By Pastor Farmer

Topic #1 Introduction 

• THE PASTOR

The writer of this epistle is the Apostle John, the one who called himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved."  Unlike the Apostle Paul, who introduces himself in the opening verses of his letters, John never mentions himself directly.  However, Dr. Zane Hodges 1 wrote:

Early Christian writers including Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian cited the epistle as John’s. There is thus no good reason for denying the traditional belief that the letter is of apostolic authorship. 

Irenaeus (120-202 A.D.), the distinguished pastor and defender of the faith from Lyons, France, was a third-generation Christian.  He validates the Apostle's ministry in Asia. In fact, Irenaeus was from Asia.  He was a pupil of Polycarp (70-156 A.D.), the longtime pastor of the Church of Smyrna.  The intersecting lives of the Apostle John, who appointed Polycarp to ministry, who in turn taught Irenaeus, provides solid evidence for the fact that 1 John was written by none other than the Apostle John.  Irenaeus testifies:

Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia.2

We don't have exact dates of all of the apostle's movements, but sometime before the Fall of Jerusalem, which took place in 70 A.D., he came to Ephesus, the capital of the Roman province of Asia.  It is believed he was ten years younger than the Lord Jesus, and if so, he would have arrived in Ephesus in his sixties.  His ministry in Ephesus and the province of Asia covered almost forty years. He wrote his gospel around 89 A.D. while he was at Ephesus.  From this date, we know he is the last surviving disciple, all others having been martyred.  Twenty years have passed since Paul and Peter joined the Lord in Heaven.  Sixty years have passed since the Lord's Ascension into Heaven (Acts 1).  

John's writing ministry began at Ephesus with his gospel, followed by the three epistles and then the grand climax of the Scripture, the Book of Revelation, which he called "The Revelation of Jesus Christ."  Eusebius (260 to 340 A.D.) deemed the “father of church history”  3 dates John's exile to the Island of Patmos in 96 A.D.   It is on the Island that he received a visit from the Lord Jesus who reveals to him "the things that were, and are, and will come to pass."   Emperor Domitian died that same year, and John was released.  He returned to Ephesus with the Book of Revelation.  He was instructed to deliver its message to the seven churches of Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, Revelation 1:4, 11.

John's style is personal and pastoral.  He calls his congregation his "beloved" [1 John 2:7; 3:2, 21; 4:1, 7, 11].  This term of endearment and familiarity shows how special and precious they were to him. At other times he calls them "my little children” or just “children.”  He knows his audience, and, as any good pastor, he wants to protect them from doctrinal errors and distortions of the day.  For this reason, he deals with Gnosticism directly and firmly.  

He also has a unique perspective!  He is an eyewitness to the incarnation.  He was there from the start, not as a bystander but as an intimate companion and participant in the three and half years of ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He has a unique mission.  It is to declare the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ.  This was given to twelve men, the twelfth being the Apostle Paul, who replaced Judas Iscariot. He has a unique authority.  The apostles had authority over all the churches.

• THE PASTORATE

John has three congregations in mind as he writes this epistle.  The first is John's resident congregation at Ephesus, who received his face-to-face teaching and daily ministry in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

The second congregation was to all the churches of Asia Minor.  These were his non-resident congregations, serving them not as a pastor, but as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. These churches received an occasional visit, but his ministry was through the various pastors of these churches.  Eusebius says that he traveled throughout Asia teaching and preaching Christ and was involved in the appointment of men for the ministry and the organizing of local churches. 4  

The third congregation is related to his writings, which required the unique ministry of revelation and inspiration. 5  We are his congregation as we study the epistle which is meant to encourage us, warn us of spiritual dangers, and direct us how to live Christ-like lives.  Five of John's writings have been placed into the Canon of Scripture and now form the basis of teaching Bible doctrine to the universal church.  From approximately 80 A.D. until today, they have been a blessing.

