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"Book of 1 John"
Part-one
The Word of Life
Part-one
The Word of Life
Text: 1John1:1-4
1) What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
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Intro: I love the Book of 1st John, if good things come in small packages, 1st John would be filled with diamonds even a field of diamonds. This wonderful book was one of the first books I read as a newborn Christian and brings to mind the warm fellowship that all Christians enjoy. The general purpose of this
study is to grow spiritually by identifying gems of truth and applying each lesson to our daily christian
life. In particular the intent of this study is to increase our spiritual discernment; concerning false
teachers, 1John4:1, to recognize the spirit of the antichrist, 1John4:3, and to discern between
"the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." 1John4:6.
study is to grow spiritually by identifying gems of truth and applying each lesson to our daily christian
life. In particular the intent of this study is to increase our spiritual discernment; concerning false
teachers, 1John4:1, to recognize the spirit of the antichrist, 1John4:3, and to discern between
"the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." 1John4:6.
About the author: He was an Apostle of Jesus Christ and one of the chosen twelve, the son of Zebedee and Salome. Jesus gives John and his brother James the nickname of, Sons of Thunder, Mark 3:17. He is commonly referred to as the disciple Jesus loved and whom Jesus gave instructions to care for His Mother. John19:26. He was an Evangelist, and Teacher. I believe the author of 1st John, 2nd John, 3rd John, including the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelations were written by the Apostle John.
Quote: The following is an excerpt from Henry Alford's, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary; "Whether then we approach the question of the authorship of this epistle, (and its consequent canonicity), from the side of external testimony, or of internal evidence, we are alike convinced that its claim to have
been written by the Evangelist St. John, and to its place in the canon of scripture, is fully substantiated."
Theme and setting: Back to basics or the fundamentals of The Faith would be appropriate to say of John's writting. He explains in absolute terms what a true christian believes about the nature of God, 1Jn1:5, about sin, 1Jn1:8, about obedeance, about love 1Jn4:8. John the Apostle of Love was one of the first disciples called by Jesus and now in his senior years he is the last surviving apostle. He writes to you and I whom he refers to as, "My little children." 1Jn2:1
He was well know among the seven Churches of Asia Minor which he writes about in the Book of Revelations. He begins his letter with factual events; What was from the beginning what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands." John was an eyewitness of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and so his testimony is trustworthy, accurate and true. The first sentence of his Epistle, "What was from the beginning", is similar to the opening sentence of the Gospel of John, "In the beginning was the Word," John1:1.
Time line:This type of book is called An Epistle; which are authoritative letters, written by apostles, and sent out to individual people or congregations. They are divided into two groups; Pauline epistles & general epistles of which is 1st John. This letter was likely written during Apostle John's senior years, late first century.
Quote: The English word "epistle" originated from a Latin word, epistola, that itself originated from a Greek word, pronounced epistole, that meant to send on. While the English word "pistol" originated from the same Latin version of the word, epistola, as "epistle," epistles were a means of delivering communication, not of delivering bullets." From: Daily Bible Study.
Quote: The following is an excerpt from Henry Alford's, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary; "Whether then we approach the question of the authorship of this epistle, (and its consequent canonicity), from the side of external testimony, or of internal evidence, we are alike convinced that its claim to have
been written by the Evangelist St. John, and to its place in the canon of scripture, is fully substantiated."
He was well know among the seven Churches of Asia Minor which he writes about in the Book of Revelations. He begins his letter with factual events; What was from the beginning what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands." John was an eyewitness of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and so his testimony is trustworthy, accurate and true. The first sentence of his Epistle, "What was from the beginning", is similar to the opening sentence of the Gospel of John, "In the beginning was the Word," John1:1.
Time line:This type of book is called An Epistle; which are authoritative letters, written by apostles, and sent out to individual people or congregations. They are divided into two groups; Pauline epistles & general epistles of which is 1st John. This letter was likely written during Apostle John's senior years, late first century.
Quote: The English word "epistle" originated from a Latin word, epistola, that itself originated from a Greek word, pronounced epistole, that meant to send on. While the English word "pistol" originated from the same Latin version of the word, epistola, as "epistle," epistles were a means of delivering communication, not of delivering bullets." From: Daily Bible Study.
