1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2009 Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2009

2. Dear User … This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. PLEASE USE AS IS. John’s Epistles An Appeal

3. Ekkehardt Mueller Principal Contributor

4. John’s Epistles Contents 1. Jesus and the Johannine Letters 2. Experiencing the Word of Life 3. Walking in the Light: Turning Away From Sin 4. Walking in the Light: Keeping His Commandments 5. Walking in the Light: Renouncing Worldliness 6. Walking in the Light: Rejecting Antichrists 7. Living as Children of God 8. Loving Brothers and Sisters 9. Believing in the Son of God 10. Confidence 11. Important Themes in 1 John 12. John’s Letter to the Chosen Lady 13. Power Struggle INTRODUCTION FIRST EPISTLE SECOND EPISTLE THIRD EPISTLE

5. John’s Epistles Our Goal {5} The three epistles of John speak to issues relevant for the church today. We would do well to listen to them, because ultimately, it is God who is speaking to us through John’s words, the God who has revealed to us truths about a greater and firmer foundation upon which we can rest: our Creator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

6. John’s Epistles Lesson 9, August 29 John’s Epistles Lesson 9, August 29

7. Believing in the Son of God Key Text 1 John 5:5 ESV “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

8. Believing in the Son of God Initial Words {111} Ideas about who Jesus is have varied not only in antiquity but also today. Who Jesus is and what He claimed about Himself impact every human being. The way we think about Jesus influences dramatically how we relate to God, how we understand the plan of salvation, and how we can have assurance of salvation.

9. Believing in the Son of God Quick Look 1. The Importance of Testimonies (1 John 5:1) 2. Testimonies of Water and Blood (1 John 5:6) 3. The Testimony of God (1 John 5:9, 10)

10. Believing in the Son of God 1. The Importance of Testimonies 1 John 5:1 NIV “Everyone who believes Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.”

11. 1.The Importance of Testimonies Belief in Jesus {116} Two to three witnesses were required in the Old Testament to confirm a matter (Deut 19:15). John wants to make clear that the case of Jesus has a sound foundation. He wants to show that we have good reasons for believing. For John, the idea of various testimonies about Jesus is quite important.

12. 1.The Importance of Testimonies In John’s Gospel {116} 1. John the Baptist’s testimony (John 1:6, 7). 2. Jesus’ own testimony (John 3:32). 3. Of the Samaritan woman (John 4:39). 4. By Jesus’ works (John 5:36). 5. Of the Scripture (vs 39). 6. Of God the Father (John 8:18) 7. The resurrection of Lazarus (John 12:17). 8. Of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). 9. Of John himself (John 21:24).

13. Believing in the Son of God 2. The Testimonies of Water and Blood 1 John 5:6 NKJV “ T his is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.”

14. 2. The Testimonies of Water and Blood The Jesus in Whom We Believe {114} J esus came as incarnate Lord and began His public ministry by being baptized with water. He ended His earthly ministry on the cross, when He shed His blood. Apparently, water points to Jesus’ baptism and blood to His death on the cross (1 John 1:7). Baptism and crucifixion, then, point to who Jesus was and what He was to accomplish for us.

15. 2. The Testimonies of Water and Blood The Jesus in Whom We Believe {114} John was still dealing with the false teaching of these antichrists. If Jesus was neither the Messiah nor the Son of God, their message would be, Such a concept would lead to a completely different understanding of salvation and of the Godhead. The atoning death of the Son of God is not necessary for salvation. The Son of God did not die on the cross in our place in order to redeem us.

16. 1 John 5:9, 10 NASB “ I f we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. … The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe Go has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.” Believing in the Son of God 3. The Testimony of God

17. God’s Gift {116} T he testimony of the Father in our text has been understood differently. “And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.” 1 John 5:8 It seems to make the most sense if connected with the threefold testimony mentioned in the preceding verses. That is, this threefold testimony is, basically, God’s testimony.

18. God has provided a wonderful gift for humanity. This gift is eternal life (1 John 5:11, 12). However, it is available in Jesus Christ only. How can we receive this gift? By accepting God’s testimony about His son, for instance, by believing in and accepting Jesus. 3. The Testimony of God God’s Gift {120}

19. Jo hn clearly states that those who do not have the Son of God do not have life, while those who have Jesus have everlasting life. No wonder the issues of salvation are so important. They are, literally, a question not just of life or death but of eternal life or eternal death. 3. The Testimony of God God’s Gift {120}

20. Believing in the Son of God Final Words {122} “I n Him was life, original, unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He can possess it only through Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him as a free gift if he will believe in Christ as His personal Saviour. ‘This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent’ (John 17:3).” Selected Messages 1:297