1. New Testament BCM 103 Dr. Dave Mathewson Gordon College/Denver Seminary

2. Introduction to 1 John Catholic or General Epistles: Hebrew –3 John – more general audience, Christians scattered wide geographically, catholic=universal Catholic or General Epistles: Hebrew –3 John – more general audience, Christians scattered wide geographically, catholic=universal Paul’s letters to specific churches and/or persons Paul’s letters to specific churches and/or persons Some of the letters 1-3 rd John were addressed to some specific churches so may not be “general epistle” Some of the letters 1-3 rd John were addressed to some specific churches so may not be “general epistle”

3. 1 John: Author No indication or authorship and doesn’t start like a letter No indication or authorship and doesn’t start like a letter Jumps right in first verse: 1:1 Jumps right in first verse: 1:1 No indication of who wrote it and where it was going to No indication of who wrote it and where it was going to Church Fathers all claim 1-3 were written by John…several Johns though Church Fathers all claim 1-3 were written by John…several Johns though 1:1 fits well only with one present with Christ could have written it: Apostle John 1:1 fits well only with one present with Christ could have written it: Apostle John

4. Readers of 1-3 John Community left behind feel abused and got them to doubt whether they are the true people of God or not Community left behind feel abused and got them to doubt whether they are the true people of God or not They leave behind small group of embattled Christians They leave behind small group of embattled Christians

5. Johannine Community John –against heresy [proto-gnosticism] secret knowledge only available to elite few, salvation an escape from physical world John –against heresy [proto-gnosticism] secret knowledge only available to elite few, salvation an escape from physical world 1 John –heretics had infiltrated the church and now are leaving it—succeeding from it 1 John –heretics had infiltrated the church and now are leaving it—succeeding from it 2 John – heretics are attacking the church from outside 2 John – heretics are attacking the church from outside 3 John– church in danger of being taken over by heretics 3 John– church in danger of being taken over by heretics

6. 1 John: Main Purpose 1 John 5.13 – John writes to assure readers who doubt their spiritual status that they have eternal life 1 John 5.13 – John writes to assure readers who doubt their spiritual status that they have eternal life He writes to assure them of their spiritual status He writes to assure them of their spiritual status

7. 3 Tests for the true people of God 3 tests of spiritual status—cycled through the book 3 tests of spiritual status—cycled through the book 1) Love – for each other 1) Love – for each other 2) Obedience – to the commands of Christ 2) Obedience – to the commands of Christ 3) Confession – that Christ has come in the flesh  contra proto-gnosticism cf. Docetism (denied Jesus humanity) 3) Confession – that Christ has come in the flesh  contra proto-gnosticism cf. Docetism (denied Jesus humanity)

8. A Contradiction in 1 John? Christians Don’t Sin! Christians Don’t Sin! 1:7; 3:6, 9, 10 1:7; 3:6, 9, 10 Christians Do Sin! Christians Do Sin! 1:8, 10 1:8, 10 Continuing in sin—persist in it; John’s statement stronger than that Continuing in sin—persist in it; John’s statement stronger than that Already (died with Christ to sin) but not yet reality (they do sin) –indicative / imperative Already (died with Christ to sin) but not yet reality (they do sin) –indicative / imperative

9. Different Message for different times Hearing these at different times Hearing these at different times When we use faith in Christ as an excuse to sin we need to hear –Christians don’t sin When we use faith in Christ as an excuse to sin we need to hear –Christians don’t sin Yet when frustrated and tempted to doubt our spiritual status that separates us from Christ’s love  Christians do sin and have forgiveness Yet when frustrated and tempted to doubt our spiritual status that separates us from Christ’s love  Christians do sin and have forgiveness

10. 2 John Authorship: strong early testimony Authorship: strong early testimony Refers himself as “the elder” “to the elect lady and her children” Refers himself as “the elder” “to the elect lady and her children” Possibly a woman leader of the church there Possibly a woman leader of the church there Possibly it refers to the church itself (bride) metaphorical for church Possibly it refers to the church itself (bride) metaphorical for church Small contingent of house church Small contingent of house church Early tradition associates 1-3 John with Ephesus Early tradition associates 1-3 John with Ephesus

11. 2 John Background: False teachers are attempting to infiltrate the house church. Background: False teachers are attempting to infiltrate the house church. Verse 8-9: don’t let them in your house Verse 8-9: don’t let them in your house “House” = house church “House” = house church Itinerate preachers common, so warning about false teachers coming into church and teach Itinerate preachers common, so warning about false teachers coming into church and teach Message: John warns the congregation against accepting the false teachers into their midst. Message: John warns the congregation against accepting the false teachers into their midst.

12. 3 John Background – Diotrophes is dividing the church by trying to build a power base and gather a following Background – Diotrophes is dividing the church by trying to build a power base and gather a following Message – John writes to tell them how to deal with this troublemaker Message – John writes to tell them how to deal with this troublemaker Like listening to one half of a phone conversation Like listening to one half of a phone conversation