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- Prologue 1:1-4
  - That which was from the beginning
    - notice similarity to beginning of John
  - That which we have experienced
    - We experienced the Word of life
      - which we have heard
      - which we have seen with our eyes
      - which we have looked upon
      - and our hands have handled
        cf. deniers that Jesus had come in the flesh
        John is eyewitness to Jesus' flesh/body
      - Concerning the Word of Life
        Jesus spoken of in similar terms
    - The life appeared
      - and we have seen
      - and we are testifying and proclaiming to you the eternal life
    - The life was with the Father
      - cf. John 1:1
    - And it was revealed to us
  - We proclaim also to you
    - That which we have seen and heard
    - - testimony
    - Purpose - So that you may have fellowship with/along with us
      - And our fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ
      - Horizontal and Vertical Fellowship
  - We are writing these things to you
    - Purpose - so that your joy may be completely fulfilled
- Light and Darkness 1:5-2:2
  - Two dangers addressed in this section
    - not taking sin seriously enough
    - taking it too seriously - without hope of atonement
    - The wisdom of comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable
  - The Fact, the Message, the reality
    - This is the message that we heard from Him and we are proclaiming to you
    - God is Light
    - In Him is NO DARKNESS AT All
      - harp in this – double negative
  - The implications, applications for us
    - because this is true, all these things are true as well
    - Round 1
      - Neg -if we say that we have fellowship with Him, even though we walk in darkness
        we are lying and not doing the truth
        theme of confessing, claiming
        not just to others, but to self – beware of listening to yourself – too easy and too hard on self
        claim fellowship with God
        while at the same time walking in things that are the opposite of the characteristics of God – not true
        we lie and are not doing the truth
        not only lie to others, but to ourselves
      - Pos -But if we walk in the light as He is in the light,
        walk in the light – defined throughout
        faith working itself out in ethics because of abiding relationship
        standard is Jesus Himself – not culture or other Christians
        be perfect
        we have fellowship with one another (with God)
        we have fellowship – with one another and with God – abiding, friends, cf. prologue
        highlight one another theme
        and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin
        the atoning blood of Jesus takes care of the sins that we do have
    - Round 2
      - Neg - If we deny that we have sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us
        deny that we have sin - that we are sinners and commit sin
        we deceive ourselves
        lie to ourselves if we think we are sinless
        do not trust yourself – pride before fall
        The truth is not in us
        truth and deceit are mutually exclusive
      - Pos - If we confess our sin, He forgives and cleanses us because of His character
        Confess sin – agree with God
        2 Cor. 7 godly repentance and worldly repentance
        He is faithful and just
        Cross of Christ – justice and grace/mercy meet
        forgive sins – leave them behind
        cleanse us from all unrighteousness – to match His righteousness
    - Round 3
      - Neg - If we deny that we have sinned we make Him a liar and His Word is not in us
        deny that we have sinned – pf. tense – deny it is a big deal, minimize it
        we claim directly contrary to what God says – opposite of confess
        we claim that God is wrong to make ourselves seem right – claim Him a liar/false
      - Pos - I am writing so that you do not sin, but if you do, God has it covered
        Don’t sin – we can overcome
        John strongly states that we must and will overcome if we are born of God
        but for those times when we do sin – Christ takes care of it
        we have a Paraclete with the Father
        an advocate – defense lawyer
        Jesus Christ – THE RIGHTEOUS ONE
        His righteousness makes Him qualified to defend us and is the basis for our defense
        cf. 2 Cor 5:21
        He is the propitiating sacrifice concerning our sin
        sacrifice that effectively turns away wrath
        And not only for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world
        will whole world be saved?
