Chronological Bible Study – Dec 27

Key Themes (1 John)

The book of 1 John, traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, is a pastoral letter written to encourage believers to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ and to live out their faith in love and truth. The letter addresses issues of false teachings, the nature of Christian fellowship, and the assurance of salvation. John emphasizes the importance of love, obedience, and the recognition of Jesus as the Son of God. The key themes include:

1. The Assurance of Salvation: A central theme in 1 John is the assurance of salvation for believers. John writes to give his readers confidence that they have eternal life in Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God and live according to His commandments can be assured of their salvation. This theme highlights the certainty and security of the believer’s relationship with God.
2. Love as the Mark of True Believers: John repeatedly emphasizes that love is the defining characteristic of true believers. He teaches that God is love, and those who know God will naturally love others. This theme underscores that genuine faith is evidenced by a life of love—love for God, love for fellow believers, and love for others. John insists that love is not merely an emotion but is demonstrated through actions.
3. Fellowship with God and Others: John discusses the importance of fellowship with God and with other believers. He emphasizes that true fellowship is based on walking in the light, living in truth, and confessing sin. This theme highlights the communal aspect of the Christian faith, where believers are called to live in harmony with God and one another, sharing a common life rooted in Christ.
4. The Reality of Sin and the Need for Confession: John acknowledges the reality of sin in the lives of believers but also stresses the importance of confession and the assurance of forgiveness. He teaches that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This theme emphasizes the ongoing need for repentance and the availability of God’s grace and forgiveness.
5. The Divinity and Humanity of Jesus Christ: John addresses the importance of correctly understanding the identity of Jesus as both fully divine and fully human. He emphasizes that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, countering the false teachings that denied His humanity. This theme highlights the central Christian belief in the incarnation and the necessity of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior.
6. The Importance of Obedience: John stresses that obedience to God’s commandments is a key indicator of genuine faith. He teaches that those who love God will keep His commandments, and that living a life of obedience is evidence of knowing God. This theme underscores the connection between love for God and a commitment to follow His will, demonstrating faith through righteous living.
7. Warning Against False Teachers and Antichrists: John warns believers about the presence of false teachers and antichrists who deny that Jesus is the Christ. He encourages his readers to test the spirits and hold fast to the truth they have received. This theme emphasizes the need for discernment in the face of false teachings and the importance of remaining faithful to the apostolic doctrine.
8. The Contrast Between Light and Darkness: John frequently uses the imagery of light and darkness to describe the moral and spiritual states of individuals. Walking in the light is associated with truth, righteousness, and fellowship with God, while walking in darkness is linked to sin, deception, and separation from God. This theme highlights the moral implications of faith and the call to live in the light of God’s truth.
9. The Witness of the Holy Spirit: John speaks of the Holy Spirit as the witness who testifies to the truth of Jesus Christ. He assures believers that the Spirit dwells within them, guiding them into all truth and enabling them to recognize and reject falsehood. This theme underscores the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life, providing assurance and discernment.
10. Overcoming the World: John encourages believers by reminding them that their faith in Jesus Christ enables them to overcome the world and its temptations. He affirms that those who are born of God have the victory over the world through their faith. This theme highlights the power of faith in Jesus and the ultimate triumph of believers over sin and worldly influences.

1 John is a deeply pastoral letter that emphasizes the essential elements of the Christian faith: love, truth, obedience, and fellowship with God. Through its themes of assurance, the importance of love, the reality of sin, and the need for discernment, John provides guidance for believers to live out their faith with confidence, integrity, and a deep sense of community. The letter calls believers to remain rooted in the truth of the Gospel and to manifest their faith through love and righteous living.

What I Noticed Today (1, 2, 3 John)

1 John 1

In verses 1-4, a prologue of the incarnation of Christ:

• God’s Son was from the beginning.
• He was heard, seen, and touched by the apostles.
• Who gives eternal life.
• We testify to the eternal life that was with the Father has been revealed to us.
• So that you may also have fellowship with us, our fellowship is with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
• The purpose of John writing this letter is so that our joy might be complete.

1 John 1:5-2:12

John discusses the lifestyle of the believer in fellowship with God.

In verses 5-10, John relays a message from Him (Jesus):

• God is light; in Him, there is no darkness.
• We cannot have fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness. One cannot claim fellowship with God while disobeying Him. The person who does this is lying and not practicing the truth.
• But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
• If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
• If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us.
• If we say we have no sin, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

1 John 2

• I write this, so you will not sin.
• But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father in Jesus.
• Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, even the whole world.

