prem & amy saganti with rev (dr) and mrs. s. e. thomas @ cfcc 2009 january 10, 2009 studies from...

Prem & Amy Saganti with Prem & Amy Saganti with

Rev (Dr) and Mrs. S. E. ThomasRev (Dr) and Mrs. S. E. Thomas

@ CFCC 2009@ CFCC 2009

January 10, 2009January 10, 2009

Studies from theStudies from the

Epistles ofEpistles of JohnJohn

Walking in FellowshipWalking in Fellowshipwith Christ so as to Not be Drawn into False Beliefswith Christ so as to Not be Drawn into False Beliefs

• That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

• This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

• But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:4-10 KJV)

The First Epistle of JOHNThe First Epistle of JOHN • The similarities between this epistle and the Gospel of John provide conclusive

evidence that the author of 1 John was the Apostle John (see introduction to the Gospel of John), The usage of words like "truth," "light," and phrases like "in the light," and "born of God' in 1 John reveal the significant resemblances in structure, style, and vocabulary to John's Gospel.

• It is also significant that John's anonymity is evident in his epistles as it was in his Gospel (see introduction to John). He never uses his authority as an apostle in substantiating his message, but begins this first epistle much the same way as with the Gospel of John (1John 1:1, 2, cf. John 1:1, 2, 14). This differs from both Paul's and Peter's writings where they use their authority as apostles of Christ to give weight to their message.

• John was writing this epistle to believers, namely to those who were members of the churches of Asia Minor. Because the letter addresses such broad moral topics, it is clear that John's goal was to provide direction for those Christians who faced new challenges to their faith. At this time, there was an emergence of various groups whose teachings opposed Christianity. These people infiltrated the church, and there were many who gave in to their denial of the key fundamentals of Christianity (e.g., Christ's deity and resurrection).

http://www.cephas-place.com/1john.html

The First Epistle of JOHN The First Epistle of JOHN (contd.)(contd.)

• As opposition to the believers' faith arose, they were encouraged to continue walking in fellowship with Christ so as to not be drawn into false beliefs (1 John 1:5 - 2:2).

• The Book of 1 John is believed to have been written in approximately A.D. 90. There are several ways that this date can be substantiated. First, there are no references by John to any persecutions of believers. From an examination of church history during the first century A.D., one may observe that there were no significant persecutions on Christians until the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan (A.D. 98 -117).

• Secondly, if the date were closer to A.D. 70, John would certainly have had reason to refer to the catastrophic events surrounding the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the temple. However, an examination of the focus of John's epistle makes it obvious that he is instructing believers concerning the heretics that were being spread among them, not concerning some disaster that had come as a result of political events.

[Source for Introduction of chapter: Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible KJV edited by Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D. AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN 37422]

The First Epistle of JOHN The First Epistle of JOHN (contd.)(contd.)

• Hence, the infiltration of these corrupt ideas that the church was experiencing was most likely from gentile influences, not Jewish opposition. Thus, this would most certainly place the date of writing much later than A.D. 70.

• It has been suggested that this Book of 1 John is divided into four major sections. John seeks first to warn believers concerning indifference to morality and sin (1 John 1:1 -2:11) Next, he admonishes concerning a love for the things of the world as opposed to a love for the things of Christ (1 John 2:12 - 28). A third section deals with importance of the believer exhibiting a pure and righteous love, especially when relating to another brother in Christ (1 John 2:29 -3:22).

• Finally, John reveals that a true faith in Christ as the Son of God is


Love One AnotherLove One Another• I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children

walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

• And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

• And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (2 John 1:4-6 KJV)

The 2The 2ndnd Epistle of JOHN Epistle of JOHN • The Apostle John is unmistakably the author of this book (see introduction

to I John). It probably written about the same time as the Book of 1 John (AD. 85 -90) and may have addressed to some of the same people.

• The "elect lady and her children" (2 John 1:1) be a reference to an actual lady and her children, but many scholars contend that this is a cryptic way of addressing a church to safeguard against the letter falling into the hands of those who were hostile to the Church.

• The purpose of the book was to warn against false teachers who commonly traveled church to church spreading heresy. John instructed that these people should not even receive ordinary hospitality from those in the church (2 John 1:10, 11).

• Another objective of Book of 2 John was to inform the recipients of his plans to visit them soon. This is also as the reason for the brevity of the letter (2 John 1:12).