It is important to remember, and I can't stress this enough, John is writing to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Again, the target audience for this Epistle is toward those who claimed to be Christians.   This interpretive principle will help us in some difficult passages in future studies.  John calls them his beloved, and this establishes at a minimum that John is addressing those he considered true believers.  It will be argued that some in the congregation were not true believers.  They had head knowledge and not heart knowledge.  They professed to know Christ but did not possess Christ.  This is not hard to believe.  In every congregation, you have those who are saved and those who are not, but John is addressing ones who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

• THE PROBLEMS

In the closing years of the first century, numerous false teachers and their doctrines of demons circulated in the churches.  One of the great heresies of the period came from an attempt to synthesize Greek philosophic speculation with the orthodox doctrine that was handed down by the apostles.  As one pastor called it "an abyss of madness."  6

Dr. Schaff states that Docetic Gnosticism was the first heresy that the Church faced:

 Docetism was a characteristic feature of the first antichristian errorists whom St. John had in view (1 John 4:2; 2 John 7) 7 

Even the Latin Father Jerome (A.D. 345 - 419) was aware of this for he wrote:

When the blood of Christ was but lately shed and the apostles were still in Judæa, the Lord’s body was asserted to be a phantom;8 

It is due to these historical circumstances that John wrote to prove the Gnostics wrong.  This epistle is a polemic against Docetic Gnosticism, which is a rejection of the true humanity of our Lord.  The first major assault on the Person of Christ was the two-person theory of Docetic Gnosticism.

Gnosticism In General

Their Elitism:

The Gnostics that claimed to be Christians said that Jesus had two doctrines: one doctrine for the common man which was preached to everyone.  Then more advanced teaching which was kept a secret from the multitudes.  It was fit only for the chosen few.  The Gnostics were the spiritually elitist, and although the doctrines taught in the churches were not exactly wrong, and were as close to the truth as the common man could hope to come, it was to the Gnostics that one must turn to for advanced knowledge.  They were a secret society. Why were they secretive?  Because the common man would misunderstand their wisdom, and so must be reserved for the tiny handful of humanity in every generation who are spiritually advanced enough to appreciate it.  

Docetic Gnosticism

One such false teacher who was living in Ephesus and a contemporary of the Apostle John was Cerinthus.   In his Christology, he separates the earthly man Jesus, who was a son of Joseph and Mary, from the heavenly Christ.  Christ descended upon the man Jesus, in the form of a dove at His baptism in the Jordan, imparting to him the genuine knowledge of God and the power of miracles, but forsook him in the passion.  Christ will rejoin him only at the coming of the Messianic kingdom of glory.  

Irenaeus fought against this heresy within the church.  He wrote:

Cerinthus, again, a man who was educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians, taught that the world was not made by the primary God, but by a certain Power far separated from him, and at a distance from that Principality who is supreme over the universe, and ignorant of him who is above all. He represented Jesus as having not been born of a virgin, but as being the son of Joseph and Mary according to the ordinary course of human generation [denial of the virgin birth], while he nevertheless was more righteous, prudent, and wise than other men. Moreover, after his baptism, Christ descended upon him in the form of a dove from the Supreme Ruler, and that then he proclaimed the unknown Father and performed miracles. But at last Christ departed from Jesus, and that then Jesus suffered and rose again, while Christ remained impassible, inasmuch as he was a spiritual being. 9 

The Phantom Doctrine

They believed that Jesus did not have a real body.  He was a Phantom.

The Five Points of Docetism:

1. It denies the incarnation, the virgin birth, the true humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ,  the hypostatic union of the two natures of Christ, the doctrine of impeccability, and the sustaining ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christ. 

2. It distinguishes between the human Jesus and the Heavenly Christ.

3. The Heavenly Christ only appeared to take on human form.  The incarnation was not a reality.  It just seemed to be real.

4. They thought they were avoiding the concept that Christ shared in such an inherently evil thing as having a body.

5. They followed one of the central tenets of Gnosticism: all matter is evil, and therefore they denied that the Heavenly Christ had any contact with flesh.

See the articles "Fighting Against Gnosticism" for a fuller treatment of this subject:

Part 1 Fighting Against Gnosticism - Who Do Ye Think Christ Is? [Topic #2]

Part 2 Fighting Against Gnosticism - Fundamental Errors. [Topic #3]

Part 3 Fighting Against Gnosticism - Apostates and Apologists. [Topic #4]

• THE APOLOGISTS

Dr. Schaff states that three of the Church Father's spoke out against this:

For this reason even Ignatius, Irenæus, and Tertullian, in their opposition to docetism, insist most earnestly on the reality of the humanity and death of Jesus, as the source of our reconciliation with God. 10

Ignatius: 30 -107 A.D.