        probably combatting parochialism reaction to false teachers leaving
        cf. Elijah – only one left
        bigger picture of God’s people – Jew and Gentile beyond the factional dispute in Ephesus
- True and False Believers 2:3-3:24
  - Tests for knowing God 2:3-6
    - First test -
      - In this we know that we have known Him:
      - if we keep His commands
    - Elaboration/illustration
      - Neg - The one saying "I know Him" and not keeping His commands
        this one is a liar
        and the truth is not in him
      - Pos - whoever keeps His Word
        The love of God truly is perfected in Him
    - Second test -
      - In this we know that we are in Him:
      - The one saying "I am abiding in Him"
      - He ought to walk/lifestyle
      - in the same way as This One (Jesus) walks/lifestyle
  - Old & New Commands to not be in the darkness 2:7-11
    - An Old Command
      - I am not writing to you a new command
      - but an old command
      - which you were having from the beginning
      - The old command is the Word which you heard
    - A New Command
      - Again, a new command I am writing to you
      - which is true in Him and in you
      - because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining
    - Hating = Darkness
      - The one saying "I am in the light" and hating his brother
      - this one is still in the darkness
      - The one hating his brother
        he is in the darkness
        he is walking/lifestyle in the darkness
        and he does not know where he is going
        because the darkness has blinded his eyes
  - Encouragements with affection 2:12-14
    - Intro matters
      - 2 rounds
        change of verb tense
        most likely no real change of meaning - epistlatory aorist
      - 3 addressees
        all that is said applies to all groups
        don't make hard fast distinction
        2 different terms for 'children' flexible
        4 possibilities
        3 literal groups
        3 metaphorical groups - spiritual maturity
        'children' blanket term - then broken into two groups
        not groups, but addressing all using metaphorical age group appropriate to what is illustrated - i.e. wise father, strong youth, etc.
        last possibility seems best
        major problems pressing distinctions - don't go beyond what is written
      - significance of hoti?
        because - giving reason for writing - probably not!
        "That" - giving content of writing - probably - cf. John 16:8-11
      - written for encouragement to those who may have been discouraged about their spiritual state
    - First Round
      - Children
        I am writing to you
        that your sins are forgiven
        because of His Name
      - Fathers
        I am writing to you
        that you have known the one who is from the beginning
      - Youth
        I am writing to you
        that you have decisively overcome the evil (one)
    - Second Round
      - Children
        I wrote to you
        that you have known the Father
      - Fathers
        I wrote to you
        that you have known the One Who is from the beginning
      - Youth
        I wrote to you
        that you are strong
        and the Word of God remains in you
        and you have decisively overcome the evil (one)
  - Do not love the world 2:15-17
    - Command
      - do not love the world
      - and do not love the things in the world
    - Contrast
      - if someone loves the world
      - The love of the Father is not in Him
      - cf. No other gods before me, cannot serve God and money, etc.
      - God is a jealous God, flee idolatry
      - harp on this stark contrast
    - Reason
      - Because everything in the world is not from the Father
        the desire of the flesh
        and the desire of the eyes
        and the pride of life
      - But is from the world
    - Result
      - And the world and its desires are passing away
        cf. I Cor. 7:31
      - But the one doing the will of God remains/abides forever
  - Tests for Truth 2:18-25
    - Antichrist
      - Children, It is the last hour
      - And just as you heard that antichrist was coming,
        definition of Antichrist
        2 meanings of anti
        against - enemy of Christ
        in place of - substitute false Christ
        typically both, being an enemy of Christ by being a false pretender christ
        alternate means of salvation - many promises, many lies
        both the One ultimate expression
        but also many various historical expressions - Mohammed, Joseph Smith, deodorant salesman, Oprah, politicians, etc.
        all who draw attention away from Christ to themselves - beware of being this type of Christian leader
      - also now many antichrists have come
      - from this we know that it is the last hour
    - Defectors
      - They went out from us
      - but they were not from us
        cf. not of this world
      - For if they were from us
      - They would have remained with us
      - but [they left] so that they may be revealed that they all were not from us.