Children Walk in TruthChildren Walk in Truth"For I rejoiced greatly, when the

brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 1:3-4 kjv)

The 3The 3rdrd Epistle of JOHN Epistle of JOHN • The Book of 3 John was written by the Apostle John who calls himself 'the

elder'. It is closely related to the books of 1 and 2 John (see introductions to these books) in that they deal with similar subjects and were all written about the same time (ca. A.D. 86 -9O).

• John addressed this letter to Gaius who was a leader in the congregation of a church that John had most likely helped to establish. The purpose of this epistle was to encourage Gains to continue to help those who were spreading the gospel and teaching the truth (3 John 1:5ff).

• John also wanted to express his displeasure about the offensive behavior of Diotrephes who refused to accept John and was mistreating other believers (3 John 1:9). Furthermore, he revealed his intention to visit the church there himself and reprove this proud, selfish, and indifferent man (3 John 1:10).


From MSN EncartaFrom MSN Encarta• Epistles of John, three books of the New Testament.

Ecclesiastical tradition has ascribed them to Saint John the Evangelist.

• Today, however, considerable disagreement exists over the authorship of the five books ascribed to John: the three Epistles, the Gospel of John, and Revelation. Thus, for example, despite close similarities in language, literary style, and theology between the three Epistles and the Gospel, some scholars attribute the Gospel and 1 John to John the Evangelist, and 2 and 3 John to another author, perhaps “the elder” (a church official) named in 2 John 1:1 and 3 John 1:1.

• Other scholars attribute all four works to the same person, possibly “the elder,” instead of to John the Evangelist. Still other scholars, making no mention of the Gospel, attribute 1 and 2 John to one author and 3 John to another.

• A view favored by many commentators is that one author, who may have been “the elder,” wrote all three Epistles and the Gospel. Scholars generally agree that the letters date from about the turn of the 1st century AD.

From MSN Encarta: I JohnFrom MSN Encarta: I John• The first Epistle is in the form of a homily, rather than that of a traditional

epistle, with its characteristic salutation (giving the name of the writer and the destination of the letter) and closing greetings.

• Probably, it was written for circulation among the churches of a region, perhaps Asia Minor, instead of to a specific church or congregation.

• The author's primary concern, never specified in the letter, appears to have been certain “false prophets” (4:1) who denied “that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [and] is of God” (4:2). The teaching of these “antichrists” (2:18) was apparently an incipient form of Gnosticism, a religious philosophy that so disrupted the unity of the early churches that the author approved of the withdrawal by some of these “antichrists” from the Christian community (2:19).

• A second major concern was to counteract the “spirit of error” (4:6) introduced by the false prophets. The author reminds the faithful of the true revelation, that “God is love,” that “he loved us, and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins,” and therefore that “if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another,” for “if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us” (4:8-12).

From MSN Encarta: II JohnFrom MSN Encarta: II John• The second Epistle, the shortest book of the Bible

(consisting of 13 verses), is addressed to “the elect lady and her children” (1:1).

• Scholars agree that “the elect lady” referred to here is not a woman but a church, possibly one of the churches in Asia Minor.

• The author presents the main points of 1 John in a much abridged form (1:4-9), adding, however, the warning that “if any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house” (1:10). Such a person is “the deceiver and the antichrist” (1:7); and he that shows him hospitality “shares his wicked work” (1:11).

From MSN Encarta: III JohnFrom MSN Encarta: III John• The third Epistle, also a brief letter, is addressed

to an individual named Gaius (1:1),apparently an exemplary church member.

• The occasion for writing seems to have been the behavior of another member, Diotrephes (1:9). Diotrephes has refused to recognize the authority of “the elder,” who promises to deal personally with Diotrephes at a later time (1:10).

• The author praises Gaius for behaving properly (1:3-7) and urges him to continue being a fellow worker “in the truth” (1:8).

An Overview of I-JohnAn Overview of I-John

First Epistle of John: Summary Authentic Christianity

NOTES COMPILED BY

REV. DR. S. EDWARD THOMASi

JANUARY 2009

i Based on the works and books by Dr. Ray Steadman (RBC) - 2008

First Epistle of John: Summary Authentic Christianity

NOTES COMPILED BY

REV. DR. S. EDWARD THOMASi

JANUARY 2009

i Based on the works and books by Dr. Ray Steadman (RBC) - 2008

a. Peter the disciple was an erratic impulsive and brash man but Christ made him to be a steady and a dependable “rock” (literally means Peter)

b. Peter became a rallying point for I Century Christians in those days of intense persecution

