Jensens survey of the old testament adam 602

John also has much to say in his epistle
concerning God the Father, whom he
introduces in the opening paragraph (1:2-3).
And when the apostle thinks about how
Jesus the Son and God the Father are related
to believers like himself, the rst grand
truth that comes to his mind is that of
fellowship. The Son and the Father are the
persons of the fellowship.
2. Conditions for fellowship with God. In 1:5
—2:2 the apostle identi es the conditions or
requirements of fellowship with God, so that
there will be no question in the minds of his
readers regarding how one can enjoy the full
blessings that such a fellowship brings.
Observe in the passage these three
conditions:
a. walk in the light (1:5-7)
b. confess sins (1:8-10)
c. do not sin (2:1-2).


B. ANTICHRISTS (2:8-29)
Up to this point in the epistle, John has
written much about sin, Satan (the “wicked
one”), the world, and darkness. Now he
introduces another hostile element — a
personal one that he labels antichrist (Greek
antichristos).11 The apostle calls the enemies
of Christ, as described in this passage,
“antichrists.” How many were there, as of

his time (2:18)? How did they oppose
Christ?
Note John’s reference to an antichrist in
2:18. Compare this with 4:3-4. In John’s
day, Christians knew that a personal
antichrist would one day appear in this
world. The Old Testament, Jesus, and Paul’s
writings all taught about such a person as
the “man of sin.” Compare 2 Thessalonians
2:4 with Daniel 11:36-37; Revelation 13:1-8
with Daniel 7:8, 20 .; 8:24; 11:28-30. Read


also Ezekiel 38-39; Zechariah 12-14;
Matthew 24:15, 24; Mark 13:22; 2
Thessalonians 2:1-12; Revelation 17:8.
C. TRUTH AND LOVE (4:1-21)
Chapter 4 is about two main subjects:
truth in doctrine (vv. 1-6) and love in action
(vv. 7-21). John had brie y mentioned this
relationship between truth and love in 3:18:
“Love … in truth.” Now he dwells on the
subject in detail. True doctrine is the
foundation of life with God; Christian love is
the natural expression of life with God.
In what ways does John write about true
doctrine in 4:1-6? What does he teach about
love in 4:7-21?
D. ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE (5:13-

21)
John’s inspiring epistle could not end on a
higher, more climactic note than that of
assurance and security. The last segment of
nine verses is bathed in this atmosphere,
with the words “we know” resounding over
and over again in a symphony of triumph. In
writing his epistle, John wanted to show
that those who believe and obey the
message of the gospel can and do know with
assurance that the prize of eternal life, with
all its attendant blessings, is their own
present and abiding possession.
Read the passage and record all that it
teaches about assurance.
VI. THEME, KEY WORDS AND VERSES FOR 1 JOHN
What key words and verses did you
observe in your survey of 1 John? What is