knowledge of God and His word. But also, at the same time, they expose the deeds of those who do not obey or follow after the truth. Just as a shepherd who guards his flock, the pastor, like John, condemns those who depart from the truth as "False prophets" (4:1), "those who try to deceive" (2:26, 3:7), and "antichrists" (2:18). He defines them as potentially coming form the source of all defection from sound doctrine (4:1-7).

Finally, John stresses throughout the book the fundamentals of the Christian life in absolute terms. He presents scripture as black and white and uses the contrast of light and darkness. These contrasts point to the reality of being a child of God or a child of the devil. There is no middle ground (3:10). This point is extremely helpful to us Christians to realize that we must be fully committed to living a life entirely for the glory and praise of God.

"Those who claim to be Christians must absolutely display the characteristics of genuine Christians: sound doctrine, obedience, and love. Those who are truly born-again have been given a new nature, which gives evidence of itself. Those who do not display characteristics of the new nature don't have it, so were never truly born again." 

 

"For a person to be convinced God can save from sin, one needs to see someone who lives a holy life. When Christians claim to believe in God's Word but do not obey it, the Word is dishonoured. Many have mocked God and His truth because of the sinful behaviour of those who claim to be Christians."

- John Macarthur

 

Blessings,

       Lucas C.