TNT124
1 John
a.introduction
The First Epistle of John, traditionally referred to as 1 John, is the first of three short letters biblically called 1,2, and 3 John which are also associated with the Gospel of John and his final contribution to the cannon of Holy Scripture, the book of Revelation.
These 3 letters have been dated around 85-95 a.d. John was known in the churches in Ephesus as a disciple and Apostle of the Lord Jesus, a man with over 60 years of sharing from his vast experience of being mentored, taught, experienced Spiritual blessing from seeing first hand the signs and miracles that Jesus performed that that confirmed that Jesus was the messiah, the son of the living God.
This letter is not addressed to a specific church or individual, but rather to a wider Christian audience, offering guidance and encouragement in faith.
John called out the false teachers who were opposing the teaching that it was impossible for Jesus to be Divine and human at the same time simply because the flesh was evil and divinity perfectly holy. The obvious conclusion to come to was that God being Holy and the flesh being sinful , the two states of existence could never be one in the human body
b.inistry purpose and correction of false teaching
1 John focuses on themes such as love, truth, and fellowship with God, emphasising the importance of living in accordance with Christ’s teachings.
Historically, the epistle was written during a period when early Christians faced challenges from false teachers and doctrinal confusion.
We know that this false teaching was called Gnosticism, the early centuries was filled with false teaching attacking Christian teaching on the Person Of the Lorn Jesus Christ.
John’s purpose was to reaffirm core beliefs, clarify the nature of Jesus Christ, and encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith and love for one another.
Like the church in John`s day we in the 21st century must stand firm on the evidence of scripture that cause us to know who Jeus really is.
Through the historical writings which were gathered in 397 a.d. at the Council of Carthage by the leadership of the church were received as the cannon of scripture. John writes the truth of Jesus. He is the God in flesh, He is the Messiah, He is the Lord, the saviour, and He will come again.Let the word of God through the Spirit of God guide our witess to others within the Church and beyond the church to the Lordship of Christ and His saving power from sin.