Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.
1st JOHN - NEW TESTAMENT - EPISTLE
23rd book of the NT
62nd book of the Bible
It starts with the eternal one - Jesus Christ
in 1 John ch.1 v 1-3
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
and quickly takes us to the assurance of Salvation in Jesus by verse 9 of that first chapter
What is it?
The Book of 1 JOHN is one of the EPISTLES in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.
How Long is it?
It has 5 chapters.
When was it Written?
It was written between 90 & 95 AD
Who Wrote it?
John the beloved disciple of Jesus
The name of the letter tells us the writer.
Other letters in the bible are named to show who the recipients of the letters were specifically intended to be but these were letters written by John son of Zebedee and brother of James.
one of the three disciples who Jesus often took with him apart from the others.
Teach Sunday School tells us the following
"John wanted people to know that Love is most important. Love comes from God. He also wanted people to know that it is important not to listen to false teachers."
Who was it Written to?
It was a general letter written to all believers not just those from one nation or city
What is it normally well-known for?
Many of the verses about love are widely quoted and memorized such as
verse 15 of chapter 2
verse 1 of chapter 3
verse 18 of chapter 3
Why was it Written?
It was written to encourage and remind the believers of what they have in Jesus and to recognise false teachers.
The Overview Bible tells us the following
"John writes a letter to Christians about keeping Jesus’ commands, loving one another, and important things they should know.
- So that he and the church may have joy (1 Jn 1:4)
- So that they would not sin (1 Jn 2:1)
- Because their sins are forgiven (1 Jn 2:12)
- Because they know God the Father (1 Jn 2:13)
- Because they know Jesus (1 Jn 2:13)
- Because they have overcome the evil one (1 Jn 2:13–14)
- Because they are strong (1 Jn 2:14)
- Because the word of God abides in them (1 Jn 2:14)
- Because they know the truth (1 Jn 2:14)
- Because no lie or false teaching can come from the truth (1 Jn 2:21)
- Because some would try to deceive them (1 Jn 2:26)
- So that they would know they have eternal life (1 Jn 5:13)"
Teach Sunday School tells us the following
"1 John was written to combat false teachings called "Gnosticism". Gnostics taught that Jesus was a spirit and never really had a body and other errors."
Which other Epistle teaches about Gnosticism?
Colossians
Which other books of the Bible is this linked to?
John wrote three epistles of which this is the first and is followed by 2nd John and 3rd John
How does it end?
chapter 5 v 14
Quick outline of 1 John
Disclaimer: this may be the toughest book of the Bible to outline. With all John’s reasons to write, scholars have a hard time forming an outline from John’s letter. But the central focus of First John seems to be distinguishing the false teachers from children of God, so here’s my take:
- The children of God keep His commands (1 Jn 1–3)
- The Spirit of God affirms Jesus’ first coming (1 Jn 4:1–6)
- The children of God love one another (1 Jn 4:7–21)
- Things the child of God can know (1 Jn 5)
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