2011 Black Stump Festival Bible Study (session 1 of 3)

If God is Life, Then We Are…

[before proceeding, please read 1 John 1:1-4; 5:13-21 —this is a Bible study, after all!]

The apostle Paul wrote these words:

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God … For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:1–2, 8–10)¹

These verses have recently become a favourite passage for my personal meditations.  Interestingly, the apostle John echoed Paul’s language and imagery in his first letter written to his own community(s) in the very same city shared by Paul’s community some years before!  It is this connection which drew me to pick up this letter as the focus of our Bible study time together.

Who Am I?

Convert; student; missionary; pastor.

Who Wrote 1 John?

Interestingly, the author of 1 John is not as obvious as it is with the other letters included in the New Testament.

Early Church fathers and historians all attributed this letter to the apostle John, the John of Jesus’ inner circle, who referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 13:23; 21: 7, 20).²

John’s authorship is attested to by Polycarp (69-156 ad) who, in his youth, was personally discipled by John. He later became a bishop in a region of modern Turkey and the first post-New Testament martyr.  Papias (c.60–130 ad), a contemporary of both John and Polycarp, also confirmed the letter’s authorship. Later, Irenaeus (fl. c. 175-195 ad) too supported John as author of this letter (see Against Heresies, 3.1.1), having grown up under Polycarp’s ministry and succeeding him as bishop, an early theologian, defender against heresy, and early proponent of the doctrine of Apostolic Succession, that the authority of “the faith” is established through the direct line of elders in the church back to the apostles —not unlike John’s own theology in his letter.  Therefore, the tradition of the early Church supports the apostle John as being the author of this letter.³

So too, the internal evidence points in this direction.  His use of the terms “we” (meaning, the apostles), “you” (readers), and “they” (false teachers) places the writer in the group of the direct apostolic eyewitnesses (1 Jn 1:1–3; 4:14).  While the letters are anonymous, John then, like today, would have been famous and celebrated as one of the apostles, and would likely have not needed much identification or credentials.  Further to this and finally, the style and language of this letter is too much like that of John’s gospel to be coincidental.

However, the early church historian, Eusebius, created controversy, that continues today, when he wrote of two “Johns” (see Church History, 3.39.4), one to whom he referred as an “elder”.  This becomes a problem because the author, thought to be John, of 2 John and 3 John identified himself as “the elder”.  These letters are more personal than the gospel and first letter, so the title “the elder” does not necessarily have to suggest a different author.

To be fair, I must admit the dispute to you and let you decide.  I am comfortable with the evidence for the apostolic authorship of 1 John and will proceed on that basis.

To Whom Did John Write?

The apostle John was known as an evangelist and a pastor, who both founded and supported Christian communities, not unlike the apostle Paul.  His recollections of the life and teachings of Jesus were sought out.  He was a “pillar of the Jerusalem church” (Ac 8:14; Gal 2:9), yet probably left Jerusalem some time before the destruction of the Temple in 70 ad.

What Connection with the Apostle Paul?

Church tradition tells us that he then likely ministered in and around Ephesus.  The seven churches identified in his book Revelations support this tradition.  Since Paul was likely martyred in the 60′s, having left Ephesus sometime earlier, perhaps John went there to continue Paul’s work?

Whether true or not, John wrote this letter to believers who were grounded in their faith, as compared to the new believers of Paul’s letters (cf. 1 Jn 2:7, 18–27; 3:11).  Plus, John wrote with affection, using terms like “friends” and “my dear children” (cf. 1 Jn 2:1, 7; 3:2; 4:4; 5:21).  Thus this letter was intended generally for his communities.  1 John can be dated fairly reliably as written between 70-90 ad.

What Happened to John’s Churches?

As we will see, John and his communities faced some difficult opposition.  As Paul faced the attacks of those who felt Gentile Christians must become and behave like Jews, John struggled with the false teaching of wayward members from his communities who eventually split the congregation in two.

Unfortunately, history seems to indicate that John’s communities did not survive the struggle.  Where Paul’s home church in Antioch became a kind of mega-church, John’s fades into obscurity.

While we might not see John as a successful church leader by contemporary standards, the depth and spirit of his gospel and letters certainly show John to have been a faithful leader, passionate for the truth of the gospel and with a pastor’s heart for his people.

Why Did John Write This Letter?

Since there is ongoing debate regarding the date and structure of John’s writings, and even over the order they were written, it is a little hard to piece together precise details on many of these introductory questions.  With the apostle Paul, we have many letters and the benefit of Luke’s book The Acts of the Apostles to ‘flesh out’ Paul’s story.  Unfortunately, we are not so blessed when it comes to John.