    - Knowing the Truth
      - And you have an anointing from the holy one and you know all
        to assign a person to a task, with the implication of supernatural sanctions, blessing, and endowment
      - I did not write to you that you did not know the truth but that you do know it
      - and every falsehood/lie is not from the truth
      - Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ
    - Denying/Confessing the Son
      - This one is the antichrist - the one denying the Father and the Son
        cf. Jn ch. 5 same honor to Father and Son
      - Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either
      - The one confessing the Son also has the Father
    - Remain in the truth
      - You, let what you heard from the beginning remain in you
      - If what you heard from the beginning remains in you
      - Then you will remain in the Son and in the Father
      - And this is the message which He proclaimed to us - eternal life
  - Stand in the truth 2:26-27
    - I wrote these things to you concerning those who are deceiving you
    - Trust your Calling/Provision
      - and you - the anointing which you received from Him remains in you
      - and you do not have a need for someone to teach you
      - but as this same anointing teaches you concerning all
    - Your Calling/Provision is True
      - and it is true
      - and it is not false
    - Remain in It/Him
      - and just as he/it taught you
      - remain in it/him
  - Promise of His Revelation 2:28-29
    - And now children, remain in Him
    - so that if/when he is revealed
    - we may have freedom/boldness/confidence
    - and not be ashamed from Him/shrink away from Him in shame
    - at His revelation
  - Our identity in Christ 3:1-3
    - What we are
      - Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us
      - so that we may be called the children of God
      - And this is what we are
      - Because of this, the world does not know us
      - Because it did not know Him
        cf. Jn 15
    - What we will be
      - Beloved, we are now children of God
      - and it has not yet been revealed what we will be
      - we know that if/when He is revealed
      - we will be like Him
        cf. Col. 3:1-4
      - because we will see Him just as He is
    - The implication
      - and everyone who has this hope upon him sanctifies himself
        cf. Jn 17
      - Just as this one is holy
  - The seriousness of sin 3:4-10
    - Sin is a big deal
      - Everyone who is doing sin is also doing lawlessness
        connecting the more (but not really) neutral term 'sin' ('missing the mark') with the wholly negative term 'lawlessness'
        to show that sin cannot be downplayed
        it is not just a mistake or indiscretion or failure
        it is rebellion
      - And sin is lawlessness
    - Jesus dealt with sin
      - and you know that this One was revealed
      - so that He may take away the sins
      - and there is no sin in Him
        cf. 1:5
    - Christians don't continue in sin
      - And everyone who remains in Him does not sin
      - everyone who is sinning has not seen Him and does not know Him
      - children, let no one deceive you
      - The one who is doing righteousness is righteous
      - Just as this One [Jesus] is righteous
    - Those who continue in sin are not Christians
      - The one who is doing sin is from the devil
      - because the devil was sinning from the beginning
    - Jesus dealt with sin
      - The Son of God was revealed for this reason
      - so that He might destroy the works of the devil
    - Christians don't continue in sin
      - Everyone who has been born from God is not doing sin
        possible translation - "continue in sin" bringing out significance of present tense
      - because His seed is remaining in him
      - and he is not able to sin
      - because he has been born from God
    - The test
      - The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in/by this
      - everyone who is not doing righteousness and who does not love his brother is not from God
  - Love one another 3:11-18
    - the command
      - Because this is the message which you heard from the beginning
      - that we may/should love one another
        poss. 'so that' = purpose
        poss. 'that' = content of message
    - The alternative
      - Not just as Cain was from the evil (one)
      - and he murdered his brother
      - And for what reason did he murder him?
      - because his works were evil
      - but the works of his brother were righteous
      - do not marvel brothers if the world hates you
    - the test
      - positive
        we know that we have passed from death into life
        cf. Jn 5:24, 13:1
        departed one place/reality and entered another
        border crossing
        because we love the brothers
      - negative
        the one who is not loving is remaining in death
        everyone who hates his brother is a murderer
        cf. Matt. 5:21-26
        And we know that every murderer does not have eternal life remaining in them
    - the standard
      - In this we know love - that this One lay down His life for our sakes
        cf. Jn 10
      - and we ought to lay down our lives for the sake of the brothers
        cf. jn 13
    - the illustration
      - whoever has the means of life of this world and sees his brother having a need and closes his compassion from him
      - how can the love of God remain in him?
