What are the tests of fellowship with God and other Christians? What are the 3 major themes in the epistle of 1 John? What is the main purpose of 1 John?

1. “Authentic
Christianity”
A Series of Studies on the
Epistles of John

2. 1 John at a Glance1 John at a Glance
FOCUSFOCUS BASIS OF FELLOWSHIP BEHAVIOR OF
FELLOWSHIP
REFERENCEREFERENCE 1:1 ——————
2:15 —————
DIVISIONDIVISION CONDITIONS
FOR FELLOWSHIP CAUTIONS
TO FELLOWSHIP
TOPICTOPIC MEANING
OF FELLOWSHIP
ABIDING IN GOD’S LIGHT
MANIFESTATIONS
OF FELLOWSHIP
ABIDING IN GOD’S LOVE
LOCATIONLOCATION
WRITTEN IN EPHESUS
TIMETIME
a.d. 90

3. An Outline of 1 John
Introduction: The reality of Jesus Christ (1:1–4)
I. The Tests of Fellowship:
God is (1:5–2:29)
A. The test of (1:5–2:6)
B. The test of (2:7–17)
C. The test of (2:18–29)
obedience
love
truth
Light

4. II. The Tests of Sonship:
God Is Love (3–5)
A. The test of obedience (3:1–24)
B. The test of love (4:1–21)
C. The test of truth (5:1–21)

5. Three Main Themes
in 1 John:
 Light versus
 Love versus
 Truth versus
Darkness
Hatred
Error

6. Gnosticism
two fundamental errors:
 A “new” theology - a denial of the
incarnation.
Docetism: did not believe God became man in
Jesus Christ; He merely seemed to have a body.
Cerinthianism: claimed that the divine Christ
descended on Jesus at his baptism but departed
before the crucifixion, a view known as. This latter
view seems to be in the back ground of much of 1
John.

7. Gnosticism
two fundamental errors:
 A “new” morality - claimed
“to have reached such an
advanced stage in spiritual
experience that they were
’beyond good and evil.’

8. A Series of Tests
to
Determine Authentic Christianity
 In response to the “new” theology, John provides us
with a doctrinal test: What does the person believe
about Christ?
In response to the “new” morality, John provides us
with a moral test: How does the person respond to the
commandments of Christ?
Finally, he provides us with a social test: Does
the person love other Christians faithfully?

9. Comparison of John’s Writings
The Gospel of
John
The Epistles of
John
The Revelation of
John
Emphasis on
salvation
Emphasis on
sanctification
Emphasis on
glorification
Past history Present
experience
Future hope
Christ died for us Christ lives in us Christ comes for
us
The Word made
flesh
The Word made
real in us
The Word
conquering

10. Purposes of I John
A. That we might have (1:3).
B. That we might have (1:4).
C. That we might not (2:1–2).
D. That we might overcome (2:26).
E. That we might have (5:13).
fellowship
joy
sin
error
assurance