62) The Book of 1st John

FIRST JOHN, as the previoui four epistles, generally focuses upon the end times when many antichrists shall appear (2:18; 4:3), but First John also contains truths for born again believers in Jesus Christ (3:1-3; 5:1-5). John apparently wrote his epistles, gospel, and Revelation of the Lord Jesus after a complete revelation and understanding of the New Testament. The writings of John the Apostle were the last writings of the New Testament.

As the beloved disciple of the Lord Jesus, John portrayed the church (John 21:20-23). The purposes of this first epistle were for a complete assurance and knowledge of salvation by the written record of God's word (5:7-13) and for the proper methods of fellowship and joy in the Lord Jesus ( 1:3-10). True fellowship with the Lord Jesus stems from a pure and sincere desire of holy living through the Scriptures (l :5-10). An outstanding mark of maturity is spiritual discretion of truth and error (4:1-6).

John clearly revealed that the new birth in Christ stems from a belief or faith in Jesus Christ alone (John 1:12-13; 1 Cor. 4:15; I John 5:1-5). Growth in grace is a process throughout the born again believer's lifetime (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18). Every believer should have a complete knowledge of the new birth and eternal life that accompanies it. The words know and knoweth occur over thirty times in the 5 chapters and 105 verses of this epistle. The B-I-B-L-E means Be Informed Before Leaving Earth.