But if, as some that are without God, that is, the unbelieving, say, that He only seemed to suffer (they themselves only seeming to exist), then why am I in bonds? Why do I long to be exposed to the wild beasts? Do I therefore die in vain? Am I not then guilty of falsehood against [the cross of] the Lord? 11

This quote is rather lengthy, but it provides an excellent background for the false teaching that John faced:

These men, therefore, are not less unbelievers than were those that crucified Him. But as for me, I do not place my hopes in one who died for me in appearance, but in reality. For that which is false is quite abhorrent to the truth. 

Mary then did truly conceive a body which had God inhabiting it. And God the Word was truly born of the Virgin, having clothed Himself with a body of like passions with our own. He who forms all men in the womb, was Himself really in the womb, and made for Himself a body of the seed of the Virgin, but without any intercourse of man. He was carried in the womb, even as we are, for the usual period of time; and was really born, as we also are; and was in reality nourished with milk, and partook of common meat and drink, even as we do. And when He had lived among men for thirty years, He was baptized by John, really and not in appearance; and when He had preached the Gospel three years, and done signs and wonders, He who was Himself the Judge was judged by the Jews, falsely so called, and by Pilate the governor; was scourged, was smitten on the cheek, was spit upon; He wore a crown of thorns and a purple robe; He was condemned: He was crucified in reality, and not in appearance, not in imagination, not in deceit. He really died, and was buried, and rose from the dead, even as He prayed in a certain place, saying, “But do Thou, O Lord, raise me up again, and I shall recompense them.12 

Irenaeus: 120-170 A.D.

Regarding the Gnostic Christian Saturninus:   

 He has also laid it down as a truth, that the Saviour was without birth, without body, and without figure, Irenaeus of Lyons. (1885).13

Regarding the Gnostic Christian Basiliti:

At the cross, Basiliti taught, "Wherefore he did not himself suffer death, but Simon, a certain man of Cyrene, being compelled, bore the cross in his stead; so that this latter being transfigured by him, that he might be thought to be Jesus, was crucified, through ignorance and error, while Jesus himself received the form of Simon, and, standing by, laughed at them." 14 

There is a story told by Irenaeus about John going into a public bath and finding Cerinthus inside.  It is said that "perceiving Cerinthus within, rushed out of the bath-house without bathing, exclaiming, 'Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within.”  15

Tertullian: 160 - 225 A.D.

He disputed the doctrines of Marcion, who lived in Rome around 140 A.D. and for a brief time, had a significant following.  He rejected the Old Testament and a lot of the New Testament. Interestingly, he rejected all of the writings of John.

On this false principle it was that Marcion actually chose to believe that He was a phantom, denying to Him the reality of a perfect body. Now, not even to His apostles was His nature ever a matter of deception. He was truly both seen and heard upon the mount; true and real was the draught of that wine at the marriage of (Cana in) Galilee;9 true and real also was the touch of the then believing Thomas. Read the testimony of John: “That which we have seen, which we have heard, which we have looked upon with our eyes, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.” False, of course, and deceptive must have been that testimony, if the witness of our eyes, and ears, and hands be by nature a lie.16

There is a robust apologetic statement in 1 John 17, and many of the Church Fathers followed his lead and argued vehemently against Docetic Gnosticism, even quoting from 1 John.  For instance:

For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist;” and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan.18

This naturally transitions into our fourth introductory topic, which has to do with this epistle's purposes.

• THE PURPOSE

There are three stated purposes:

First, to present a defense for the doctrine of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 2:26 

These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.

John makes significant contributions to the Doctrine of Satanology.  He warns us to be aware of the invisible power that is at work and that the source of the current spread of false teaching is proof of its existence.  John wants to expose the Church to the Cosmic system.  This is a survey. Further detail will be developed in the various passages of this Epistle.

THE COSMIC SYSTEM EXPOSED IN 1 JOHN

Definition

    The Cosmic system is Satan's world-wide policy, which includes his purposes, strategies, and organization, all designed to subvert the human race and control the world he now rules. There are seven passages in the New Testament that describe his rule over this world.  

1. He is called the ruler of this world by our Lord:  Jesus believed this! He said:

John 12:31
Now Judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world [Cosmic system] will be cast out.

John 14:30 

 “l will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world [Cosmic system] is coming, and he has nothing in Me;

John 16:11

 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world [Cosmic system] has been judged. 

2. He is called the god of this world

2 Corinthians 4:4

 in whose case the god of this world [Cosmic system] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Satan controls this world by BLINDING them, not with physical blindness, but with spiritual blindness. He doesn't attack their body, but their thinking. His purpose is to hinder them from seeing the light of the gospel. Satan’s strategy is to keep the unsaved, unsaved. Of course, we want to know how he does this!  Well, quite easily. He is a genius. He creates a counterfeit gospel.  It is a gospel of works. lt is a gospel that says, “you, in your own strength and good character, are made acceptable to God.”

