Page 126 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Study Section 15: The letters of John

15.1 Connect

Have you ever encountered a false teacher? How did you know he/she was a false teacher?
What comes to mind when you hear that so and so is a false teacher? Probably this
generation is dealing more with the rise of prophetic ministry outside Scripture, most of
which are in occultic groups disguising themselves in Christian names. Coupled with the false
prophetic ministry, is the preaching of prosperity gospel. At the core of such false teaching is
the intent, why is someone teaching falsehood in the face of the known truth? Some of these false
teachings are aimed at the people’s emotions (propaganda), to get people decide what to follow based
on how they feel, not logic. Throughout history we have seen false teachers of all kinds. At the center of
the intent is self (manipulating people to earning oneself a big name, big money, big influence, and big
favor). Standard for determining falsehood is the Bible and how that teacher publicly lives out the true
teachings of the Scriptures. Be decerning enough to deal with the false teachers in your own life. Jesus
dealt with false teachers in the Pharisees and Sadducees. Paul dealt with false teachers in the Judaizers.
Pater dealt with false teachers who denied the second coming of Christ. Jude dealt with false teachers
who through false revelations taught that there is enough grace to be forgiven of sin, so they promoted
deliberate sinful living. John also deals with false teachers as well. Let’s begin…

15. 2 Objectives

1. The student shall be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the authors of John’s Epistles
2. The student shall be able to locate when and where the books were written.

3. The student shall be able to name the recipients of the books.

4. The student shall be able to describe the occasions under which the books were written.

5. The student shall be able to describe the themes and purposes of the books.

6. The student shall be able to explain the structures and outlines of the books.
7. The student shall be able to demonstrate mastery of the atmospheres at the time of the writing of the
books.

8. The student shall be able to name the key passages in the books.

9. The student shall be able to recite the key words in the books.

15.3 The First Epistle of John: Living in Love

There are three epistles of John in this section. The first is larger and the third is smaller than
all. We will begin with his first letter. In this letter, John speaks against false teachers who
questioned Jesus’ divine and human nature. His response is loud and clear: Jesus is fully God
and fully man. This is not some obscure theological debate; John knows that if his readers get
this teaching wrong, everything else falls apart. Because Jesus became human, He was a true

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