• This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him:
  • By keeping His commands.
  • The one who says he knows God but doesn’t keep His commands is a liar.
  • The one who keeps His commands has the love of God perfected in him.
  • The one who says he remains in Him should walk as He (Jesus) walked.
  • The command you should follow is an old command. It is the message you have heard (to love one another). Jesus called the command new, which is true in Him (Jesus) and you.
  • Darkness is passing away, and the true light is shining.

• Anyone who says he is in the light but hates his brother lives in darkness.
• The one who loves his brother lives in the light and does not stumble.
• But the one who hates his brother walks in darkness and doesn’t know where he is going because the darkness has blinded him.

In verses 12-28, John explains the purpose of the letter:

• I am writing to you little children because your sins are forgiven by Jesus, and you have come to know the Father.
• I am writing to you fathers because you have come to know God and the One who is from the beginning.
• I am writing to you young men because you have victory over the evil one (Satan). God’s Word remains in you, and you have victory over the evil one.

• John continues warning them not to love the world and the things of the world. If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you.
  • The world is the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride. These are not of the Father but the world.
  • The lust of the world is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remain forever.
• In the last hour, the Antichrist will come. Even now, many antichrists have come. They went out from us (Christian churches) but did not belong to us, for if they had, they would have remained. They would not have committed heresy if they were true believers.
• But you have the Holy Spirit and knowledge. You have the truth.
• The liar is the one who denies Jesus as Messiah. This one is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.

• No one who denies the Father can have the Son.
• He who confesses the Son has the Father as well.
• If what you heard, in the beginning, remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and the Father.
• This is the promise of eternal life that He (Jesus) made us.
• The anointing (Holy Spirit) you received from Him (Jesus) remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you (because you have the Holy Spirit to teach you).
• Just as He taught you, remain in Him.
• Remain in Him so that when He appears, we may have boldness and not be ashamed at His coming.

1 John 3

In verses 2:29-3:24, John discusses the righteousness, love, and confidence that are marks of those in Christian fellowship.

• Everyone who does right has been born of Him.
• The Father loves us and calls us His children.
• The reason the world doesn’t understand us is they don’t know Him.
• What we will be as God’s children has not yet been revealed. Believers will be transformed because we will see God as He is.
• Everyone who has this hope purifies themselves just as He is pure.
• Everyone who sins breaks the law.
• He (Jesus) was revealed so that He might take away sin because there is no sin in Him.
• Everyone who remains in Him does not sin; everyone who sins has not seen Him or known Him.

• Let no one deceive you!

• He who does what is righteous is righteous, just as Jesus is righteous.
• The one who sins is of the Devil, for the Devil sinned from the beginning.
• The Son of God was revealed to destroy the Devil’s works.
• Everyone born of God does not sin because His seed (His nature) is in him.
• This is how God’s children and the Devil’s children are made known.

In verses 10b-15, John discusses the command for Christians to love one another:

• Whoever does not do right is not of God.
• Especially the one who does not love his brother.
• This is the message you have heard from the beginning.
• Unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother.
• Cain murdered his brother because his works were evil, and his brother’s works were righteous.
• Do not be surprised if the world hates you
• We know we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers.
• The one who does not love remains in death (unsaved).
• Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know no murderer has eternal life residing (or abiding) in him.

In verses 16-24, John describes true Christian love:

• We know true love through the example of Jesus, who laid down His life for us.
• In the same way, we should love our brothers and lay down our lives for them.
• If anyone has worldly goods and closes his eyes to a brother’s need, can God’s love reside in him?
• We must not love in word or speech but action.
• This is how we know we belong to God.
• Even if your heart condemns you (deceives you), God knows our conscience.
• If our conscience doesn’t condemn us, we can have confidence before God.
• We can ask whatever we want of God in prayer and receive that which is of God’s will (5:14-15).
• This is the command; believe in Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
• The one who keeps His commands remains in Him and He in us through the Holy Spirit.

Some thoughts for further consideration:

• Our salvation comes through the confession of Christ as the Son of God through faith. However, becoming a believer does not bring us lives free from sin. We still struggle with sin and the old nature.
• Our life in Christ begins with faith, and God’s command to love fellow believers as Christ loved us. Our life in Christ begins with faith and ends with love.
• Our love for God should be evidenced by the way we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ.

1 John 4

In verses 1-6, John continues what he started in 1 John 3:24 discussing the Spirit:

• Do not believe every spirit (false prophet) but test them to see if they are from God because there are many false prophets in the world.
• This is how you know the Spirit of God: 1) they confess Jesus Christ, 2) He came in the flesh, and 3) was sent by God.
• Every spirit who does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist who is in the world now (Satan).
• The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
• They (the antichrists) are from the world, what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them.
• We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to Him.
• From this, we know the Spirit of truth.

