Even at a superficial reading, it is evident that the first epistle of John contains many wonderful and encouraging themes. For example:
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not…
The aged Apostle John is writing this epistle around AD90 to provide guidance and comfort to those brothers and sisters that had just experienced an ecclesial split, where those that followed the Gnostic heresy had left: “They went out from us” (2:19).
The Gnostics taught that they had a supe…
First John (2) – Our Fellowship Is With The Father Read More »
The first epistle of John was written around AD90 to provide guidance and comfort to those brothers and sisters that had just experienced an ecclesial split following the Gnostic heresy. As John wrote: “They went out from us” (2:19).
The Gnostics taught that they had a superior experiential k…
First John (3) – To Know God and Love Our Brother (2:3-17) Read More »
In the epistle of John, the apostle is writing to counter the false teachings of the Gnostics, but also to encourage the brothers and sisters left behind when the Gnostics had left the ecclesia. The table below shows the structure of the epistle. This article will finish the last few verses of the �…
First John (4) – Abide in the Son and in the Father Read More »
The first epistle of John was written to expose the false teachings of the Gnostics and encourage the faith of those that remained in the ecclesia after the Gnostics had left. The Gnostics claimed to have a superior knowledge (Gk gnosis) and relationship with God, yet they espoused teachings that we…
First John (5) – Becoming Sons of God Read More »
In First John, the Apostle John wrote to counter the wrong doctrine and wrong practice of the Gnostics. The Gnostics claimed a special experiential knowledge (Gk gnosis) of God, yet sadly their lives were more about experiencing sin, as discussed in the previous article covering chapter 3:1-9.
Th…
First John (6) – Cain and Christ Read More »
It will be recalled that at the time of 1 John there had been an ecclesial split over the teaching of the Gnostics. The Gnostics claimed to possess a profound knowledge (Gk: gnosis) of God and to have an intimate relationship with God that was far superior to that of other, lesser, brothers and sist…
First John (7) – God Is Love Read More »
As it will be recalled, First John was written to counter the false doctrines of the Gnostics, who arrogantly considered they had a superior knowledge and relationship with God to that of other brothers and sisters. They considered sin to be acceptable, based on the theory that as long as the mind …
First John (8) – This is the Victory that Overcometh the World Read More »
The final part of First John concludes John’s amazing little epistle of encouragement for the faithful that were holding on to the Truth, whilst also refuting the false teachings of the Gnostics that were leaving the Truth.
First John (9) – This is the True God and Eternal Life Read More »