    - the implication
      - children, do not love (only) with words or (only) with tongue, but in work and truth
  - Tests if we are in Him and He in us 3:19-24
    - confidence vs. condemnation
      - The test
        In this we know that we are from the truth
        and we will persuade/reassure our hearts before Him/in His presence
      - If condemnation
        that if our hearts condemn us
        God is greater than our hearts
        and He knows all things
      - If no condemnation
        brothers, if our hearts do not condemn us
        we have confidence toward/before God
    - ask and receive
      - Ask and Receive
        And whatever we ask,
        we will receive from Him
        cf. upper room discourse
      - reason
        because we are keeping His commands
        and we are doing the things that are pleasing to Him
      - elaboration on commands
        And this is HIs command
        that we believe in the Name of His Son - Jesus Christ
        notice including the title "Christ"
        and we love one another
        just as He gave (this)command to us
        i.e. with washing feet and laying down His life
    - Remaining in Him
      - and the one who is keeping His commands is remaining in Him
      - and He (is remaining) in him
      - and in this we are knowing that He is remaining in us - from the Spirit which He gave to us
        cf. another paraclete = presence of Jesus remaining
- True and False Faith 4:1-5:12
  - Test the Spirits 4:1-6
    - Test the Spirits
      - Beloved, do not believe every spirit
      - But test the spirits - if they are from God
        How do we test the spirits?
        Orthodox Theology
        Righteousness
        Love
      - Because many false prophets have gone out into the world
    - First test - Orthodox Theology
      - In this we know the Spirit of God
      - Every Spirit that confesses that Jesus came in the flesh is from God
        qualifications
        written for that time and controversy, not blanket test
        must include other tests for current spirits and controversies
      - Every Spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God
      - And this one is the spirit of the antichrist
        which you have heard was coming
        and now is already in the world
    - God is greater than false spirits
      - You are from God, children
      - And you have overcome them
      - because the One in you is greater than the one in the world
    - Second test - Close to the World or to Orthodox Teachers
      - They are from the world
      - For this reason, they speak from the world
      - and the world hears them
      - But us - we are from God
      - The one who knows God listens to us
      - Whoever is not from God does not hear us
      - In this we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of deception
  - Love One Another 4:7-12
    - Beloved, love one another
    - Reason
      - Because love is from God
      - and everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God
        qualification - not the only test
        must define 'love' by Christian standard
      - The one who does not love does not know God
      - because God is love
    - Standard - God's Love
      - In this the love of God is revealed in us:
      - That God sent His One and Only Son into the world
        cf. Jn 3:16
      - So that we may live through Him
      - In this love is:
        not that we loved God
        but that He loved us
        and sent His Son - propitiation concerning our sin
        cf. 2:2
    - Implication
      - Beloved, if God loved us in this way
      - We also ought to love one another
      - No one has ever seen God
      - if we love one another -
      - God remains in us
      - and His love is perfected in us
  - Two tests 4:13-15
    - test 1
      - In this we know that we are remaining in Him and He in us
      - that He has given to us His Spirit
        What He has given us is from His Spirit (source)
        and of His Spirit (content/partitive)
        And we have seen and we are testifying that the Father sent the Son - the Savior of the world
    - test 2
      - Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God
      - God is abiding in him
      - and He is abiding in God
  - The Love of God 4:16-21
    - We experience God's love
      - And we have known and we have believed the love which God has in us
      - God is love
      - and the one who is abiding in love is abiding in God and God is abiding in Him
      - In this, the love is perfected/completed with us
      - so that we have confidence in the day of judgment
      - because just like this one is - so also we are in this world
        i.e. following Jesus' example in the world
    - Love vs. Fear
      - There is no fear in love
      - but perfected/completed love throws out fear
      - because fear has to do with punishment
      - and the one fearing has not been perfected/completed in love
        cf. freedom brought by atonement
        cf. Heb. 2:14-15
        so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-
        and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
        The accuser has no weapon when the crime is out in the open and paid for.
