I John - Jesus Is The Life [1] This letter was written by the aged Apostle John in the year AD 90, probably in Ephesus. Unlike the other apostles, he does not address his letter to any church or any particular person. He writes to all Christians, old and young (2:12-14). He calls Christians by a tender word "teknia" -- which means "born ones." God is dealing with His very own born-again children. He wrote his epistle that those who believed in Christ might KNOW that the have eternal life (5:13) "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."

Four Reasons for writing the letter.
1. That they might be happy - 1:4
2. That they might not sin - 2:1
3. That they might be on guard against error - 2:26
4. That they might KNOW - 5:13

John was:
1. The disciple whom Jesus loved.
2. He stood close to Him on the cross at Calvary.
3. He looked into the empty tomb on that morning of the resurrection.
4. On Patmos he was lifted up by the spirit and saw a door opened into heaven.

In Chapters 1-3 we find out if we are living like Christians.
In chapters 4-5 we discover whether we are believing like Christians.

God in the Epistles of John
God is Light - 1:5
God is Love - 4:8, 16
God is Righteous - 2:29
God is life - 5:11, 12
God is Truth - 2 John
God is Good - 3 John

"The book should be regarded as the writer's's attempt to encourage his readers in the pursuit of a life of fellowship with God in the family of God. There is a strong strain of the imitation of Christ, or better, the reproduction of the life of Christ, running through the epistle (4:17b). It finds its focal point at 5:18, where the Christian is described as one born (gvgennamenos) of God, and the same term (gennaqeis) is used of the Lord Jesus. Since both are born of God they share a common life (5:11-12) and they should walk in the same way (2:6), obey the same commandment of love (2:8), accept the same treatment from the world (3:1), and enjoy the same freedom from sin (3:5, 9). The secret is in abiding in him in whom sin has absolutely no place (3:6)."[2]

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This letter was written by the aged Apostle John in the year AD 90, probably in Ephesus. The destination of this second letter is enigmatic.

This is a good example of John's private correspondence. This letter was addressed to an unknown Christian woman. This is the only book in the Bible addressed to a woman. Some believe that the "chosen lady" is a figurative way of designating a particular church.

The word "truth" is found five times in this short letter of but thirteen verses. It is the key word. "Love" occurs four times. Truth and love are inseparable.

Test your experience by the Word of God, but never test the Word of God by your experience!

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This letter was written by the aged Apostle John in the year AD 90, probably in Ephesus.

This letter is a very personal letter and was written to his generous and warmhearted friend called Gaius.

This man was the type of the true Christian layman who has dedicated his wealth and talent to the Lord. His purse strings are loose and his latchstring is out. All he has belongs to Christ. This is the picture of the man who has found Christ to be THE WAY.

Gaius was noted for his loving hospitality. John urges him to continue entertaining the traveling preachers in spite of bitter opposition of an autocratic and blustering church official named Diotrephes. Hospitality is a manifestation of Christian love. Demetrius, who himself may have been a traveling teacher, probably delivered the letter to Gaius.

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1 John
I. Introduction: The Purpose of the Letter, 1:1-4

II. Conditions for Fellowship, 1:5-2:2

A. Conformity to a Standard, 1:5-7
B. Confession of Sin, 1:8-2:2

III. Conduct in Fellowship, 2:3-27

A. The Character of Our Conduct - Imitation, 2:3-11
B. The Commandment of Our Conduct - Separation, 2:12-17
C. The Creed for Our Conduct - Affirmation, 2:18-27

IV.Characteristics of Fellowship, 2:28-3:24

A. In Relation to Our Prospect: Purity, 2:28-3:3
B. In Relation to Our Position: Righteousness and Brotherly Love, 3:4-18
C. In Relation to Our Prayers: Answers, 3:19-24

V. Cautions of Fellowship, 4:1-21

A. Concerning False, Lying Spirits, 4:1-6
B. Concerning a True, Loving Spirit, 4:7-21

1. The ground of brotherly love, 4:7-10
2. The glories of love, 4:11-21

IV. Consequences of Fellowship, 5:1-21

A. Love for the Brethren, 5:1-3
B. Victory over the World, 5:4-5
C. Verification of Christ's Credentials, 5:6-12
D. Assurance of Eternal Life, 5:13
E. Guidance in Prayer, 5:14-17
F. Freedom from Habitual Sin, 5:18-21

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JOHN (Jahhn) Greek form of Hebrew name meaning, "Yahweh has been gracious."

