BIBLE STUDY
TOPIC: STUDY OF THE EPISTLES OF JOHN
Introduction
The author of this book is called John, son of Zebedee, Mark 1vs 19-20. He also authored the gospel of John, the book of Revelation 1John1vs1, Rev 1:1
He was a fisher man and one of the inner circle of Jesus which included Peter and James. Also, he had the title of the disciple whom Jesus loved, (John 13 vs. 23)
The book of first John expresses in full God’s love to his children and teaches and encourages children to love one another as they live in the light. 1 John 1 vs 5-7
Date of the Book
It’s difficult to state the actual date but facts and evidence from early Christian writers suggests that it may be about 85 or 95 AD
Purpose of Writing : 1 John 1:3, 1:4.
He was writing to correct the wrong teaching in the church which was promoting “Gnosticism teaching” and redirecting believers to belief in the incarnate Christ.
Recipients
1John 2: 12-14, 19; 3:1, 5:13
Makes it clear that this letter was addressed to believers. But the letter itself does not indicate who they were or where they lived. The fact that it mentions no one by name suggests it was a circular letter sent to Christians in a number of places. Evidence from early Christian writers places the apostle John in Ephesus during most of his later years (C.A.D. 70-100). The earliest confirmed use of 1 John was in the Roman Province of Asia (in modern Turkey), where Ephesus was located. Clement of Alexandria indicates that John ministered in the various churches scattered throughout that province. It may be assumed, therefore, that 1John was sent to the churches of the province of Asia
Outline
I. Introduction: the Reality of the incarnation (1:1-4)
II. the Christian life as fellowship with the father and the son (1:5-2:38)
A. Ethical tests of fellowship (1:5-2:11)
i. Moral likeness (1:5-7)
ii. Confession of sin (1:8-2:2)
iii. Obedience (2:3-60
iv. Love of fellow believers (2:7-11)
B. Two Digressions (2:12-17)
C. Christological test of fellowship (2:18-28)
1. Contrast: apostates versus believers (2:18-21)
2. Person of Christ: The crux of the test (2:22-23)
3. Persistent belief: key to continuing fellowship (2:24-28)
III. The Christian life as Divine sonship (2:29-4:6)
A. Ethical tests of sonship (2:29-3:24)
i. Righteousness (2:29-3:10a)
ii. Love (3:10b-24)
B. Christological tests of sonship (4:1-6)
IV. The Christian life as an integration of the ethical and the Christological (4:7-5:12)
A. The ethical test” Love (4:7 – 5:5)
i. the source of love (4:7 -16)
ii. The fruit of love (4:17 -19)
iii. The relationship of love for God and Love for one’s fellow Christian (4:20 -5:1)
iv. Obedience: the evidence of love for God’s children (5:2-5)
B. The Christological test (5: 6-12)
V. Conclusion: Great Christian Certainties