Illustration

Now, here is one of the devil's lies. The Mormon church practices a water baptism that says, if you are not sure if a family member is saved, you can be baptized in their name, and they will be saved."  Did you ever wonder why the Mormon Church is considered the number one expert in genealogical research?  lt is because of this belief. 

Where do they get this doctrine?

1 Corinthians 15:29 

Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? 

Baptism for the dead — 1 Corinthians 15:29

Jesus Himself, though without sin, was baptized to fulfill all righteousness and to show the way for all mankind (see Matthew 3:13-17; 2 Nephi 3:5 -12). Thus, baptism is essential for salvation in the kingdom of God [wrong]. We learn in the New Testament that baptisms for the dead were done during the Apostle Paul’s time (see 1 Corinthians 15:29). This practice has been restored with the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. The Prophet Joseph Smith first taught about the ordinance of baptism for the dead during a funeral sermon in August 1840. He read much of 1 Corinthians 15, including verse 29, and announced that the Lord would permit Church members to be baptized in behalf of their friends and relatives who had departed this life. He told them “the plan of salvation was calculated to save all who were willing to obey the requirements of the law of God” (Journal History of the Church, 5 Aug. 1840).

A Mormon Testimony: 

"lt is because we love our forbearers and having passed on without the gospel and having the opportunity to be baptized, we would love to afford them the opportunity of receiving baptism because it is a prerequisite to entering the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-5)."

This is salvation by proxy.

Diane said:

"Through my research into my family history and becoming more familiar with some of my ancestor's stories, l became more interested in having their temple work done. l was involved in the work for one of my grandmothers when l felt as if she were there with me. She and her father had gathered names and left a record that l had been using in my research. l felt that her obvious presence there that day was her way of thanking me for doing her work and a testimony of its importance." 

Another Mormon testified:

"We learn from our study of the New Testament that Baptism by immersion and proper authority is an essential prerequisite to entering God's kingdom. How merciless God would be if he didn't provide a way for those who never had the chance to be baptized to return to him. For this reason members of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day saints perform baptisms in behalf of those who have passed on without that opportunity. This does not guarantee eternal life, but will give those individuals an opportunity to accept or reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is nothing morbid about this doctrine, in fact it is a wonderful chance to connect  ourselves with our ancestors and give them the opportunity of having the joy we experience from living the Gospel."

This is the gospel of a second chance.  Imagine if you have an ancestor who died and he is sitting there waiting for Judgment.  Now a door opens and an offer to get out of jail, to leave behind the chains, to cast off the shackles.  What do you think would be the response?  If think was can safely say that this person is going to jump at that offer.  Who in their right mind would say, “I want to go to hell.  I am looking forward to it.”  I suspect some are so reprobate that they would turn their back on a chance to go to heaven.

Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was under the influence of evil when he wrote the Book of Mormon. He presents a counterfeit gospel and doctrines of demons. Every Mormon today believes they are Christians and that they are going to heaven. This is very sad.

3. He is called prince and power of the air

Ephesians 2:2 

 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world [Cosmic system], according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

This means that Satan not only rules the world but also a great number of angels.  He rules over all the fallen angels.

4. Satan himself made claimed that he was the ruler of the world before Jesus.

After His baptism, our Lord left the river Jordan and immediately proceeded into the wilderness of Judea.  He fasted, prayed and communed with His Father for 40 days.   At the end of this period, when we was weakest, Satan approached Him.  I would like to draw your attention to the second of three attacks that he made.  Look at Luke 4:5: Prior to these three unique temptations, the Scripture says that our Lord entered the wilderness and immediate Satan began to pressure Him.  In fact, the progressive present is used to indicate that He was under constant pressure.  Satan was relentless and hounded Him continually. The passive voice indicates the direction of the temptation.  He had no Old Sin Nature so that there was no inner pressure.  

Luke 4:5-8 

5] And he [Satan transported] Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world [Cosmic system] in a moment of time.

This is an incredible thing that Satan was able to do. 

