November 24th 2024 1 John chapter 1
Unlike most other NT epistles this one has no salutation at the beginning and no benediction at the end.
These four verses of introduction correspond to the opening eighteen verses of the Gospel…… and three verses of the Revelation. They tell us the writer's subject, namely, the Word, who is Jesus and He is the Life and Light.
V 1. Was. From [the] beginning. Not "came into existence" but was in existence already
In this instance the phrase means a beginning prior to creation, and the meaning is determined by was with the Father ·in verse 2. This is a sweeping claim for the eternity of Christ.
Which we have heard. Seen with our eyes. John would have us know that the seeing is no figure of speech but a REAL fact.
Looked upon, and , . . handled. The words are an indicates of a special manifestation of Christ.
Handled is the same as sharing a meal with Jesus as indicated in one of his post-resurrection appearances.
Word of life. Word is a name of a person rather than rather than something you read, and life indicates work of JESUS in us, in v. 2 it is practically tells us it is a name.
V 2. The life which Christ manifested was eternal life because Christ was with the Father. The phrase shows the separate personality of Christ, who is the life; and which shows the equality of Christ with the Father,
The Purpose of these 4 verses.
Is to assure his readers of the real person of Jesus, God’s only Son.
V 3. Seen and heard. The Information is the basis for fellowship as believers together. (Even though they have not seen Him in person). John had seen Jesus
We declare unto you (also). Who have not seen and heard. Fellowship. This is the purpose of John's message and is the theme of the epistle. Fellowship is best pictured in the Lord's Supper (I Cor 10:16).
With the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Two fundamental truths, which the heresies of the age were apt to obscure or deny, are here clearly laid down at the outset of the Epistle,
(1) the clarity of personality and equality of respect between the Father and the Son;
(2) the identity of the eternal Son of God with the historical person Jesus Christ.
V 4. That your joy may be full.. Fellowship is the basis of joy. The readers joy depended on it and so did the apostle's.
But fellowship has Conditions.
We must conformity to a Standard. This section directly contradicts the Gnostic doctrine, that moral conduct is a matter of unimportance to the free-thinking one.
V 5. Of him. The words come From Jesus Christ.
God is light. No one tells us so much about God as John does. He is spirit(Jn 4:24); he is light (I Jn 1 :5); and he is love (I Jn 4:8). The statements concern is ….what God is, not what he does.
So light is his very nature. Holiness is the principal idea, and its use here at the beginning of the epistle lays the foundation for the Christian beliefs of the letter.
V 6. If we say, we have fellowship with Him. This is a bold statement and must be backed up with actions
And Walk in darkness. Out of the will of God, who is light.
Do not the truth. Truth is not only what one says but what he does.
V 7. If we walk . . . as he is in the light. God is light; we walk in the fellowship of light.
The requirement for fellowship is to let the light reveal right and wrong and then to respond to that light continually.
The Christian never becomes light until his body is changed, but he must walk in response to light while here on earth. …Two consequences follow – first, fellowship, then cleansing.
Fellowship one with another. The reference is to our brethren and not to God,
And. The cleansing of Christians is a consequence of walking in the light; and indicates a second result of walking in the light.
Blood of Jesus Christ. In both OT and NT blood stands for death-usually a violent one.
Cleanseth us. Walking in the light shows up our sins and frailties; so we need constant cleansing, and this is available on the basis of the death of Christ. it refers to the cleansing in sanctification.
From all sin. Sin is singular, indicating the principle of sin, but the addition of all shows that it has many forms.
Confession of Sin. V 8. - 10. The mention of cleansing from sin in verse 7 leads to the thought of this section.
1) Confession of the Belief of Sin. V 8.
If we say, The second of three false professions in this chapter
No sin. The phrase to have sin is peculiar to John in the NT. It refers to the nature, principle, or root of sin, rather than to the act.
The consequences of not confessing that we have sin are two:
(1) we deceive ourselves, literally, lead ourselves astray, doing for ourselves what Satan endeavours to do for us;
(2) the truth is not in us; we shut out the light and live in an atmosphere of self-made darkness.
2) Confession of Particular Sins. V 9. To admit the truth of verse 8 may not cost much, but to do what is required in verse 9 may. Confess, says the same thing. "Having the same idea of vision that God has.
But it is not a mere outward gesture rather, it includes forsaking, for that is God's attitude for us concerning sin.
The confession is to God.
Faithful and just, God keeps His word and is just in all his actions, including the way He forgives sins, which is on the basis of the death of his Son.
Forgive , .. cleanse. Forgiveness is absolution from sin's punishment, and cleansing is absolution from sin's pollution.
3) Confession of Personal Sins. V 10.
One may admit the truths of verses 8 and 9 in the first place, but never admit being personally involved in sin.
If we say, This is the third false profession.
Have not sinned refers to the act of sin, not the state, as in l: 8.
Make him a liar, Because everywhere God says man has sinned.
His word is not in us. The word of God in both OT and NT.
So fellowship depends on responding to the standard of light and realizing our sinful state.
The victorious Christian life is a life of no unconfessed sins; and genuine confession includes forsaking, and so helps growth in our life.
News from the Church New dates
4th December …..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people.)
18th December….. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
22nd December….. Carol Service at 6-30pm
25th December….. Christmas day Service. 10-00 am This is a 45 minute service so you can get back
to preparing the dinner
ANSWERS TO 10th November QUESTIONS
1) Went to the vineyard 2) Elijah 3) Hast thou found me 4) I will bring evil upon thee 5) No
6) In a fight over Ramoth-gilead 7) To disguise himself 8 ) No 9) How long halt ye between two opinions 10). No one spoke anything 11) The Lord He is God 12) Cake and water 13) Rise and eat you have a long journey 14) Elisha 15) Elisha 16) In a whirlwind
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is about Josiah, Esther and Mordecai
1 In the 18th year of Josiah’s reign they held the greatest …………WHAT?
2 What is the Bibles verdict about Josiah?
3 How did Josiah get entangle with the war in which he died?
4 What Prophet lamented for Josiah?
5 During his reign who was the greatest Prophet?
6 Which other Prophet foretold the reign of Josiah?
7 Did the nation follow God in the reign of Josiah?
8 What did the kings subjects think about his death?
9 What request did Esther make to the Kingl?
10 Why did Haman erect a gallows?
11 What happened at the Queens banquet?
12 What was the sequel for Haman?
13 How did Esther secure a cancellation of the destruction of the Jews?
14 Which is the longest verse in the Bible?
15 Twice we read of letters being sent in the post, WHEN?
16 What honour did the King give to Mordecai?
God Bless