John the Apostle, one of the sons of Zebedee. The sons of Zebedee (John and James, not the brother of our Lord) were among the first disciples called (Matt. 4:21-22; Mark 1:19-20). They were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee and probably lived in Capernaum. Their father was sufficiently prosperous to have "hired servants" (Mark 1:20), and Luke 5:10 states that James and John were "partners with Simon" Peter.

John is always mentioned in the first four in the lists of the twelve (Matt. 10:2; Mark 3:17; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). John is also among the "inner three" who were with Jesus on special occasions in the Synoptic Gospels: the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37), the transfiguration (Mark 9:2), and the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-33). Andrew joined these three when they asked Jesus about the signs of the coming destruction of Jerusalem (Mark 13:3).

The sons of Zebedee were given the surname Boanerges, "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17).

The apostle John appears three times in the Book of Acts, and each time he is with Peter (1:13; 3:1-11; 4:13,20; 8:14). After Peter healed the man, they were arrested, imprisoned, and then released. They were "unlearned and ignorant men" (Acts 4:13), but they answered their accusers boldly: "we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).

The disciple in these verses was the Beloved Disciple, who reclined with Jesus during the last supper (13:23-26), stood at the cross with Jesus' mother (19:25-27), ran with Peter to the empty tomb (20:2-10), and recognized the risen Lord after the great catch of fish (21:7).

Legends about the apostle continued to develop long after his death. According to tradition, John lived to an old age in Ephesus, where he preached love and fought heresy, especially the teachings of Cerinthus. The tomb of John was the side of a fourth-century church, over which Justinian built the splendid basilica of St. John. The ruins of this basilica are still visible in Ephesus today.

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Probably from Ephesus

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A.D. 90 (late 80's / early 90's)A.D. 90 (late 80's / early 90's)

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Many identify the trends of Gnosticism, so prevalent in Asia Minor at that time, but the scope of the book is much larger and speaks to the truth of the Christian's relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, a warning concerning coming "Anti-Christs," and the call to a holy walk in response to a loving God.

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The four great contrasts:[7]
1. Light and Darkness (1:6-7; 2:8-11)
2. Love of "the world" and the "Love of God" (2:15-17)
3. "Children of God" and "Children of the Devil" (3:4-10)
4. Love and Hate (4:7-12, 16-21)

The six views of God:[8]
1. God is Light (1:5)
2. God is Righteousness (2:29)
3. God is Love (4:8, 16)
4. God is Life (5:11, 12)
5. God is Truth (2 John )
6. God is Good (3 John)

The seven tests of our walk with God:[9]
1. Are you walking in The Light? (1:6)
2. Are you admitting that you are a sinner? (1:8)
3. Are you obeying God's will? (2:4)
4. Are you imitating Christ? (2:6)
5. Are you a loving person? (2:9)
6. Do you have a strong relationship to the world? (2:15)
7. Do you prove Christ is Righteous by your life? (5:3)

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John 5:13
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."

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"The Gospel of Jesus Christ", According to John; 2 John; 3 John and
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ", According to John.

Quick Links to specific Topics below

1.   1 John - Jesus Is The Life

2.   1 John - Brief Outline

3.   2 John - Jesus Is The Truth

4.   2 John - Brief Outline

5.   3 John - Jesus Is The Way

6.   3 John - Brief Outline

7.   About The Writer John

8.    About the Place of Writing

9.    About The Date of Writing

10.  About The Occasion For Writing

11.  The Characteristics Of The Book

12.  The Key Verse Of The Book

13.  Companion Writings

[1][3][4] Mears, Henrietta C., "What The Bible Is All About," p. 633 ff., Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Publishing, Minneapolis, 1966
[2] Harrison, Everett F., Senior Professor of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary, "Introduction to the New Testament," p. 438 ff., Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, 1971
[5] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, "Ryrie Study Bible, expanded edition," p. 1924, New International Version, Moody Press, Chicago, 1994
[6] "Edited text taken from the HOLMAN BIBLE DICTIONARY, © Copyright 1994 Parsons Technology, Portions taken from © Copyright 1991 Holman Bible, Used by permission."
[7] Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. "Ryrie Study Bible, Expanded Edition," p. 1924. New Internal Vrsion, Moody Press, Chicago (1966)
[8] Mears, Henrietta C. "What the Bible is All About," p. 633 ff., Billy Grahm Evangelistic Association Publishing, Minneapolis (1966)
[9] ibid., p. 635

2012-11-23