In verses 7-21, John discusses how Christians should reflect the character of God.

• Love one another. Love is from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
• The one who does not love does not know God because God is love.

• The proof of God’s love is He sent His One and Only Son into the world that we might have eternal life through Him.
• God loved us and sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins.

• If we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.

• Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God.
• God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God and God in him.
• Love is perfected in us, so we have confidence in the day of judgment.
• There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out all fear because fear involves punishment.
• The one who fears has not reached perfection in love.

• We love because He first loved us.
• Anyone who says he loves God yet hates his brother is a liar. The one who loves God must also love his brother.

1 John 5

In verses 1-5, John continues the command from 1 John 4:21 to love our brothers:

• Everyone who believes Jesus is Messiah has been born of God. Everyone who loves the Father also loves the Son.
• We show we love God’s children by obeying His commands.
• God’s commands are not a burden.
• Whatever has been born of God conquers the world.
• The one who conquers the world is the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

In verses 6-13, John proves God’s love through the testimony of His Son, Jesus:

• Jesus Christ came by water and blood.

• The Holy Spirit testifies because the Spirit is truth.
• The water, blood, and Spirit testify and are in agreement.

• The one who does not believe God has made Him a liar because he did not believe God’s testimony about His Son.
• The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son does not have life.
• I have written this, so you will know you have eternal life.

In verses 14-17, John speaks to the importance of prayer:

• We are confident that anything we ask in the will of God He hears us. And if He hears us, we know we will receive what we have asked for.

• If anyone sees a brother committing a sin that does not bring (spiritual) death, he should ask, and God will bring him life.
• You do not have to pray about sin that brings death (eternal separation from God).

In verses 18-21, John summarizes and concludes the letter:

• Everyone born of God does not continually sin.

• The evil one (Satan) does not touch the believer who is born of God.

• We know that we are of God, and the world is under the influence of the evil one (Satan).
• We know that the Son of God has come and given us understanding, so we know God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
• Avoid idols.

Some additional thoughts for consideration:

• As a child of God, we should reflect God’s love to our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we do that, we are a witness to others in a way that allows people to experience God’s love through us.
• God will keep us safe from the evil one. But we must abide in Him, and He is us!

2 John 1

Key Themes (2 John)

The book of 2 John is a brief letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle John. Addressed to "the elect lady and her children," which likely refers to a local church and its members, the letter emphasizes the importance of adhering to the truth of the Gospel and practicing love within the Christian community. John also warns against false teachers who do not acknowledge the true identity of Jesus Christ. The key themes include:

1. The Importance of Truth: A central theme in 2 John is the importance of walking in the truth. John emphasizes that the truth of the Gospel, centered on the identity and teachings of Jesus Christ, is foundational for the Christian faith. He encourages believers to continue living according to the truth they have received and to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ. This theme underscores the vital role of truth in maintaining a strong and authentic Christian community.
2. Love and Obedience: John reiterates the command to love one another, which he describes as not a new commandment, but one that believers have had from the beginning. He connects love with obedience to God’s commandments, highlighting that true Christian love is demonstrated through living in accordance with God’s will. This theme emphasizes that love is inseparable from obedience to the teachings of Christ and is the mark of genuine discipleship.
3. Warning Against False Teachers: John warns the recipients of the letter to be vigilant against false teachers who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. He cautions believers not to welcome or support anyone who brings a different teaching, as doing so would be to participate in their evil work. This theme highlights the need for discernment in identifying and rejecting false teachings that distort the truth of the Gospel.
4. The Danger of Losing Reward: John reminds believers of the need to hold fast to the teachings of Christ so that they may receive a full reward. He warns that straying from the truth can result in the loss of the reward promised to those who remain faithful. This theme emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the faith and the consequences of deviating from the core teachings of Christianity.
5. Christian Hospitality with Caution: While hospitality is an important Christian virtue, John advises caution in extending hospitality to those who promote false teachings. He instructs believers not to welcome or provide support to those who do not bring the true doctrine of Christ, as doing so would imply endorsement of their errors. This theme highlights the balance between the practice of love and the need to protect the integrity of the faith.

2 John is a concise letter that reinforces the core Christian principles of truth, love, and obedience. Through its themes of adherence to the truth, the connection between love and obedience, and the need for discernment in dealing with false teachers, the letter encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to guard against anything that would compromise the truth of the Gospel. It serves as a reminder of the importance of living out the Christian faith with both love and discernment.

In verses 1-3, John introduces himself only as “The Elder.” The letter is addressed to the “elect Lady and her children.”

• The truth that remains in us will be with us forever is a reference to the Gospel.
• Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God, the Father and Jesus, Son of the Father.

