A Brief Introduction to a Study in 1 John
In looking at the epistles of 1, 2, 3 John, we enter the local churches at Ephesus and the surrounding region. The context is schism caused by secessionists. These dissenters from the Johannine Community were false teachers who departed from sound doctrine. They were also recruiting church members to leave, too.
The Apostle John wrote to present sound teaching where heresies had entered the churches. In reinforcing orthodoxy and orthopraxy, this apostolic eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry carried significant influence. He had previously written his Gospel account; and now John wrote his letters to confront those who were leading church members astray, regarding: the incarnation and humanity of Jesus Christ; the atonement; the doctrine of the Holy Spirit; Christian love; and eternal life.
1 John was a circular letter shared by multiple local churches in the region. A.D. 90, as a date for authorship, is reasonable for the development of heresies and factions. The Johannine community was walking in the truth; but Docetism and Gnosticism were both diluting the pure Gospel. Church members were vulnerable to wealthy charismatics claiming a superior spirituality for themselves. The dissenters insisted they had a “special anointing” from God that gave them “special knowledge.”
Despite their prideful boasts, they were promoting a different Jesus and a different gospel. John wrote to give his community the blessed assurance of knowing they were holding to the truth. They also received a blessing in knowing they had eternal life.
The truth of the Gospel was also having a positive effect on their behavior. Christian ethics flow from excellent theology. All three epistles appear to be interrelated to one another and to the Gospel of John with some distinctions. Each writing contributes to the polemic against those who present themselves as orthodox…but who fail the test.
The disciple whom Jesus loved is identified as the “beloved disciple.” John the Apostle shows great pastoral care in writing against the secessionists, who have gone out from the Christian community. As an eyewitness to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, John wants the Christians to hold fast to the truth as it is in Jesus. The denial of Jesus Christ, the Son of God enfleshed, is the crux of the argument (1 Jn 4:2–3). Further, Jesus’ atoning death is necessary for the forgiveness of sins (1 Jn 5:6–7). New views were introduced and threatened the purity of the Gospel, as John had taught it (1 Jn 2:19). Itinerant preachers opposed to John’s Gospel were throwing the church into confusion.
Doubts arose about blessed assurance of salvation, granted to believers by the indwelling Holy Spirit and by the promises of God’s Word. The children of God walk in the light of truth, while the children of the devil are always inventing new ways to lead people away from the simplicity of the Gospel. The deceivers, in the domain of darkness, were engaged in the work of the blind leading the blind into the pit.
Johannine Christianity, coupled with Judean and Pauline versions, coalesced to give us a diversity that found its unity in the Holy Spirit, who provides the “anointing” to every believer — so that claims of special revelation and special knowledge are bunk. John used language that was more stern than other New Testament writers. His opponents were “antichrist”; “children of the devil”; “who went out from us.”
The early church fathers from Polycarp to Irenaeus, to Tertullian, to Clement of Alexandria, to Eusebius the historian, and Origen attest to John’s Gospel and epistles. As with other books in the New Testament, full acceptance did not arrive until the late fourth century A.D.
John and his community lived in a world hostile to Christ and His church. We must see the opponents, the secessionists, as hostile agents, too. Lack of love from the false teachers was experienced by the local churches. The theme of God’s love is therefore prominent.
Many claim to know and to love God; but without the truth of the Gospel there is always an arrogant boasting of spiritual superiority, even claims of sinless perfection. In addition, False teachers always seem to find a way to distort the doctrine of Christ, His Person and work.
If one denies the incarnation, in favor of some Gnostic dualism, he will eventually deny the human body of Jesus to secure atonement by His precious blood. Truth unifies believers in love and in the bond of peace. Not doing right, especially in the community of faith, is behavioral evidence that deficiencies exist in the doctrines deemed heretical.
Today, Christians must study Johannine literature as the Word of God for us. The false teachers are still with us, leading people into diverse heresies. Therefore, let us know the truth that sets us free from the doctrine of demons, and let the goal of our instruction always be love from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 6, 2023
1 John — Intro