As both a pastor and an evangelist, John’s writing style was simple but expressive, touching on complicated issues and doctrines with a beauty that draws us in as readers.  He wrote as if he was appealing to the reader’s heart rather than the head.  In this first of his letters, we can discern five purposes, in order of their presentation:

1. to promote fellowship (1 Jn 1:3)

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.  And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)

John, along with the other apostles, had seen and heard Jesus directly, and recalled Jesus’ words,

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9b)

My prayer is not for [these apostles] alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20–21)

John then wrote his letter to his communities knowing their increasing and maturing knowledge of Jesus would draw them into fellowship with God and with each other, fellowship being an experience of life far beyond and more beautiful than mere knowledge alone, since another purpose was …

2. to produce happiness (1 Jn 1:4)

We write this to make our joy complete. (1 John 1:4)

Being with John in spiritual experience, the faith and fellowship of these communities would result in joy and happiness, not simply for John and the apostles —which is an easy reading at first glance— but for all those united by faith in Jesus.  It bears noting that some early copies and versions of the Bible read “your” rather than “our”.  Since John’s message, as previously noted, was to produce “fellowship with us [the apostle] … with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 Jn 1:3), it’s fair to say that John was not being selfish.

3. to protect holiness (1 Jn 2:1)

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father —Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (1 John 2:1)

With affection, John encourages his communities with his letter “so that you will not sin”.  Even though he knows that they will sin at some point (1 Jn 1:8, 10), he wanted to encourage them to strive for holy living and to reassure them that Jesus’ sacrifice continues to be effective, in that he represents us to God.

4. to prevent heresy (1 Jn 2:26)

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. (1 John 2:26)

Despite our contemporary desire to idealise those early Christian communities, 1 John makes it clear that John struggled with opponents who distorted the Gospel.  They may have started out faithfully adhering to the apostles’ report of and reflection on Jesus’ life and teachings, but they strayed dangerously far away.

5. to provide hope (1 Jn 5:13)

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)

John minced no words in describing the condition and falsehoods of his opponents but his intention was to reassure his followers to remain faithful to his message, to reassure them that their eternal life was certain.

With a background of dispute and division, John described three tests for fellowship with God and with each other:

1. Have I confessed all known sins to God? (1 Jn 1:9)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Once one has recognised God’s existence and authority as Creator, one will naturally respond.  Those aware of their sinfulness can be assured that their confession does in fact and effect result in their reconciliation with God.

2. Am I walking in obedience to the light of God’s Word? (1 Jn 2:4-5)

Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.  But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.  This is how we know we are in him: (1 John 2:4–5)

Love for God naturally leads to obedience; obedience naturally leads to love for God.  Without either, how can one expect to be in fellowship with God?

3. Am I demonstrating a love for brothers and sisters in faith and community? (1 Jn 2:9-10)

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.  Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. (1 John 2:9–10)

If we love God we will naturally love as God loves and those God loves.

What Relevance for Today?

John promoted the experience of God as the sure reward for those holding to the faith of the apostles (cf. 1 Jn 1:3), to that Gospel in which they first believed (1 Jn 2:7, 24; 3:11, 23; 4:21; 2 Jn 5, 6).  He believed that Jesus was life and eternal life was only to be found in him.  For John, the incarnate Word (read: “Jesus”) is everything.

Jesus is not some abstract idea to be preached or through which we are enlightened.  He is to be shared and experienced in community (1 Jn 1:3-4).  Indeed, John grounds his message in his experience of the Word/Jesus.

What positive experiences have you had learning more about God/Jesus in community?  When and why have you ever felt like you wanted to walk away from your faith community?

The Christian message about Jesus is a particular message based on a particular event in human history (1 Jn 1:1-2).  To argue otherwise is to diminish and demean the witness of John and the apostles and, indeed, of the whole Christian community since.

Knowing the message and person of Jesus is to know and receive life.  Those who fellowship with Jesus must possess his quality of life.  Faith in Jesus Christ infuses us with God’s life —eternal life. Therefore, one who walks in fellowship with God will walk in light, love, and life.

If John is correct on this, then we had better pay close attention!

For the apostles John and Paul, our “maturing in knowledge” occurs in community (1 Jn 1:3-4; Eph 4:11-16).  Part 2 of this series will look deeper into John’s letter and what he felt compelled to share with his community.

Something to Think About

Revisit the three tests for fellowship.  Prayerfully consider your answers to these questions.  Ask a friend from your community for feedback.

Prayerfully consider these questions as they apply to your community as a whole.  Are others in your community reflecting John’s concerns?  Are your leaders?  What might you do to encourage and support your community away from John’s fears?

Online colleges have courses in religious studies for those who want to learn more.

Endnotes