In verses 4-11, John exhorts the congregation to be obedient to God and resist false teachers.

• I am glad to find some [not all] of your children walking in the truth.
• I urge you now to love one another.
• And this is love; that we walk according to God’s commands.
• Many deceivers do not confess the coming of Christ in the flesh. They are deceivers and antichrists.

• Guard yourself, so you don’t lose what we have worked for and receive your full reward.

• Anyone who goes beyond Christ’s teaching does not have God.
• The one who remains in Christ’s teaching has both the Son and the Father.
• Reject anyone who does not bring this teaching. Do not share in their evil works.

In verses 12-13, John closes with a farewell greeting. He acknowledges that he has much more to tell them but hopes to see them in person and talk face to face.

• The children of your elect sister sends you greetings.

3 John 1

Key Themes (3 John)

The book of 3 John is the shortest book in the New Testament and is a personal letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle John. It is addressed to a Christian named Gaius and focuses on issues related to hospitality, leadership, and support for those who spread the Gospel. The letter contrasts the behavior of two individuals—Gaius, who is commended, and Diotrephes, who is rebuked. The key themes include:

1. Hospitality and Support for Missionaries: A central theme in 3 John is the importance of showing hospitality and support to itinerant Christian workers, such as missionaries and evangelists. John commends Gaius for his faithful support and hospitality to these traveling preachers, even though they were strangers to him. This theme emphasizes the vital role of hospitality and generosity in advancing the mission of the Church and the importance of aiding those who labor in spreading the Gospel.
2. Imitating Good and Rejecting Evil: John encourages Gaius to continue doing good by supporting godly workers and warns against imitating the behavior of those who do evil. He contrasts Gaius’ positive example with the negative behavior of Diotrephes, who rejected John’s authority and mistreated other believers. This theme underscores the importance of following righteous examples within the Christian community and rejecting those who act in ways contrary to the teachings of Christ.
3. Authority and Leadership in the Church: The letter addresses issues of leadership within the church, specifically highlighting the actions of Diotrephes, who is criticized for his pride, rejection of apostolic authority, and divisive behavior. John plans to address Diotrephes’ actions when he visits. This theme emphasizes the need for humility, accountability, and proper conduct among church leaders, as well as the importance of respecting apostolic authority.
4. The Role of Truth in Christian Life: John expresses his joy that Gaius is "walking in the truth," indicating that Gaius is living according to the teachings of the Gospel. The theme of truth is central to John’s letters, and in 3 John, it highlights the importance of living a life consistent with the truth of Christ’s teachings. This theme underscores the connection between truth and the integrity of one’s actions, particularly in the context of hospitality and leadership.
5. Personal Relationships and Encouragement: 3 John reflects the close personal relationships within the early Christian community, as John expresses his affection for Gaius and his desire to see him face to face. The letter also serves as an encouragement to Gaius to continue his good work and to stand firm in the face of opposition. This theme highlights the value of personal encouragement and support within the Christian community, especially among leaders and those who are actively involved in ministry.

3 John is a personal and practical letter that addresses important issues related to hospitality, leadership, and the practice of truth within the Christian community. Through its themes of supporting missionaries, imitating good, exercising proper leadership, and maintaining personal relationships, the letter provides guidance on how to live out the Christian faith in a way that honors God and advances the mission of the Church. It calls for believers to be generous, truthful, and discerning in their interactions with others.

In verses 1-4, John introduces himself as “The Elder,” and addresses the letter to his dear friend Gaius.

• John offers prayers for Gaius’ health and prosperity and is joyful to hear that Gaius is walking in the truth.
• John refers to Gaius as one of his children, indicating John may have converted Gaius.

In verses 5-8, John commends Gaius for his faithfulness:

• You are showing faithfulness by what you are doing for the brothers, especially when they are strangers.
• They have testified of your love in the church.
• You will do well to send them on a journey worthy of God (physical and monetary provisions).
• They take nothing from the pagans.
• Therefore, we ought to support men such as this who are co-workers in the truth (spreading the Gospel).

In verses 9-11, John condemns Diotrephes and commends Demetrius:

• John indicates he has written to the church previously, but Diotrephes, who puts himself first, does not receive the word from John.
• When I come, I will remind him of the slandering and malicious words.
• He refuses to welcome the brothers and, worse, prevents those who want to welcome them and expels them from the church.
• Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.
• The one who does good is of God. The one who does evil has not seen God.
• Demetrius has a good testimony from everyone, including myself, and you know my testimony is true.

In verses 13-14, John closes with a farewell greeting. He acknowledges that he has much more to tell him (Gaius) but hopes to see him in person and talk face-to-face.

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Tomorrow: Revelation 1-5