The book of 1 st john is a general epistle apostolic letter. Traditionally, the authorship of 1, 2, and 3 john has been ascribed to the apostle, john son of zebedee, who also was understood to be the author of the gospel of john and revelation. John 1 background information with maps and images. This is not a book you will race through on a single plane trip. The first epistle of john, often referred to as first john and written 1 john or i john, is the first. Jan 02, 2020 however, all the evidence points to the author as john the beloved disciple who also wrote the gospel of john. In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. Paul referred to peter, james, and john as the pillars of the church in jerusalem.
It explains the fellowship we have with others and with jesus christ. This ascetic form of gnosticism is the background of part of the letter to the colossians see col 2. This article also serves as the introduction and background material to our bible study series in the gospel of john. The gospel of john was written to prove that jesus christ is the son of god. Eastern feast days may 8 and september 26, in christian tradition, an apostle of jesus and the author of three letters, the fourth gospel, and possibly the revelation to john in the new testament. It appears that john was a disciple of john the baptist until he was called to follow jesus at the outset of the lords ministry. The book of 2 john would most likely have been written at about the same time as john s other letters, 1 and 3 john, between a. He proclaimed the good news about jesus to the recipients of this letter, saying so that you too may have fellowship with us. The book of 1 john contains some of the bibles most beautiful descriptions of god and his unfailing love. In order to help you dive in more deeply and get a feel for what all is going on underneath the surface of the book, we wanted to give you some background and introductory information on 1 john. It is written by the discipleapostle john around 8595 a.
Paradoxically, this dualism also led to licentiousness. The three books share the same writing style, however, and so are likely from the same hand. Since no mention is made of the persecution under domitian, which began about a. Yet only onethe gospel of john claims to be an eyewitness account, the testimony of the unnamed disciple whom jesus loved. It is also safe to say that john was a jew, this can be clearly seen by his accuracy about jewish customs, jewish way of thinking, and by his quotations from the hebrew old testament. Based on the language in john chapter 1 it is believed that john was probably the unnamed disciple of john the baptist.
When we study an epistle, such as the book of james, we can usually find more background information about the audience and sometimes about the authors interaction with the audience in the book of acts. In the book of john, that we do not see in the other gospels is the conversation of jesus with nicodemus, the conversation with the woman of. Background general features luke is the only gospel with a sequel, and the only gospel which takes us from jesus birth to resurrection luke is the longest gospel. If taken at face value, however, they make a significant contribution to the authority with which the author speaks. He shows us that jesus, though fully god, came in the flesh to distinctly and accurately reveal god, and that christ is the source of eternal life to all who believe in him. Letters of john, three new testament writings, all composed sometime around ad 100 and traditionally attributed to john the evangelist, son of zebedee and disciple of jesus. Introduction to 1 john the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. No other book of the bible talks about love as often as first john. Notes 1 the book went through two to three stages, or editions, before reaching its current form, at the latest, around ad 80100. History of john the disciple of jesus jesus christ. This does have the advantage of still relying on eyewitness testimony. Introduction to the gospel of luke study resources. His father was a lawyer and small landowner who had fought on the parliamentarian side during the english civil wars of the 1640s. Intro to john biblica the international bible society.
Second and third john present the closest approximation in the nt to the conve. The gospel of john is one of the most intriguing books of the bible. The content, style, and vocabulary seem to warrant the conclusion that these three epistles were addressed to the same readers as the gospel of john. The john of revelation does associate himself with the prophets 22. However, several references point to a gentile audience, such as the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors 1. Within this gospel is the most profound expressions of the deity of jesus christ and the most concrete statements on the humanity of jesus of nazareth. The book of romans introduces the epistles letters of the apostle paul in the new testament. Because of this lack of specific information in the letter itself, the attempt to. It is the first and largest in a series of 3 epistles that bear the apostle john s name. Kummel argues that the gospel and the letter are from the same author introduction to the new testament, pp. A number of reasons were involved in writing 1 john. The epistle and johns gospel reflect similar vocabulary and manner of.