I don't believe Jesus never left the wilderness bodily.  Yet in the supernatural realm, like Paul who was transported to the third Heaven or John who in Revelation four was able to look through the door of Heaven, in that realm time and space poses no limitations.  I don't know how he did it, but Satan presented to the Lord Jesus a glamorous picture of the great kingdoms of the world.  I can't explain this, but the Holy Spirit who was their gave us this report.  Notice what he said to Jesus:  

6] And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain [kingdom which he rules] and its glory [ no ghettos, no prisons, no penal colonies]; for it has been handed over to me [by Adam], and l give it to whomever l wish.
"for it has been handed over to me [by Adam], and l give it to whomever l wish."

The earthly kingdoms are mine, I control them, I am sovereign over them."  Did our Lord argue the point?  Did He refute Satan's claim?  "What are you crazy?  You own nothing, you control nothing!  Why you are hallucinating.  You are having a psychological episode, a delusion of grandeur.  There was no smack down.  

I never like to argue an idea from silence, but our Lord's silence is remarkable unless what Satan said was true.  He was indeed the ruler of the Cosmos.  The godless kingdoms of the world, and the kingdoms that knew God, like the United Sates, who wants to be independent of God of the Bible.  They all reside in the Cosmic System and they are in his grip.  

7] “Therefore if [third class condition] You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”

8] Jesus answered him, “lt is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ 

5. Satan is said to be ruler of the world before God the Father in Job 1:7; 2:2.

Job 1:7 

The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 

Job 2:2 

The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 

In His response to the Father he used an idiom which means whatever I walk on I own. The Father of Heaven and Earth does not object to his statement, neither does He attempt to correct him in anyway. 

Dr. Chafer, who I believe is an expert Satanologist, says, "...the divinely permitted exercise of his power results in accomplishments too vast for the human mind to grasp." 

6. This includes the entire world.  It is universal and inescapable.

1 John 5:19

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world [The Cosmic System] lies in the power of the evil one.

The world is cosmos diabolicus. The present tense of the verb KElMAl is the use of the durative concept of the present. This power to grip, to hold, to be in control of this world continues to exist and his power over the world, through interrupted by the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will resume at the end of the Millennium until the Lord casts him and his minions into the Lake of Fire.

7. Satan employs an innumerable army of fallen angels. [Ephesians 6:11,12; Luke 7:21; 8:2; Acts 19:12-16].

Ephesians 6:11 

 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 

Ephesians 6:12 

 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

Sometimes they are called evil spirits others demons, but they are all fallen angels who follow his orders. 

Luke 7:21

At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 

Luke 8:2 

and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 

Acts 19:12-16
[12] so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 

[13] But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place,
attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus,
saying, “l adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

[14] Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

[15] And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “l recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”

[16] And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

B.  His kingdom is exposed through words such as evil and darkness in 1 John. Because of Satan’s relationship to evil he receives the title “The Evil One”,

Satan is Identified as The Evil One 1 John 2:13,14, 3:8,10,12; 5:18,19.

1 John 2:13
l am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

1 John 2:14
I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. l have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

1 John 5:18
We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.

1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world [cosmos diabolicus] lies in the power of the evil one.

He learned this from Christ.

No greater authority can be found anywhere about this truth than from our Lord Jesus Christ and He calls Satan "the evil one" in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:19, 38.

Matthew 13:19

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the
evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 

Again in the same parable He says:

Matthew 13:38

and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons
of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;

It is not surprising to find in a passage which teaches the Angelic Conflict and the spiritual combat equipment believers are to wear for their protection, to find Satan revealed as "the Evil One".

Ephesians 6:16

 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

1 John 2:13,14

[13] l am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. l am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. l have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 

[14] l have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. l have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Here we have the title “The Evil One” and in addition a very important statement is made, “because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you.” Where is the Bible located?  In you, not in your Bibles.  They are strong, that is they are mature believers who have cracked the maturity barrier.  Doctrine resident in their soul is the solution to Evil. 

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the
evil one.

APO TO PONEROS - from the Evil One.  Apo is a preposition that speaks of separation. The separation of a person or object from another person or object in which it was formerly united but is now separated.  You were at once time in the cosmic system and you have been separated from it by believing in Christ. 

2.  As the Devil 1 John 3:8,10;

1 John 3:8
the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. as The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

B. Satan is seen in Scripture as the ruler of this World.  [John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4; Ephesians 2:2; Luke 4:5-8; 1 John 5:19].

