Bible Discussion Thread

INTRODUCTION TO 1 JOHN (Part 6):

VI. ABOUT 3 JOHN:

Here's another "Heavy enlightenment." 3 John was written shortly after 2 John. Don't ask me how I figured that out!

This letter was written to instruct the church about the responsibilities of genuine hospitality.

VII. ABOUT THE THEME AND STYLE OF JOHN'S LETTERS:

John's main theme is to correct the doctrine of the humanity of Jesus Christ.

And let me just say to you what is the correct doctrine of Jesus Christ. Number 1, He is 100% God, and 100% man, when He came.

When John wrote his gospel, he presented the deity of Jesus Christ, that He was God come in human form. In 1 John, he's presenting the humanity of Jesus Christ, that is, the human form that God came in.

When you put the two together, the gospel of John and 1 John, then you have the doctrine of Jesus Christ, which John mentions in 2 John that if they do not have the doctrine of Jesus Christ, do not let them into your home.

The subtheme is the assurance of salvation for genuine believers. John presents these themes in factual statements rather than generalizations. He comes right out and tells you, "If you're saying this, but you're doing this, you're not saved." That's just the way it is, no gray area!

I John contains a series of conditional phrases describing the differences between doctrinal truth and error, as well as contrasting a genuine believer with a false one.