This say a lot about the man john, and the fact that jesus left his mother mary in john s care, having spoken the words from the cross, is very significant. Book report background information for teachers and parents. The gospel of john has many touches that appear to reflect the recollections of an eyewitnesssuch as the house at bethany being filled with the fragrance of the broken perfume jar see12. This short work was written before john was exiled to the island of patmos, and before he wrote the book of revelation. John 4 background information with maps and images picture. By the close of the book you cannot think of information as you might have before. But since eusebius wished to attribute the book of revelation to a different john than the author of the gospel, his. Book of john overview insight for living ministries. We find this important background information on the book of james in acts 8. It should lead us out of sin, knowing that god could only be faithful and just to forgive us our sins because the wrath we deserved was poured out on the sin. The books also address deceivers who spread false teachings and fear rather than love. Outline of the gospel of john here is the incredible news of the most exciting event in the universe.
Regarding this, ellis said that luke 1 2 and acts 1 12 contain a pervasive semitic colouring. Background on the gospel of john the gospel of john is one of the most intriguing books of the bible. As he did in his gospel, john stated with clarity the purpose of his first letter. He foresaw the coming babylonian captivity of judah because of this. If taken at face value, however, they make a significant contribution to. Book of first john overview insight for living ministries. Studying 1 john can help you become more discerning of false teachings about jesus christ.
Many contemporary biblical scholars believe that the writer of the letters was not the author of the gospel. Because of this lack of specific information in the letter itself, the attempt to understand something of the background and setting of the johannine letters is related to two other areas which also require discussion. Introduction to the gospel of john study resources. The fruit of fellowship with christ i write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of god so that you may know that you have eternal life. But no external evidence of any kind supports this theory. The first epistle of john, often referred to as first john and written 1 john or i john, is the first of the johannine epistles of the new testament, and the fourth of the catholic epistles. The second epistle of john, often referred to as second john and often written 2 john or ii john, is a book of the new testament attributed to john the evangelist, traditionally thought to be the author of the other two epistles of john, and the gospel of john though this is disputed. John did not include the nativity story in his gospel. Since the body was considered evil, it was to be treated harshly.
The author of the first epistle is termed john the evangelist, who most scholars believe is not the same as john the apostle. Since the author of 1 john seems to build on concepts and themes found in the fourth gospel see 1jn 2. John 1 john 2 john 3 john revelation only paul authored more new testament books than john. This view is the background of much of 1 john see 1. Tim wu, slate gleick is wrestling with truly profound material, and so will the reader. Near the end of the 1st century, john was exiled to the island of patmos. Book report background information for teachers, parents and caregivers grade levels. To learn the history of john, the disciple of jesus, we begin with his life before he met jesus. In the book of john, christ speaks of god as the father over 100 times. Outline of the book of i john floral heights church of christ. This ascetic form of gnosticism is the background of part of the letter to the colossians col 2.
John dewey american philosopher and educator britannica. Invoking the in the beginning language of genesis 1. Recommended books for the study of early christian writings. In the book of john, we find that jesus ministry altogether was approximately 3 1 2 years. The gospels, the first four books of the new testament, tell the story of the life of jesus. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. K3 this page provides information to support educators and families in teaching k3 students about book reports. Intro to 1 john biblica the international bible society. The relationship of 1 john to the fourth gospel has been the subject of much scholarly debate. Another indicator of johns character is found in the book of 1 john, he continually talks about love, loving one another, and that god is love, etc. The book of psalms is a collection of 150 lyric poems.
The key personalities are the apostles peter and paul. This john later became influential among asiatic churches. John was a fisherman by trade, along with his brother, james, and their father. Aug 25, 2015 we are so excited to embark on a versebyverse journey through 1 john, one of the 3 letters that were written by the apostle john. Studies from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd john bible study guide. Jun 25, 2019 he had ministered to the church in ephesus. It is the longest of pauls letters, and the most indepth in addressing the central beliefs of the christian church. The book of 2 john would most likely have been written at about the same time as johns other letters, 1 and 3 john, between a. Although 1 john does not exhibit some of the general.