c. John the youngest disciple, a hotheaded young man of 17 or 18 years easily given to sharp and impulsive speech and nicknamed by Jesus as “Son of Thunder” So our Lord called John and brother James, “Sons of Thunder”

d. Thundering John ultimately became “Apostle of Love” He devoted himself to a life of loving and serving Jesus

e. These epistles were written after gospel of John in the 1st Century in the city of Ephesus

f. These epistles were written to the Christians who are facing the dangers and trails in a godless world

a. Peter the disciple was an erratic impulsive and brash man but Christ made him to be a steady and a dependable “rock” (literally means Peter)

b. Peter became a rallying point for I Century Christians in those days of intense persecution

c. John the youngest disciple, a hotheaded young man of 17 or 18 years easily given to sharp and impulsive speech and nicknamed by Jesus as “Son of Thunder” So our Lord called John and brother James, “Sons of Thunder”

d. Thundering John ultimately became “Apostle of Love” He devoted himself to a life of loving and serving Jesus

e. These epistles were written after gospel of John in the 1st Century in the city of Ephesus

f. These epistles were written to the Christians who are facing the dangers and trails in a godless world

1/6

a. The Expectations of Authentic Christianity – i. Is walking in the Light and loving one another ii. Avoiding the love of the World, the spirit of Antichrist

b. The Behavior of Authentic Christianity – i. Practicing – truth, righteousness, and love ii. Victory of the World iii. Assurance of Salvation iv. Victory over habitual sin

c. The principle concern in Authentic Christianity is to make Christian life vital and effective through

i. Truth ii. Righteousness iii. Love

a. The Expectations of Authentic Christianity – i. Is walking in the Light and loving one another ii. Avoiding the love of the World, the spirit of Antichrist

b. The Behavior of Authentic Christianity – i. Practicing – truth, righteousness, and love ii. Victory of the World iii. Assurance of Salvation iv. Victory over habitual sin

c. The principle concern in Authentic Christianity is to make Christian life vital and effective through

i. Truth ii. Righteousness iii. Love

2/6

a. The wisdom of Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, Confucius, and Buddha contain similar (or same) advice for living that we find in the New Testament. Their advice can not give power to live but only Lord Jesus gives the needed power

b. James goes a step further and empowers to live by the “Golden Rule of Jesus” – Do to others as you would have them do to you

c. Fellowship with the Lord gives us the power to do. Paul also says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27

a. The wisdom of Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, Confucius, and Buddha contain similar (or same) advice for living that we find in the New Testament. Their advice can not give power to live but only Lord Jesus gives the needed power

b. James goes a step further and empowers to live by the “Golden Rule of Jesus” – Do to others as you would have them do to you

c. Fellowship with the Lord gives us the power to do. Paul also says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27

3/6

a. The truth is that Jesus is God and man which is against Gnostism which believes that matter is evil and the spirit is good. The evil of our bodies must be above and release the good spirit from it, the material body to achieve a form of nirvana or heaven or spiritual perfection

b. Trust is important and it takes more to be a Christian than simply mentally asserting to a certain doctrine or creed. To our truth we must add righteousness (“For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” Romans 2:13). Truth is meaning less if it doesn’t control our behavior.

c. John responds to the error of separating matter from evil by Gnostics d. We cannot allow sin and the Holy Spirit to inhibit the same body

(imagine trying to mix water and oil)

4/6

a. Truth and righteousness must be added with love in our lives b. Christian love is “Agape” – love that is based on our will, not our

emotions. In fact Agape love is precisely aimed at those who are hard to love

c. It is the same kind of love that Jesus demonstrated when he reached out to lepers and all other offenders

d. Fellowship and oneness with the Lord Jesus opens our hearts e. The epistle closes with the assurance that what God has told is true and

unshakable f. God is Love. Since we are of God, He has given us the understanding

to know Him and the power to experience of eternal life

5/6

a. He advises lastly that we should keep ourselves from idols. Idolatry - loving any thing more than God.

b. Idolatry may be to i. Self Love ii. Self Centered Ambition iii. Self Admiration iv. Self Beautification v. Self Exaltation vi. Obsession with Success, etc…

c. We must pray for deliverance from all the above idols as they rob us of our faith

d. We must give ourselves completely to the one who can fulfill all your hearts desires

6/6

prem & amy saganti with rev (dr) and mrs. s. e. thomas @ cfcc 2009 january 10, 2009 studies from...

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