John\s Letters Essays - Christology, Pneumatology, Triple Deities

John's first letter was written mainly due to the rise of Gnosticism in his day. Gnostics were teaching that knowledge was superior to virtue. They taught there was no resurrection, that only a select few could understand scripture, and that the incarnation of Christ was impossible. John wrote his letter to emphasize that the incarnation was real and out of concern for the spiritual welfare of the church. In the first chapter, John affirms that Jesus was the Son of God and the ?Life.? The evidence of this was that he had seen him, heard him, and handled him. He says that he wrote to them, in order that they might have fellowship with him in the belief of this truth, and might partake of the joy which comes from the doctrine that the Son of God has actually come in the flesh. John?s message is that God is light and that if we say that we have fellowship with him we must walk in the light. John points out that no one can say that they have not sinned; but God is faithful and just to cl eanse us from all unrighteousness if we confess our sins. In chapter two, John shows that we have an advocate with the Father who is Jesus. Jesus is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. John emphasizes the old and new commandment that we should walk in the light, which is Jesus, and love the brethren. John warns against antichrists, and to continue to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, by which we are able to discern all men, and know all things necessary to our salvation. In the third chapter, John shows us the love of God towards mankind. We who are saved are the sons of God, and for this reason the world does not appreciate us, or understand us. Christ was manifested to take away our sins. The children of God are known by the holiness of their lives, the children of the devil by the sinfulness of theirs. We should love one another; as Christ laid down his life for us, we to should lay down our lives for the brethren. John shows the necessity of keeping the commandment of Christ, so that He may dwell in us and us in Him by His Spirit. In chapter four, John warns that we must not believe every teacher who comes to preach. We are to try the spirits. Those who deny that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh have the spirit of antichrist. Emphasis is again placed on Jesus being the Son of God as testified by the apostles. The apostles testified that God sent His Son to be the Savior of the world; and God dwelt in those who confessed this truth. John closes his letter by presenting more evidence that Jesus is the Son of God. The witness of the Spirit, the record borne in heaven, the evidence borne on earth, by the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the fact that whoever believes on the Son of God has the witness in him, are presented as evidence. John concludes by saying all this was written so we might know that we have eternal life, and might believe on the name of the Savior.