1.  The Cosmic Believer and those who walk in darkness.

a.  False Teachers - the ones who spread Satan’s lies, 1 John 4:17.
b.  Antichrist - 1 John 2:18, 22, 26. They fight against God.
c.  The possess the spirit of Antichrist 1 John 4:3.
d.  They possess the spirit of Error, 1 John 4:6
e.  Deceivers 1 John 2:26, like their father Satan, John 8:44.
f.   Deniers of the Truth 1 John 2:22,23.
g.  Haters of God and others, 1 John 2:9,11; 3:15; 4:20.

1 John 3:13

Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.

h.  Murderers - 1 John 3:12.
i.   Lawless - 1 John 3:4.

j.   Walking in darkness – 1 John 1:6,8,9,11.   

2.  Positive believers are protected while living in the Cosmic system

He protects believers from the Cosmic system and especially from the Evil One and his minions.

1 John 4:4 

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 

1 John 5:18

We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.

1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one

Secondly, it is the stated objective of this book to bring us into a daily, personal relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:

 1 John 1:3

What we have seen and heard we also keep on proclaiming to you, in order that you also may have fellowship with us; indeed this fellowship which is ours is with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

What Christian doesn't want to fellowship with God?  I am not talking about when we get to Heaven.  Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but what about now.  If you're going to walk with God and share a daily close and intimate relationship with Him, then study this epistle. It is designed to instruct, to encourage, to challenge, yes even if necessary to reprove us, so that we might live in His presence and abide in Him today, tomorrow, and until He comes for us.

Again, this is written to believers to teach them how to live in God's presence, to live each day in the audience of One.  John will explain in simple, practical, and with direct principles what will hinder our fellowship with God and what will help us live our lives in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

As incredible as this might seem, it is true.  The infinite, eternal, and holy God, our heavenly Father, has created us for this purpose.  His plan involves three phases:

Phase 1:  Salvation - bringing us to Christ.

Phase 2:  Shepherding us through time - helping us become more like Christ. 

Phase 3:  Spending eternity with Him - bringing us into the presence of the Lord.

This plan stands or falls on one Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Again, this book is not a manual on how to be saved.  It is written to those who are already in the Body of Christ, to those who have already received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savoir.  

Thirdly, to assure believers that faith alone in Christ alone provides eternal life.

Regarding the purpose of 1 John and the Gospel of John, Dr. Tenney maintains: 

The gospel is a favorite theme of the Apostle.  He loves the expression "born of God" (See 1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18). He learned this from the Lord Jesus, who said to Nicodemos, "You must be born again if you are to enter the Kingdom of God,” John 3:3.  John wants believers to know they have eternal life.

1 John 5:11–13 

11) And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 

12) He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 

13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 

The Epistle of First John is a little book with a great big message.  If you are the kind of Christian who desires to live in a manner that is worthy of the Lord and you are seeking to please Him in all things, then this letter is for you.  If you want to honor and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, then First John will show you how.

THE PERSON JOHN WRITES ABOUT  

This is only a survey; these passages’ explanations and applications will be found in their respective contexts. How is Christ seen?  As John wrote in his prologue, “This [epistle] is about the Logos of Life.” We see Him in His titles and divine attributes. 

In His Titles:

1.  The Logos of Life

1 John 1:1

What was [always existing] from the beginning [incarnation]; what we have heard and His voice is still ringing in our ears; what we have seen with our own eye’s and the mental picture of Him is still crystal clear; what we have observed [thoroughly examining Him] and our hands have touched. This epistle is about the Logos of Eternal Life. (Expanded Translation)

2.  The Son of God - 1:3, 3:8; 4:15, 5:5,10,12,13, 20, eight times. You can add the phrase "His Son" another eight times 1:3, 7; 3:23; 4:10; 5:9,10,11, 20.   

1 John 4:15 

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

3.  Our Advocate 

1 John 2:1 

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. Nevertheless, if anyone sins, [then] we keep on having a Defense Attorney in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One; (Expanded Translation)

4.  Jesus Christ the Righteous 

1 John 2:1 

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. Nevertheless, if anyone sins, [then] we keep on having a Defense Attorney in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One (Expanded Translation) 

5.  The Christ

1 John 5:1
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.

6.  The Unique Born 

1 John 4:9

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten [unique born] Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

7.  The Savior of The World 

1 John 4:14
We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the
world.

8.  The Name – 1 John 2:12, 3:23, 5:13

1 John 5:13
These things l have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have

“The Name” is a title of His preeminence and celebrityship, as in Acts 4:12; Phil 2:9,10.

