.
This week’s “Wednesday Word” is a summary of Dr. Wellum’s overview of the Letters of John given on Sunday, July 5, 2009.
This week we began a new study on the letters of John which will take place for the next two months. Our goal today was to introduce the letters and to begin our study by looking at 1 John 1:1-4. Throughout the history of the church, it has been common to think that the apostle John was the author of all three letters. There is no reason to doubt this, even though it must be admitted that similar to the letter of Hebrews, the letters of John do not state who the author is. Nonetheless, the opening verses of 1 John clearly identify the author with the apostolic eyewitnesses of Jesus and thus distinguish him from later or second-generation Christians. In addition, many themes in the letters correspond to the Gospel of John thus linking the letters and the Gospel together. Assuming that the author is the apostle John, it is best to date these letters at the end of the 1st century, as John encourages local churches to hold fast to the Gospel and faithfully to live it out in their respective areas.
Most acknowledge that lurking behind the letters is a growing heresy known as Gnosticism. At this point in time, Gnosticism was in the early stages, but it was beginning to have its effect upon the church. Gnosticism is a complicated view but at its heart it is a syncretistic viewpoint which denies every point of Christian truth. If believed it would downplay and re-interpret the importance of the doctrine of creation, sin, salvation, and a Christian understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. With its de-emphasizing the importance of the physical realm, it went onto deny a true incarnation and viewed Jesus as only having the appearance of a man. That is why John, in the opening verses of 1 John, clearly emphasizes that the apostles saw, heard, and touched the Lord who had taken upon our human nature in order to redeem us from the effects of sin upon us. In addition in 1 John 4:2, John makes it very clear that anyone denies that Christ has come in the flesh is antichrist. Today, even though heresies come and go, we need to stand vigilantly for the truth of the Gospel and the faith once delivered unto the saints.
Probably one of the greatest contributions of 1 John is to help us reflect on Christian assurance by laying down three interrelated tests for us to think through regarding our Christian lives and commitment. If we are truly made alive by God’s Spirit, then we will gladly affirm the truth of the Gospel, have a life which desires to please God, and love God and his people. Asking whether these three areas are true of us, at least in some small and growing fashion, is crucial in helping us discern where we are in our Christian lives and whether our profession is indeed genuine.
As we study these letters over the next two months, make it your prayer that God’s Word will transform your lives so that we will be lovers of the truth of God’s Word, those who desire above all else to please our great and gracious God, and those who truly love the Lord and his people will all our heart, soul, mind, and strength – for his glory and our good.
SJW