        if you want more freedom from fear/doubt
        meditate more on the Cross to combat doubts about God's intentions toward you
        meditate more on God's sovereignty to combat doubts about God's ability on your behalf
    - We practice God's love
      - We love because He first loved us
      - If someone says "I love God" and he hates his brother
      - he is a liar
        because the one who is not loving his brother whom he has seen
        he is not able to love God Whom he has not seen
      - And we have this command from Him
      - that the one who is loving God must love his brother
  - Faith and Love 5:1-5
    - Everyone who is believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born from God
    - And everyone who is loving the One who gives birth (begets) loves the one born from Him
      - i.e. if you love God, you will love His children,
      - b/c they come from Him
    - In this we know that we are loving the children of God
      - when we love God
      - and we are doing His commands
    - This is the love of God
      - obedience
        that we are keeping His commands
        beware of those who define the Love of God in a way that leads to libertinism and license
        and His commands are not burdensome
        cf. Mt. 11:30 - yoke is easy, burden light
        because everyone who has been born from God is overcoming the world
      - faith
        and this is the victory (cognate) which is victorious (overcomes) the world - our faith
        Who is the one who is overcoming the world except the one who is believing that Jesus is the Son of God
        defines the faith that overcomes
        orthodox theology that results in passion and holiness of life
        one who claims to have assent to facts but they do not impact life, does not really know the facts, does not have orthodox theology
        rant on both and heart and head, cannot settle for either
        orthodox theology extremely important
        orthodox theology always leads to joy and success if you pursue it and apply it.
  - The testimony 5:6-12
    - Three witnesses
      - This one is the one who came through/by water and blood - Jesus Christ
      - Not by water only, but by water and by blood
        water and blood most likely baptism and crucifixion
        cf. gnostic denials in the incarnation and crucifixion of the Christ
      - And the Spirit is the one testifying because the Spirit is the truth
        cf. Spirit of Truth, testifying to Jesus Jn ch. 16
      - For there are three that are testifying
      - the Spirit and the water and the blood
        excursus on the text of KJV /NKJV
        "The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit and these three are one.
        Scribal purposeful change during Trinitarian controversy
        probably thought helping the side of truth, but not
        never help truth by falsehood
        Doctrine of Trinity did not and still does not need the help of falsehood
      - and the three are unified in their testimony
    - God's testimony
      - If we are receiving the testimony of man, the testimony of God is greater
      - for this is the testimony of God that He has testified concerning His Son
      - The one who is believing in in the Son of God is having the testimony in himself
      - The one who is not believing God has made Him (to be) a liar
      - because he has not believed the testimony which God testified concerning His Son
      - And this is the testimony:
        That God has given to us life eternal
        and this life is in His Son
    - The bottom line
      - The one who has the Son has life
      - The one who does not have the Son of God, does not have life
- Conclusion 5:13-21
  - Purpose 5:13
    - Purpose Statement
    - I am writing these things to you
      - to those who are believing in the Name of the Son of God
      - All of these encouragements only apply to those who have faith in Christ - not everyone is an overcomer
    - purpose: so that you may know
    - Content: that you have eternal life
  - Requests to God 5:14-15
    - This is the confidence that we have toward Him
    - that whatever we ask according to His will - He hears us
    - And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask (still subject to His will)
    - We know that we have the requests which we asked from Him
  - Intercession for a brother 5:16-17
    - If someone sees his brother sinning a sin not unto death
      - 4 main possibilities
      - more serious vs. less serious sin
      - deliberate vs. unintentional sin - cf. Torah
      - Sin which has already led to death - i.e. Don't bother praying for the dead
      - In context - apostasy from the community - all that the false teachers are and do
    - He will ask and He (God) will give him life
    - That is to the sin which does not lead to death
    - There is a sin unto death
    - I am not saying that you should ask concerning this
    - All unrighteousness is sin
    - And there is sin not unto death
  - What we know 5:18-20
    - We know that everyone who has been born from God is not sinning (continuing in sin)
      - But the one being born from God is keeping himself
      - And the evil (one) does not touch him
    - We know that we are from God
      - And the whole world lies in the power of the evil one
    - We know that the Son of God has come and He has given us understanding
      - so that we are knowing the truth
      - and we are in the truth in His Son - Jesus Christ
    - This is the True God and Eternal Life
  - The charge 5:21
    - Children, Keep yourself from Idols