1. 1 JOHN 2 JOHN 3 JOHN

2. 1 John - The Tests of Eternal Life I. Author: A. Anonymous B. Eyewitness C. Wrote Gospel, 2 and 3 John D. Apostle John E. Acknowledged

3. II. Recipients: A. Circular Letter B. Ephesus area C. Gentile Believers III. Date : 90-95 AD

4. IV. Heresy A. Perfectionism: Deny sin B. Antinomianism: Deny standards C. Docetism: Deny body of Christ D. Cerinthianism: Deny deity of Jesus

5. V. Purpose A. Practical 1. Joy 2. Holiness 3. Assurance

6. B. Doctrinal 1. Humanity of Christ 2. Deity of Jesus Theme - Tests of Salvation

7. Gnostic Doctrines vs John’s Tests of Eternal Life perfectionismvs confess sin antinomianism vs keep the commandments and love

8. Gnostic Doctrines vs John’s Tests of Eternal Life docetism vs belief in Christ’s full humanity cerinthinismvs belief in Jesus’ deity throughout life

9. 1 John - The Tests of Eternal Life Introduction Reality of Incarnation 1:1-4 Cycle 1 Fellowship with God 1:5-2:28 Cycle 2 Divine Sonship 2:29-4:6 Cycle 3 Loving Relationship 4:7-5:12 Conclusion 5:13-21 Certainties of Christian Life

10. 1 John - The Tests of Eternal Life Keeping God’s Commandments Loving One Another Believing in Jesus as the God-man 1:5-2:6 2:7-17 2:18-27 Cycle 1 2:28-3:10 3:11-24 4:1-6 Cycle 2 5:16-21 4:7-21 5:1-15 Cycle 3 Each test entails the other two 3:23-24

11. AUTHOR of 2 and 3 John 2 John 3 John The Elder Same as 1 & 3 John Apostle John Antilegomena The Elder Same as 1 & 2 John Apostle John Antilegomena

12. Also, if ever a person came my way who had been a Companion of the elders, I would inquire about the sayings of the ELDERS-- what was SAID by Andrew, or by Peter, or by Philip, or by Thomas or James, or by JOHN or Matthew or any other of the Lord’s disciples; and what things Aristion and the ELDER JOHN, the disciples of the Lord, SAY. For I did not suppose that what I could get from books was of such great value to me as the utterances of a living and abiding voice. Papias Statement 110AD

13. 2 John I. Recipients: Chosen lady and children = Church II. Date: 90-95 AD III. Heresy: A. Denial of humanity of Christ B. Indiscriminate fellowship with heretics

14. 2 John IV. Purpose: A. Commend love B. Detect heresy C. Don’t fellowship with heretics V. Theme: Truth

15. 3 John I. Recipients: Gaius II. Date: 90-95 AD III. Heresy: A. Diotrophes opposing traveling teachers B. Excommunication of others who welcome traveling teachers

16. 3 John IV. Purpose: A. To urge fellowship with true believers B. To recommend Demetrius V. Theme: Hospitality

17. 1 John – OUTLINE Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 I. Keeping God’s Commandments 1:5-2:6 2:28-3:10 5:16 II. Loving one another 2:7-173:11-24 4:7-21 III. Believing in Jesus as the 2:18-274:1-6 5:1-15 God-man Each test entails the other two (3:23-24) 1, 2 and 3 John - Outlines

18. 2 John - OUTLINE Greetings 2-3 I. Commendation for Faithfulness 4 II. Warnings against deceivers denying humanity of Jesus Christ 5-9 III. Exhortation to the discriminate exercise of love 10-11 Closing 12-13

19. 3 John - OUTLINE Greetings 1-2 I. Commendation of Gaius 3-8 II. Condemnation of Diotrephes 9-10 III. Exhortation to Gaius 11 IV. Recommendation of Demetrius 12 Closing 13-14

20. Early Church Ministries 3 John Types Place John Apostles Traveling leaders Demetrius Prophets/ Teachers Traveling leaders Diotrephes Elders Local leaders

21. The Johannine Community Gospel (contra schismatics) 1 st Epistle (schismatics have begun to secede) 2 nd Epistle (secessionists attacking from outside) 3 rd Epistle (orthodoxy an embattled minority) Revelation (lost their first love)