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1) What was from the beginning: The incarnate, "Word of Life", Jesus Christ, who was with the Father in the beginning. John1:1. Reliable scholars say this verse can refer to Messiah who was present at the beginning of creation in Gen1:1, or the birth of Messiah, either interpretation would be correct.
what we have heard, Referring to himself using first person, plural pronouns; Some Biblical scholars teach that the plural pronouns used, ie; we, us and our, refer to those apostolic eyewitnesses of the earthly life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and also inclusive eyewitness groups of people, ie; all of Jesus disciples.
What did they hear? They heard the voice of the Master Teacher. They heard His voice as He sat down and began to teach them saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit; they heard Him when He broke bread with them in the upper room at the last supper saying, "This is My body do this in remembrance of Me. 1Corinthians11:24.
what we have seen with our eyes: The Apostle John was a follower of John the Baptist and witnessed the baptism of Jesus. He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting upon Jesus. Matthew3:16. John was present at the transfiguration of Jesus, Matthew17:1-7. He followed Jesus from the time of His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane all the way to Calvary and the cross.
What did they see? They saw God tabernacle among human beings. They saw Jesus Messiah who would save His people from their sin - The Lamb of God. John1:29. They were witnesses to all of the miracles, signs and wonders that were performed by Jesus. They saw Jesus have compassion on the multitudes and healing the sick and brokenhearted. Matt.11:3-5. They watched as Jesus demonstrated humility by washing their feet. And even today every christian can say; "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him." 1Peter1:8.
what we have looked at: "Look unto me and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and
there is none else." Isaiah45:22. Many people have ' looked ' at Jesus but then they walk away.
John wants us to look to Jesus and be saved, so that we too will have fellowship with the Father
and with His Son Jesus Christ.
and touched with our hands: "Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." Luke24:39. I am reminded by this verse that we serve a risen Savior.
concerning the Word of Life: "And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." Luke 24:2,3
Any first century christian hearing these inspired words of the Apostle John would be
as blessed as you and I are today and given a joyful amen!
Happy Resurrection Day
2014
He is Risen!
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Definition of terms:
What - Gk; ὅ, transliteration, ho; is a relative pronoun; who, which, what, that. The word is used in Matt1:16 "of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah." Occurs 1,411 times.
beginning -Gk; ἀρχή , transliteration, archo; (verb). to rule, to begin, used absolutely, of the beginning of all things. Used in Matt19:4; "that He who having created them from the beginning." (Strong's Concordance).
Note: The historical information provided in the introduction of this study is based on the Bible, and reliable internet resources. As this study progresses, God willing, the source of reliable information will be attributed
as is proper. I am just a garden variety Christian who loves my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. My desire is to accurately communicate God's word; attempting to balance the Macro and Micro interpretation of scripture. Application of God's Word comes by His mercy and grace in my life, which is infinitely greater than all my sin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------as is proper. I am just a garden variety Christian who loves my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. My desire is to accurately communicate God's word; attempting to balance the Macro and Micro interpretation of scripture. Application of God's Word comes by His mercy and grace in my life, which is infinitely greater than all my sin.
Attributions and Resources:
1) www.academia.edu/Discourse_Analysis_and_1_John_An_Introduction
2) www.gty.org/resources/bible-introductions/1-john
1) www.academia.edu/Discourse_Analysis_and_1_John_An_Introduction
2) www.gty.org/resources/bible-introductions/1-john
4) Ipad digital art by dajorus: Flickr Commons/free to share
5) Cookie/Tea/Clipart - Courtesy of: Max.Wilson.org.Clipart
6) Henry Alford's Commentary: Courtesy of - Studylight.org/commentaries
7) http://meinlilapark.blogspot.com/2013/07/free-nautical-wave-scrapbooking-paper.html
5) Cookie/Tea/Clipart - Courtesy of: Max.Wilson.org.Clipart
6) Henry Alford's Commentary: Courtesy of - Studylight.org/commentaries
7) http://meinlilapark.blogspot.com/2013/07/free-nautical-wave-scrapbooking-paper.html
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Greetings from Thailand - The Land of Smiles
All of your questions and comments are appreciated.
If you wish stop by and say hello I will be very grateful....
Blessings to you in Christ - glenn
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