Bible Survey: 1 John

The theme of 1 John is fellowship, and its key verse is But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7). The apostle John writes as a father to his little children, and it is one of the most intimate letters in the Bible.

John wrote his Gospel that ye might believe (John 20:31). He wrote this letter so that believers could be sure: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life (1 John 5:13). Many new Christians need that verse, especially those who come out of a religion that never offered assurance.

John also wrote that ye sin not (1 John 2:1). A new convert should not be told he will simply go on sinning. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1), and If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Christ is the propitiation not for a select few, but for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

How can we know we are saved? John gives three proofs. We keep His commandments: And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments (1 John 2:3). We love the brethren: We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren (1 John 3:14). And His Spirit dwells in us (1 John 4:13). Alongside them comes a warning: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world (1 John 2:15).

False teachers even then denied that Christ had really come in the flesh, so John says to try the spirits whether they are of God (1 John 4:1). Calling yourself spiritual is not the same as being saved. But greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

This is the last of the Bible Survey lessons.

Taught by Brother James Barker in Sunday School at Naples Independent Baptist Church, June 27, 2021. Watch the lesson.