9.  The True Light

1 John 2:8 

On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 

His Divine Attributes 

1.  Righteousness and Justice 

 1 John 3:5
You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin [impeccability].

1 John 1:5

And the message keeps on being this, what we have heard from Him and at present is ringing in our ears, we have communicated it to you (to your advantage) that God is light, and in Him, darkness does not exist at all. 

1 John 2:1 

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. Nevertheless, if anyone sins, [then] we keep on having a Defense Attorney in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One (Expanded Translation) 

2.  Eternal Life 

1 John 5:11 

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 

1 John 5:12 

He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 

1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

These verses explain the mechanics of our union with Christ. One of the benefits is that when we believed in Jesus Christ, His eternal life was shared with us.  

3. Truth

1 John 5:20

we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus
Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

4.  Immutability

He is faithful and trustworthy; you can always depend on Him to keep His promises.

1 John 2:25
This is the promise which He Himself (Christ) made to us: eternal life.

5.  Love 

1 John 3:16
We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

6. Omnipotence and Sovereignty 

The Son of God in this passage refers to Christ deity. Only an omnipotent and sovereign God has a power greater than the devil.

1 John 3:8
the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

The Work of Christ in the Book of 1 John 

This survey focuses on the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, as John reveals it. Christ’s ministry is divided into three aspects; past, present, and future.

HIS WORK IN THE PAST

Foremost, in John’s mind, is His work as Savior. Jesus was our sin-bearer; He died “not only for our sins alone but also for [the sins of] the world [unbelieving humanity].” His mission was to come into this world and be judged for our sins while on the cross.

1 John 2:2
And He Himself [Christ] is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours alone [believers], but also for [the sins of] the entire world [unbelieving humanity]. 

Expanded Translation

1 John 4:10
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

His death on the cross propitiated [satisfied] every demand made by a Holy and righteous God for the sinner. 

1 John 3:16a
We know love by this, that He laid down His life [as a substitute] for us 

He was our substitute. He took our place on the cross. The way to salvation is now made possible for all through the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross.   When we believe in Christ as Savior, we are acknowledging two things. First, I am a sinner, and Christ bore my sins on the cross. In this, Jesus was my sin-bearer.  Secondly, I admit He took my place on the cross. He died the death that I should have died. In this, He was my substitute. 

1 John 3:23a
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ. 

John says we must believe in the NAME that is in His reputation.  He is the Savior of the World.  

1 John 5:11-13
11) And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

12) He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

One of the many blessings and benefits of believing in Christ is that we are placed into union with Him.  Because of our union with Christ, a channel of blessing is opened up. Eternal life is just one of the blessings. For others, see The Riches of Divine Grace. Click here       

1 John 3:8
the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

John viewed the cross as a victory. It defeated the purposes of Satan. Paul says that when we trust in Jesus, “we are transferred from Satan’s dominion into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.” Whatever purpose Satan had for us has been thwarted by our Lord Jesus Christ.  Dr. Chafer agrees that Christ triumphed over Satan:

Similarly, the Apostle Paul in referring to the victory Christ gained over principalities and powers by His cross, states: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (the cross—Col. 2:14–15). Chafer, L. S. (1993). Systematic theology (Vol. 3, pp. 110–111). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

THE PRESENT WORK OF CHRIST

Jesus set a pattern for us to follow. He set the precedence for us on how to live the Christian Way of Life. The main goal after salvation is for us to become more like Christ. 

1 John 2:6
the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

1 John 3:3   

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

1 John 4:9
By this, the love of God has been manifested in our case because God the Father has sent His Unique Son into the world so that we might live [every day] by means of Him [following His example]. Expanded Translation   

1 John 4:17

By this, the love of God has been achieved by us so that we may have confidence in the day of evaluation (Judgment Seat of Christ) because just as He is, so also are we in this world. Expanded Translation

In 1 John 4:17, “Just as He is, so also are we in this world” refers to the fact that our Lord obtained spiritual maturity, and we are to follow suit. So we have confidence that we will achieve a good outcome.  This is different than those who will “shrink away from Him in shame at His appearing,” 1 John 2:28.      

By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of
Judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

Our Lord Jesus Christ set the precedence, and we are to emulate Him. A very tall order to become like Christ. We are to “walk in the light as He is in the light; walk in the same manner as He walked; be pure, just as He is pure.” We can add to the present work His ministries in Heaven:

1. He is our Advocate

1 John 2:1
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous;

Satan appears in Heaven. He stands before the Father and says, “l was just down on earth, roaming around, and I saw one of your children biting his nails. This, as your Greatness knows, is a sign of worry. He is worrying and not trusting you. This salvation thing is not working out so well; why don’t you drop it. Let me have him. I will give him something to worry about.”