The structure of lukes gospel begins with the exordium, followed by the births of john the baptist and jesus 1. It will be assumed in the course of this study that the author is john, the beloved disciple of jesus 2. Since the letter identifies no specific church, location, or individual to whom it was sent, its classification is as a general epistle. These three books are often referred to as letters, though only 1 and 2 john truly fit that description. Early writers such as irenaeus and tertullian say that john wrote this gospel, and all other evidence agrees see introduction to 1 john. This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true john 21. General introduction overview suppose you are heavily involved in some cause or movement. John never refers to himself directly in the book that bears his name. The first person plural pronouns which characterize the prologue 1 john 1. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul.
As an eyewitness to the love and power displayed in the miracles of jesus, john gives us an upclose and personal look at christs identity. John wrote to churches full of people who had struggled with discouragementwhether due to their own sinful failures or the presence of false teachers in their midst. Luke and acts constitutes 24% of the nt luke is the only gospel with a sequel. Isaiah prophesied during the period of the divided kingdom, directing the major thrust of his message to the southern kingdom of judah. Acts 10, 43 all the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in. The book of 2 john is an urgent plea that the readers of john s letter should show their love for god and his son jesus by obeying the commandment to love each other. Its purpose was to warn about the increasing threat of false teachings and to reassure christians of their faith. The apostle john is the author of the gospel of john, 1, 2, and 3 john and revelation. It is the first and largest in a series of 3 epistles that bear the apostle johns name. A date of about ad 90, with john writing from his exile on patmos, ends up being the best proposition.
It differentiates between happiness, which is temporary and fleeting, and true joy, which 1 john tells us how to achieve. This summary of the book of 1 john provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 john. It is the most poetic and philosophical writing in. In the introduction to 1 john in the niv study bible, donald w.
Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. About one in every 50 words is a form of lovethat makes for about 52 mentions of love in just five short chapters. It is the second in a series of 3 epistles that bear the apostle john s name. Injustice is rampant, the righteous are surrounded by the wicked, the law is powerless, and god doesnt seem to care about the plight of his people 1.
Study the bible online using commentary on 1 john introduction and more. John, his brother james, peter, and andrew were all partners in the fishing business before they became disciples of jesus. The gospel of john presents a unique perspective on jesus. It was the spirits purpose to keep the church always expecting christ as ready to. The author of the first letter is not identified, but the writer of the second and third calls himself presbyter elder. These factors suggest that john wrote the book between ad 85 and ad 95. Similarities between this epistle and the gospel of john certainly suggests internal evidence. Us, according to eusebius ecclesiastical history, 5. I john 15 before we can appreciate its i john message fully, or feel the force of its searching analysis in our lives, we need to know a little about why these letters came. John encourages believers that jesus was jehovah god who had come in the flesh, that god is light and he encourages christians to walk in the light by keeping his commandments, and the main commandment was to love god and love one another. There is no scholarly consensus as to the authorship of the johannine works. It provides instruction, inspiration, motivation, and consolation. It is the most poetic and philosophical writing in the new testament.
John the apostle, also called saint john the evangelist or saint john the divine, flourished 1st century ce. Bible study introduction to the book of 1 john learn religions. Most scholars believe the three johannine epistles have the same author, but there is no consensus if this. After the resurrection of jesus, john continued to play an instrumental role in the early church. Dionysius noted that john did not name himself in his epistles, not even in the second and third epistles, although they are short.
In this article we will present some background information regarding the psalms which hopefully will help the bible student as he considers the grand truths of this old testament document. Luke then covers john s ministry and the preparation of jesus ministry 3. Existence of a john of jerusalem who had access into the high priests house was first proposed by h. Because of this neglect, john elliott referred to 1 peter as an exegetical stepchild. The two brothers, james and john, were called the sons of thunder by christ. John is found with peter going to the temple when peter healed the crippled man acts 3. Polycarp, the disciple of john epistle to the philippians, 7, quotes 1 john 4. Another indicator of john s character is found in the book of 1 john, he continually talks about love, loving one another, and that god is love, etc. As a result both men went before the sanhedrin acts 4.
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