But our Advocate stands up and says, “Father, that sin has already gone to trial, and I was judged for it. The sin-debt is paid in full. Furthermore, He is one of mine.

The Father says, “case dismissed!” Our Lord protects us from the smear campaign of Satan.

2.  His ministry of Intercessor for our prayers 

1 John 5:14
This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

1 John 5:15
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the
requests which we have asked from Him.

He answers our prayers when they line up with His will.

THE FUTURE MINISTRY OF CHRIST

This is about His return for the church, what we call the Rapture.

1 John 2:28
Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.

1 John 3:2
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

We will receive our resurrection bodies at this coming. This blessed truth comes with the promise that we will see Jesus, for our new bodies will be equipped with the kind of sight necessary for that heavenly state.
________

ENDNOTES

1 Hodges, Z. C. (1985). 1 John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 880–881). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

2 Irenaeus of Lyons. (1885). Irenaeus Against Heresies [especially in Book III, 3, 4]. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 414). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company

3  Walter, V. (1992). Eusebius of Caesarea. In J. D. Douglas & P. W. Comfort (Eds.), Who’s Who in Christian history (p. 239). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

"Nobody, not even Eusebius himself, breathes a word of origins. He was apparently born in Palestine around 260. The first that is known of him is as pupil and assistant to Pamphilus at Caesarea. Pamphilus himself had come from Alexandria in Egypt and then had built at Caesarea one of the ancient world’s greatest Christian libraries. Earlier Origen had labored in Caesarea from around 232 to 255, and his famed Hexapla (Bible with six comparative columns of text) was kept there. Thus the theological traditions and style of Alexandrian theology were mediated through Pamphilus to the earnest young Eusebius, who so revered his teacher that he called himself Eusebius Pamphili (son of Pamphilus). In Caesarea he wrote three of his largest works—a refutation of paganism in fifteen books called Preparation, an examination of the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Christ in twenty books titled Demonstration of the Gospel, and his Chronicle of world history down to 303, which served as a prelude to the famed Ecclesiastical History."

4 Eusebius of Caesaria. (1890). The Church History of Eusebius. In P. Schaff & H. Wace (Eds.), A. C. McGiffert (Trans.), Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, and Oration in Praise of Constantine (Vol. 1, p. 150). New York: Christian Literature Company.

5  If you are unfamiliar with these terms, I will direct you to the studies on "the Doctrine of the Scriptures" on this site.  

6 Irenaeus of Lyons. (1885). Irenæus against Heresies [especially Book 3, 3.4]. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, pp. 351–352). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company

7 Schaff, P., & Schaff, D. S. (1910). History of the Christian church (Vol. 2, p. 497). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

8 The Dialogue against the Luciferians. In P. Schaff & H. Wace (Eds.), W. H. Fremantle, G. Lewis, & W. G. Martley (Trans.), St. Jerome: Letters and Select Works (Vol. 6, p. 332). New York: Christian Literature Company.

9 Irenaeus of Lyons. (1885). Irenæus against Heresies [especially Book 3, 3.4]. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, pp. 351–352). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company

10  Schaff, P., & Schaff, D. S. (1910). History of the Christian church (Vol. 2, p. 586). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

1  Ignatius of Antioch. (1885). The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 70). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company.

12 Ibid.

 13 Irenaeus against Heresies. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 349). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, [Iren., Adv. Haer. 1.24.2].

Saturninus was a teacher in Antioch, Syria during the reign of Hadrian.  What we know of him is found in the writing of the Church Fathers.

14  Irenaeus of Lyons. (1885). Irenæus against Heresies. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 349). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. [Iren., Adv. Haer. 1.24.4]

15  op.cite.  Iren., Adv. Haer. 3.3.4

16  Tertullian. (1885). A Treatise on the Soul. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), P. Holmes (Trans.), Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian (Vol. 3, p. 197). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. [Tert., De an. 17]

17  1John in 2:7; 3:2,21; 4:1,7,11.

8 Polycarp of Smryna. (1885). The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 34). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company.

19 Tenney, Merrill C. New Testament Survey. Edited by Walter M. Dunnett. Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; England: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Inter-Varsity Press, 1985 p 375.